Easter Witch, a Witchy Wednesday article.

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Well Easter is nearly here! So firstly let me take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Easter weekend and Springtime blessings. I hope you have have a lovely long weekend enjoying good company, good food and maybe  chocolate egg hunts or two! 

The Easter Witch 

Easter is often associated with rabbits, chicks, lambs and of course eggs. But in some countries such as Sweden and Finland Easter is also associated with Witches. 



Just before Easter in Sweden and Finland there is a tradition for children to dress up as Witches. Very similar to Halloween's trick or treating the children go from door to door wishing their neighbours a happy Easter and handing out handmade cards in return for sweets and treats. The tradition of dressing as Witches goes back to the 19th century though during this time it was generally done by teenagers and young adults. 

The reason behind this tradition is based on an ancient Scandinavian legend. Around the time of Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Good Friday, it was said that Witches would ride off on their brooms to the island of Blåkulla. Where it was reported they would gather together, feast and dance with the Devil! Villagers worried by this event of 'Witches Night' would lock away brooms and their cattle for fear of witches using them for transport. They also worried that witches would also drink their milk! As a deterrent they would also light bonfires to keep the witches away! Even now many centuries later villages often organise bonfires and firework displays over Easter weekend to commemorate this tradition. 

In Sweden for example it is a common tradition for children to dress up as witches at Easter time. The tradition has its roots in the 17th-century, during which time many women were persecuted and executed for Witchcraft.














More on Easter Witches. 

Please visit these websites for more information on the traditions and folklore on Easter Witches and the connection witchcraft beliefs play with biblical stories.

As the content is about history and folklore some content might not be suitable for younger children. I always advise visiting before showing younger readers. I am not responsible for external links. 

https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1889922_1890008_1889927,00.html

https://daily.jstor.org/the-easter-witches-of-sweden/

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/happy-easter-here-come-the-witches/

https://finland.fi/life-society/wandering-witches-welcome-finnish-easter


Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

🐣🐤🐇🐰🐣🐤🐇🐰🐣🐤🐇🐰🐣🐤🐇

I will be having a little holiday break next week so WW will be back in two weeks time on the 30th of April. 

Kat 😊

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