359 – Bramble Whisk

Physical description:

A bundle of bramble (blackberry) twigs with burnt ends. Bound with thin willow withies, and with the binding then coated with wax.

Museum classification:

Working Tools

Size:

420 x 95 x 85

Information:

Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'Witch's whisk made of dried out blackberry stems and with the end bound to form a handle. Here in the south west when a witch decides to make magic she first selects a spot or place where she will work, be the chosen place inside or out. The next thing to be done is that of cleansing the chosen spot of all evil forces. This is where the bundle of blackberry twigs comes in. She sets a light to the twigs and with them smouldering, burning and making smoke, she dances and weaves her way in and around and around over and over again. So this is one might call it: "a witch's devil scarer".'

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Wood (bramble and willow); wax

Copyright ownership:

MWM

Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'Witch's whisk made of dried out blackberry stems and with the end bound to form a handle. Here in the south west when a witch decides to make magic she first selects a spot or place where she will work, be the chosen place inside or out. The next thing to be done is that of cleansing the chosen spot of all evil forces. This is where the bundle of blackberry twigs comes in. She sets a light to the twigs and with them smouldering, burning and making smoke, she dances and weaves her way in and around and around over and over again. So this is one might call it: "a witch's devil scarer".'