Rousalii

Rousalii

May-June; Pentecost or Trinity Sunday, Sunday after Pentecost

In Romania, Pentecost or the week after, including Trinity Sunday, is the time when the Rousalii, the three daughters of an emperor who were ill-treated during their lives on earth and later became goddesses, set out to cause misery and mischief wherever they could. Traditional Romanian belief holds that during the period from Trinity Sunday to St. Peter's Day (June 29), the Rousalii roam over the earth, causing high winds and storms. People may be caught up in whirlwinds, or children may be snatched from the arms of their mothers if they venture outdoors or travel any distance from home.
On the eve of Rousalii, it is traditional to place a twig of wormwood under your pillow. Because medicinal herbs supposedly lose their potency for several weeks after Rousalii, it is considered unwise to gather any herbs from the fields until at least nine weeks have passed.

SOURCES:
EncyRel-1987, vol. 4, p. 216
FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 343