While it does not usually touch the ground, it is used to "sweep out" the negative energies in a room, and is often held a few inches above the ground to do so. As a tool, the besom is usually thought of as masculine in nature due to its phallic shape and symbolism. However the besom's components are of both masculine and feminine orientation.[7][better source needed] The handle, an ash stave, is masculine in nature while the birch used for the bristles is thought of as feminine in nature.