Werewolf Fever
Photo credit: Public Domain
Hello, my name is Brianna Shambrook. On a recent trip to Ireland I discovered just how common werewolf folklore was in Europe. I did a ghost tour where tales were told of werewolves wreaking havoc on burgeoning Irish communities as far back as the 10th century. These tales made me want to dig a little deeper to find out why werewolves remain one of the most talked about legends. I discovered that the origins of werewolves could be linked to ancient Greek and Roman history, which peaked my interest as I have my BA in Classics. I have found several explanations and theories about origins, shape-shifting abilities, trials and even spells that could transform you into a werewolf.
There are many theories and myths surrounding werewolves, but are any of them true? In the movies and on T.V., werewolves are emotionally and physically tortured souls who involuntarily shape-shift on a full moon. Usually, these characters shape-shift at the most inconvenient of times like during a sports game at their high school or during a date. The origin of “real life” werewolves is unknown, but it is hugely present in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. One of the first notable mentions of werewolves in literature is in Gaius Petronius’ Latin manuscript the Satyricon, which was written in the late 1st Century AD. Additionally, the Greek myth of Zeus and the King Lycaon, portrayed in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, is a potential origin of werewolf legends. This myth has many different depictions but the most common interpretation sees Zeus as he tried to disguise himself as a traveler, but was recognized by the Arcadian King Lycaon. The king tried to kill Zeus and also fed him human flesh. This, of course, made Zeus mad. He destroyed King Lycaon’s palace and condemned him to spend the rest of his life as a wolf. It’s possible that this myth popularized the word Lycanthrope, which means werewolf. When broken down, the Greek word lykos means wolf and the word anthropos means man. While werewolves are the most commonly discussed shape-shifters, there are plenty of different terms used and creatures seen around the world. For example, in Canada the term bearwalker is common and in Ireland and Scotland the word selkie refers to a seal that takes its skin off to become human. There are numerous explanations as to how a human transforms into a werewolf. Being born a wolf and being bitten by one are two of the most popular theories. Other tales include witchcraft rituals, devil worshipping, and an ointment that affords shape-shifting abilities. One particular legend sees a human cloaking themselves in wolf skin and shifting into a wolf. There are many medical conditions that have, unfortunately, been associated with werewolves as well. For example, hypertrichosis is where hair grows long over the entire body. Porphyria is characterized by sensitivity to light forcing someone to go outside only at night (this can be associated with vampirism as well). Clinical lycanthropy is a condition where someone believes they are an animal and/or a werewolf. One of the first and most famous werewolf tales is associated with clinical Lycanthropy. In 1598 Peter Stubbe confessed that he wore a belt of wolfskin, which allowed him to change into a wolf. He claimed his body would transform into the likeness of a wolf and that he faced a certain hunger for blood. He gruesomely murdered and assaulted dozens of people including children and pregnant women. Stubbe even murdered his own son and ate his brains. The confessed murderer was tortured and beheaded in 1598. His headless body was burned at the stake. Even though he confessed, there was little evidence to support his wild claims and he was thought to have been delusional. It is no secret that werewolves reportedly plagued Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries (and not just by American werewolves in London). The gruesome tales of savage and unrelenting werewolves in Europe put fear in everyone. People frequently had sightings of monstrous wolf-like creatures attacking
humans and leaving a trail of blood and guts. One theory is that actual wolves were running wild and due to the amount of massacres people feared the worst, which was a werewolf. While many of the stories about werewolves in Europe end with the wolf getting away, there are a lot of stories about them being caught and punished. Interestingly, a lot of the stories where werewolves were caught and sentenced to death involved real life serial killers who declared they were shape-shifting wolves. Captured werewolves were put on trial, just like witches. A well-known werewolf trial comes from 1521 when two serial killers named Pierre Burgot and Michel Verdun confessed to being werewolves and both were executed. One of the most famous tales is that of cannibal Gilles Garnier who was dubbed the “werewolf of Dole.” Garnier was a hermit who lived outside the town of Dole, France. In this town, numerous children were found dead and went missing. One night, some travelers found a child in a forest being eaten. Some of the travelers identified the beast as a wolf, but others identified it as the hermit. Garnier was arrested and his case went to trial. He confessed that while scavenging for food for him and his wife, a spirit