In The Cunning Craft , Frisvold strives to clarify in a hermeneutic manner the deeper levels of the wise arts, with a particular focus on their connections with the opposer, more commonly known as the devil, the mysteries of the night, and the crossroads where power, wisdom, and mysteries are found.   In The Cunning Craft , Frisvold delves deep into the hidden realms of ancient wisdom, shining a light on the enigmatic connections between the craft and its opposing forces, such as the devil, the mysteries of the night, and the powerful crossroads where secrets converge. This book unveils the cunning arts in all their forms, from the revered to the feared. Here, the devil stands as pivotal as any saint, and wisdom flourishes where others dare not tread. The cunning ones, adept in magical arts and aided by denizens from beyond, serve as conduits between worlds, their rituals and rites steeped in both peril and power. From the arcane teachings of Picatrix to the bold insights of Giordano Bruno, this book celebrates the rich tapestry of esoteric knowledge.   With rituals honoring both poison and healing, and nods to ancient figures like Master Cain, The Cunning Craft invites sorcerers, witches, historians, and the curious alike to explore the depths of mystery veiled by the celestial bodies and the shadowy figure of the devil. “The strength of Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold’s book consists of his rare ability to keep narratives apart. As the idea of a ‘cunning craft’ can be traced historically to different cultural and spiritual discourses, our general perception of what we’re talking about can be challenged. When is a witch a cunning woman, a strega, a healer, a shaman, a herbalist, a spell caster, or a sorcerer? It is refreshing to have a book that gives careful attention to how we define the cunning person, in the process adding nuance to our understanding of ‘the craft.’” —Camelia Elias Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold graduated with a degree in psychology, anthropology/science of religion, and cinema studies from the University of Oslo and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. He owns the Sacred Alchemy Store and the retreat center the Monastery of St. Uriel the Archangel. He has been living in Brazil since 2003, where he has dedicated much of his time to studying, both as a practitioner and as an ethnographer, the varieties of Brazilian spirituality and sorcery.