from the Chronicles of Celtic Folk Customs, by Brian Day Palm Sunday, Sunday immediately preceding Easter CELTIC When Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey he was greeted by cheering people waving palms. In the Celtic lands, where palms will not readily grow, catkin-bearing willows like sallow (or Pussy Willow) or other available greenery were used as symbols, decorations and buttonholes, and branches made into crosses. This custom dates from at least the 5th century. I was banned in many parts after the Reformation as idolatrous, but revived afterwards. Pax Cakes or Buns ('Pax' is latin for 'peace') were distributed after the church service. Fig pie or pudding is also traditionally eaten today. Children used to make liquorice water by mixing liquorice with well water, which on this day was regarded as 'holy'. CORNWALL Vegetation picked and taken into the family home will bring luck. At Our Lady of Nant's Well in Little Colan, near Newquay, people went in procession with a palm cross in one hand and vegetation in the other for a divination ceremony. In Polperro, local apprentices were given a day's holiday to visit parents. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton 2002