Jumping the Broom is used to symbolize a new beginning, sweeping away the old, leaving the past and stepping into a new life of husband and wife.
The wooden handle of the broom represents the strength of the commitment and the strength of Spirit’s presence in the hand-fasting.
The ribbons represent the tying together of two lives.
And the jump symbolizes joyfully taking the leap into hand-fasted life together.
So, as a couple jump over the broom, leaving the sacred ceremony space, they begin their hand-fasted life together in the everyday world. We ask that they carry with them all of the hopes and possibilities of the promises made before their witnesses.
And often the couple like to invite any other couples attending, who would like to reaffirm their vows by jumping the broom, to come to the front and follow them over the broom as they leave the ceremony.