“Swedish svartkonst (black art or nigromancy) is not at all equivalent to genuine Swedish pre-Christian magic, it has more truly emerged from the Old Norse spiritualism but has early on been saturated by Christian influences which successively predominated the folk belief and practical sorcery. And through this amalgamation with the new knowledge in conjurations, magic, alchemy, and medicine the very unique and transgressive folk magic known as svartkonst was forged.”

Þursakyngi IV ‘Svartkonst’ is the first part of a two-part series regarding Swedish sorcery known as svartkonst (black art). This book offers a historical, mythological and folkloric insight in old Swedish folk magical traditions with explanations and a glossary, as well as twenty-four practical bindrunes, called Trollrunor, which are charged and tested according to Swedish svartkonst and our own tradition. They can be quickened and employed by following the instructions that comes with each rune. In line with the Trollrunor, the book also comprises fourteen simpler bindrunes called Tursarnas Vapen, each one representing a sorcerous virtue, which are employed when their empowerments are needed. Their attributes, correspondences and sympathetic links are listed with each rune. In addition to the practical part, customs concerning offerings, periods and days of the year, tincture and incense recipes for cleansing, magical ink formula, and how to make a conjuring wand are included.

In the last part of the book, a handful of the most relevant entities (väsen) connected to svartkonst, our Thursian Tradition and the mysteries leading back to the Descendants of the Thurses are explored in a concise but insightful form from the perspective of Swedish folklore, such as the Devil, giants and trolls, and genii loci such as rån, näckar and tomtar, etc., an account which is meant to give those enticed by svartkonst a strong foundation in the relevant aspects of Swedish folk belief.

EDITIONS

Regular edition 2020, of 950 copies. Hardcover book bound in black leatherette. Frontcover debossed with a Svartkonst rune, 276 pages. Illustrated, includes symbols and sigils related to the ritual work. Ixaxaar Occult Literature.

Limited Collector’s edition 2020, limited to 150 copies. Different cover design, frontcover foiled with golden Svartkonst rune and blindstamped with Serpent design. The book comes with an additional unreleased ritual text printed on an additional card, and signed by the author. Hardcover book bound in black leatherette. Ixaxaar Occult Literature.

Deluxe edition 2020, limited to 36 copies. Full leatherbound with frontcover and spine blindstamped, two raised bands, handpainted burgundy colour endpapers, blackened page edges. The book comes with a rooster feather as a bookmark and additional unreleased text in an envelope. Some books are accompanied with a Trollpåse, a small consecrated bag that holds magical items and herbs, which were consecrated by the author on Walpurgisnight 2020. The trollpåsar were created for customers who ordered it separately. Ixaxaar Occult Literature.