The Church Bell Against Storms
Swedish church bells were believed to protect the parish: they were rung to break up thunderclouds, drive away storms and pestilence, and even to help stop fires. The casting of a new bell was accompanied by rites, and the bells were thought to carry a blessing that evil powers could not withstand. Ringing against bad weather ('ringning mot oväder') is recorded in many Swedish parishes. The sound of the consecrated bell was held to drive off the trolls and evil spirits that raised the weather, and the clergy were asked to ring while a storm passed, sometimes with a formula of words recited as