Hand Painted Halloween Postcard With Witch Broom And Black Cat

The imagery of a witch riding a broomstick, often accompanied by a black cat, has deep roots in European folklore, becoming a prominent visual during the witch trials of the early modern period, particularly from the 15th century onward. The broomstick symbolized domesticity perverted, while black cats were frequently associated with witches as familiars—supernatural companions believed to aid in magical practices and often seen as omens of misfortune or embodiments of evil spirits.