Swedish Witches and Easter

Image source: http://earthyphotography.com/easter-in-sweden/

Are you tired from the weekend's festivitites?  Well be glad that you didn't have to fly to Blåkulla (Blue Hill) on a broom like a witch and back in time for Easter! Huh, wha'?  Well in Sweden the old beliefs still intertwine with the Christian ones, in this case the belief that witches are active this time of year.  I never myself dressed up as a cute little witch to get candy from neighbors but I know many who did, and certainly American-Swedes still get a kick out of the tradition.  (The kids look so sweet in their scarves, freckles, and aprons.  Not sure how they actually ressemble witches.) But check out this video I found on YouTube for more.

Happy Spring!

What did we do for Easter?  Well we had a great big potluck party and went to church on Sunday. There was the Swedish tree (called påsk ris) with egg decorations and feathers that the cats went crazy over, and many eggs to decorate.  We had jelly bean trails and chocolate for the kids.  It was a lovely and busy weekend.  We cleaned the whole house which is similar to old Swedish traditions. Luckily one of the old traditions we don't carry on is hitting people with branches on the Friday before Easter, something they used to do in Sweden to remind people of Jesus's strife.  Now the branches just look pretty.  At least the cats and I think so. ;)

Image source: http://delishhh.com/2010/03/31/easter-traditions

Påsk- Easter in Sweden

Hello, it's snowing outside (kid you not) but the household is still intent on Easter and celebrating it to the max!  Here's some interesting information on Easter (påsk) in Sweden.  Personally I am looking forward to "Dymmelonsdag" (otherwise known as "hump day") because I like the sound of it. Have a good week - the countdown has begun!

Svarta måndag 
In the old days this day was called Black Monday because it was the day when chimneys were swept. 

Vita tisdag 
Tuesday was called White Tuesday because the chimneys had been cleaned and were nice and white. 

Dymmelonsdag 
Exactly why it is called “dymmel” and what a “dymmel" is remains unclear. But on Wednesdays everybody had to be quiet to observe Easter, and a little wooden clapper was put on all the bells of the churches. Such a thing is called a “dymbil” and perhaps that’s why it is called “dymmelonsdag”. Also, the old Nordic word for quiet is “dumb” and it might derive from that. 

Skärtorsdag 
Maundy Thursday in Swedish is called "Skärtorsdag" but has nothing to do with the Swedish color for pink (skär). In this case “skär” is an old word for cleansing and cleaning as Jesus washed the feet of his apostles. Skärtorsdagen is also the day of the Last Supper. It was a dangerous day to be out, because the old spirits had been let loose (when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus). Skärtorsdag’s night was the time to get engaged with the devil. He usually appeared at road crossings, and you could sign a contract with him that in exchange for riches, he would get your soul. Contracts like these have actually been found; the people who signed them were executed. 

Långfredag 
Good Friday was of course the day Jesus was crucified. As you can hear in the Swedish word for the day, it was a long (lång) day, and painful. In remembrance of Jesus, fasting was especially important this day, and it has been a holiday in Sweden since the 17th century. Until 1969, public entertainment was prohibited on this day in Sweden. Everything was closed, including movie theaters and restaurants. 

Check this link for more http://www.nordstjernan.com/news/traditions/6318/

Poppytalk and Easter

Hi, sharing my new favorite blog with you today.  Check out http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/.  Gorg hand crafted items that you can buy on etsy and other crafty online sites plus a great blog full of DIY ideas (that I don't have time to do, but can plan for in the future).  I was searching around for Easter DIY and found it.

Every year we dye eggs but I thought I'd try to do something a little different this year with decoupage perhaps or some patterns.  I typically make a funky looking forsythia tree that hubby likes to laugh at with hanging eggs and fluffy feathers.  It's a lovely Swedish tradition that ushers spring in even when it's minus 10 degrees Celsius outside, which according to my cousin Sanna it is right now in Southern Sweden. ( Ouch!  That's 14 degrees Fahrenheit).  Don't laugh though, Martha Stewart gets it too. See easter egg tree for a simple how-to.