The Evil Spirits of Sweden: Inhabitants of Cemeteries, Forests, and Fields

Legends of house spirits, forest dwellers, and water spirits exist in all world cultures since ancient times. In the territory of modern Scandinavia and the neighboring islands, evil spirits are first mentioned in ancient Icelandic literature, where the words vatte and troll denote all supernatural beings, including gods. Swedish folklore is no exception: early medieval ballads speak of dangerous trolls, terrifying werewolves, and ghosts. The intervention of otherworldly forces is an excellent way to justify one's failures and interpret unexplained phenomena of nature. Underwater currents and whirlpools are nothing but the tricks of mermaids and water spirits. A thunderstorm is the gods' hunt for forest maidens. Fog is the dance of elves dressed in snowy white outfits. Evil spirits were feared and avoided: children did not approach the deep pools because a water spirit lived there, and they kept away from deep wells where the "old man of the well" resided. Nevertheless, it was possible to bargain with representatives of the otherworld through rituals: for example, to appease the spirits so they would ensure a good harvest or luck in hunting. The real book is an exciting journey into the world of Swedish evil spirits, as envisioned by the ancient Swedes and how their descendants see them today. The edition contains colored illustrations drawn based on images from Scandinavian legends and tales.