An Egyptian called Pancrace who took a broomstick and dressed it as a man. By the use of Magic formulae, the broom behaved in normal human fashion, guided by the sorcerer. Walt Disney in his film Fantasia includes this tale.
http://witchesofthecraft.com/tag/besom-broom/
http://www.controverscial.com/The%20Besom%20(Broom).htm
Midwives of ancient Rome used special brooms to sweep the threshold of the house after childbirth to cut the ties between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, as it was believed that the child had entered from the world of the dead and the pathway should not be made easy for a quick return. As part of the Athenian festival, the souls of the dead visited the houses of the living and were received hospitality, but then driven out by a through sweeping of the house with a broom.
Crafters trained thirty years ago still used this type of communication among themselves.
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Courtesy of -
http://www.amazon.ca/Solitary-Witch-Ultimate-Shadows-Generation/dp/0738703192
The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation This book has everything a teen Witch could want and need between two covers: a magickal cookbook, encyclopedia, dictionary, and grimoire. It relates specifically to today's young adults and their concerns, yet is grounded in the magickal work of centuries past.