In a dusty attic in central Norway, Mary Rustad came upon two ancient handwritten books of magic used by the common people--practical handbooks for daily concerns like stopping a toothache, retrieving stolen goods, and protecting livestock. Contains reproductions of the original, Old Norwegian pages facing the English translation. Includes an account of a 17th-century Norwegian witch trial. Mary S. Rustad was born in Minnesota of Norwegian heritage. She lives on the farm in Norway where her great-grandfather once lived before immigrating to the United States. After living on the farm for 21 years, she has become familiar with some of her ancestors. These relatives, that she has never met, left letters and possessions behind to help her get to know them. Some years ago, she found the two Black Books in the attic. Putting this book together has helped her understand what kind of spiritual beliefs her ancestors had in the eighteenth century. The art of seeing who has bewitched another's animals Take a spoonful of milk from a cow that has recently calved, a spoonful of a woman's breast milk, and a spoonful of your own urine. Blend them together. Put the mixture in a glass and bury it down in a manure heap overnight. Then say these words three times, while you are sitting down: "Hosala Diesla Euga." After retrieving the mixture, say this three times: "Go then he who now rules over Belsebub in his world." Then walk into the parlor and place the glass on the table. After one hour there will come a sorcerer or a witch and ask for either salty food or something to drink. But do not give it to him; only show him the way out when you want him to leave.