appeared to him and offered him an ointment that would allow him to change into a wolf so he could hunt better. Garnier confessed to stalking and eating the flesh of numerous children. After being found guilty of lycanthropy and witchcraft, he was burned at the stake on January 18, 1573. The manticore is another legendary creature that has been depicted as a type of werewolf that preys on children. It will forever be a mystery as to why these killers admitted to being werewolves when their confession would surely result in death. Perhaps they believed their behavior and gruesome actions were simply as animalistic as a wolf ripping someone apart. Even though werewolves have been portrayed as demonic creatures, their power was once envied. Werewolves, as relics of shamanism, don’t need to be feared. In fact, they can be understood and even controlled. Originally, during the height of paganism and before the occupation of Christianity, werewolfdom was a common practice. Shamans had the ability to transform into werewolves, which allowed them to gain a deeper connection with their spiritual intuition. Shape-shifting was used to channel the hunting abilities, strength, perseverance and raw energy of a wolf. It wasn’t until the mid-renaissance when werewolves began to earn a gruesome reputation. The moon has been associated with supernatural shape-shifting and werewolves for centuries, but why? The full moon is the most powerful lunar phase and, in the spiritual realm, signifies fulfillment and increased psychic ability. While there is little scientific evidence that proves this lunar effect creates a kind of madness in people, it has been claimed that the full moon is responsible for all kinds of ill-fortune and disturbed behavior. It is believed that when the earth is lit up by the full moon’s powerful and illuminated face that a werewolf transforms and howls. For true believers who are unconvinced that werewolves can be controlled, you can protect yourselves. A sacred perennial plant, called wolfsbane or monkshood, was commonly used to poison werewolves during their domination in Europe. Today, you can grow this beautiful flower in your garden
but be mindful that it is poisonous. Also, if you encounter a werewolf, calling out his or her real name will provide you with safety. A newer theory is that silver can kill a werewolf, thus the silver bullet is often thought of as the ultimate weapon. However, if you use a silver bullet the injuries a werewolf sustains will be carried over to its human form. The superstition that silver can kill a werewolf dates back to the legend of the relentless and vicious “Beast of Gevaudan” in the late 1700s. There had been many attempts to kill this gigantic man-eating wolf beast but it was Jean Chastel who killed it with blessed silver bullets. For those who want to find proof of a werewolf, you will need to be brave and have good hunting abilities. Werewolves would most likely stay out of sight roaming and hunting in forests at night. There are frequent sightings of werewolves today, especially in Wisconsin, USA. If you’re really desperate to find proof of one, though, there are a few werewolf-tracking apps that you can download! Do you want to channel the strength and energy of a werewolf? Do you perhaps want to dare shift your form to become a werewolf? The answers your looking for could be in Judika Illes’ The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells. Below are a few excerpts from Illes encyclopedia teaching you how to channel and transform into a werewolf: Basic Werewolf Transformation Spell This spell will only work if you love the moon and wolves. Stand outside so that you’re bathed in the light of the Full Moon. Some might suggest you undress completely, although depending where you live, this may be unrealistic. Carefully choosing your adornment---a crescent pendant, or a wolf T-Shirt for example---may assist the transformation. Gaze at the moon and howl. Diana Altar 1. Create an altar to [Roman goddess] Diana: decorate it with images of the moon, the forest and her favorite animals: hounds, wolves, and deer. 2. Place a dish of water or a mirror onto the altar to represent Diana’s sacred spring: if you can, position it so that it reflects moonlight. 3. Gaze at the altar and howl. Werewolf’s full moon ointment 1. Go to the woods during the full moon with your cauldron and supplies 2. Cast a circle around the cauldron 3. Typical werewolf-transformation ingredients included belladonna, hemlock, henbane, opium, wolfsbane, and the surprisingly innocuous parsley. 4. Smear the body with the resulting salve and wait. 5. Either transformation should occur or a spirit will arrive to provide guidance.
Werewolf Protection Spell This spell protects you so that you can sleep while the werewolves are out on the prowl. Keep a mirror by your bedside alongside sharp iron or steel implements like a knife or scissors (keeping doors and windows locked might not be a bad idea, either). Should a werewolf show up the sight of these objects (or presumably his own image in the mirror) is either enough to transform him back into a person, or at the very least make him leave and find another victim.
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An 18 century depiction of the “Beast of Gevaudan� from vol. xxxiv May 1765 of The London Magazine.