Rolig Påsk, You Witch!


I came across this facsimile of an early twentieth-century Swedish Easter card on eBay while searching for a particular chromolithograph I want of a witch flying up a chimney. (I still haven’t located the print.) The painting is by Adèle Söderberg.


Witches at Easter? Who knew? Turns out there’s a tradition in Sweden of children dressing up as freckled crones (or perhaps something complementary, if they’re boys) and going door to door on Maundy Thursday, exchanging small Easter cards for goodies, frequently candy-filled eggs. The custom references old beliefs that witches flew up their chimneys on that day—think Last Supper—to rendezvous with the devil at Blåkulla—Blue Hill—for an extended revel. Per tradition, they would take a coffee kettle with them. Little treat seekers in Sweden today still collect their booty in kettles.


For me, the telephone wires complete the charm of this image of a witch pausing for a pick-me-up. I’m reminded of the witches seen riding electric carpet sweepers on American cards and magazine covers of the era.


As a collector of Halloween cards, I find the idea of children presenting a card to get their candy delightful. The next time I “do it up” for the holiday, I may see if I can’t get something started ....


Read more about the Easter witch.

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