Magic Symbols that begin with "B"

Bat

Bats are frequently associated with death and rebirth. An upside down hanging position, such as the bat assumes when roosting, is seen as symbolic for learning to transpose one's former self into a newborn being. Thus the bat's appearance may signify the need for transformations, for letting go of old habits or ways of life and adopting new ones. Bat shows how change is necessary although it can be painful to let go of the past. As an animal of night and the dark it can also guide people through the darkness of confusion and help them face their fears. It is sometimes said to grant the gift of clear hearing and of 'listening between the lines'.

Besom or Broom

The Besom, or Broom, plays a symbolic role in Wiccan practice. Derived from European witchcraft folklore of broom dancing and flying, the broom is used today for symbolic cleansing or purification. A typical besom ritual uses the broom to "sweep" negative energy from a home or other space. The besom/broom is also a focal point in Wiccan handfasting marriages, where it acts as a stand-in threshold, which newlyweds jump to cement their vows and ensure many children.

Blair Witch

A five-pointed compound symbol with a center triangel (see below) pointing down. The five lines resemble the microcosmic man with arms and legs outstretched inside a circle (with a pentagram in the background)-- a magic symbol or charm among medieval alchemists and wizards.

Blessing Moon

The Blessing Moon refers to the blessings of the sacred marriages of earth and sky, or dark and light, or the King and Queen of summer.

Boline

The Boline or Bolline is a small, sickle shaped knife used to gather herbs used in rituals and spells. The sickle shaped knife can be traced to Druid mistletoe customs, and is a lunar tool. In Scottish paths, it is sometimes called a kerfan, after the traditional dagger.

Butterfly

Butterflies symbolize witches and fairies, but also the souls of witches. Butterflies and witches have the ability to change their form—butterflies change in the course of their development—witches allegedly can change at will. Some people who view the butterfly as the soul of a witch believe that, if they can find her body and turn it around while she is asleep, the soul will not be able to find her mouth and reenter, and the witch will probably die. This concept of the soul may serve to explain why many medieval angels have butterfly wings rather than those of a bird.