Palm Sunday witches

Among the customs for Palm Sunday -- which is called Pussy Willow Sunday in places where palms are rare and pussy willows serve the purpose for the processions in church -- is that of a sort of mini-Halloween in Finland.  Children dress as rather adorable witches and go about the neighborhood for candy and coins.

The Swedish version takes place on Holy Thursday, when, according to a tradition that may even predate Christianity, they say that the witches fly off to dance with the devil. People would light bonfires to keep the witches away on their journey to and fro. Presumably the treats given to the children are bribes to keep the witches out of the house.

The Easter card shows witches riding a ram and a cat, not the sort of image one associates with the Pasch in most places.