The Pukhare
The trollhare (troll hare) or trollkatt (troll cat), also called puka or pukhare (pooka, pook hare), is used to steal milk, butter, other foods, or even luck from others, and bring them to its creator and caretaker. Another name for it is a mjölkhare (milk hare), and in Norway it may be called a smørkatt (butter cat). The form of a hare or cat is not apparent in the shape of the object at all, but described as its spiritual form.
The most common way to make a milk-hare is with seven pieces of woollen solv (string heddle eyes cut from loom). The legs of the hare are typically made of wooden knitting needles that have been burned at both ends. The pukhare may be constructed from things that have been stolen, for this will give it the dubious virtues needed for theft. To bring it to life, blow upon it; clapping of the hands or clapping on the ground may be done in addition. In old sources its rarely said that the troll hare is fed once it has been created, but in addition to the blood which may be part of its creation, some modern practitioners find that to keep it powerful it is best to feed the troll hare bread or blood, or some spittle every day or at least occasionally.
Once the spirit has been given its purpose it can do nothing else. For this reason people usually have more than one troll hare.
PUKHARE MADE AND BROUGHT ALIVE BY CLAPPING The pukhare is made of a broom with knitting needles as legs. It should be covered by a bridal veil and placed on the stairs of the house. When bringing it alive one should clap hands several times.
(Sweden, 19th century)
SEVEN KINDS OF YARN AND A SIEVE The pukhare is made of seven kinds of yarn and should have knittin needles as legs. It is put in a sieve and carried to a place surrounded by running water three Thursday nights in a row. On the last night the sieve is shaken, a formula is read, and the puka will come alive.
(Sweden, from a Finnish speaker, 19th century)
PUKHARE MADE WITH SOLV AND KNITTING NEEDLES The pukhare is made of sticks and solv (string healds from a loom). On three Thursday nights the sticks and solv should be brought to the church. On the third Thursday night Satan will appear by the church, and the sticks and solv will get their power and come alive. Then one must tell the pukhare what to do. If he is to draw milk, he is good for nothing else.
(Sweden, 19th century)
Sources: Trolldom, Spells and Methods of the Norse Folk Magick Tradition
