The Latvian Witch - Ragana

Here we go - the big mean Latvian witch is trying to get into a neighbor's pasture to poison the grass which would take away the cows' milk. Yes, it's all about milk But I doubt she will succeed since there is a rowan tree branch at the fence - the strongest protection against evil and magic.
Usually witches (or raganas, spiganas, laumas) are most active at Midsummer when Latvians celebrate Jāņi - the shortest night in the year. It's a true pagan celebration yet many traditions and rituals have survived. For example - every year my family decorates all the fences, gates and doors with rowan and oak branches (rowan - for protection, oak - for power) that prevents the raganas from entering our yard and buildings, so they can't do any harm. Then they get angry and chew off the sprouting branches of rowan trees so they stop growing after Midsummer.
Anyway there are many contradictory myths about raganas but mostly they are considered evil and jealous. They envy their neighbor's wealth and try to steal it away (Latvians approve only of wealth that is gained by one's own work and sweat). They are active during night when they half naked wander the fields and pastures dragging a white sheet through the grass. If a cow eats grass on a ragana's trail it's milk becomes plainer while the ragana's cow's milk becomes thicker and richer.
Ancient Latvian raganas worked for their own benefit, this concept has been mutilated by Christianity - they are made Devil's mistresses. It's possible they had deals with the Devil, but they have done that out of their free will.
Raganas are usually portrayed as in this picture - old hag like women with loose hair and bare feet, but they could be young and beautiful - they could steal other women's beauty after all. It could be that they keep the beautiful form for the day but at night they show their real - ugly form.
They are the enemies of Latvian werewolves (vilkacis) who often try to correct the evil deeds of raganas. They also had special gatherings. Usually they flew there - they could use a broom, a log or a special flying salve. They might have also flown in their astral form while the body slept.