Werewolves

 

Belief in the werewolf probably dates back to Paleopagan times, when the spirits of
animals were both revered and feared. Further on in history, we discover that lycanthropy
finds its root name from Apollo Lycaeus (Wolfish Apollo), who was worshipped in the
famous Lyceum or "Wolf temple" where Socrates taught. Apollo was mated to Artemis,
known in some mythos as the divine Wolf Bitch. The She-Wolf was another aspect of the
goddess trinity, and her legends move through various races and cultures. Significance here
is placed on the belief that the goddess or god could shapeshift into animal form. The
werewolf legend of people turning into wolves (and back again) stems from tribal belief.
Many myths, from Celtic Ireland through Germany, insist that if a person wears a wolf pelt,
he or she can transform into the spirit of the beast. In Mercia during the tenth century A.D.,
there was a revival of Pagan learning under two Druidic priests, one of whom was named
Werewolf. This name of "spirit-wolf" seems to have been applied to opponents of christianity
in general. About 1000 C.E., the word "werewolf" was taken to mean outlaw probably with
its association to the renegade Druid priest. Criminals were hanged beside wolves, and the
Saxon word for gallows means "wolf-tree."
Another story traceable to wolf-clan traditions, which may have its source in Germany, is the
story of Little Red Riding Hood. The red garment and the offering of food to the "grandmother"
in the deep woods (the grandmother wore a wolf skin) are symbolic of devouring and resurrection.
It is thought that a woven red hood was the distinguishing mark of the prophetess or prietess.
As death and resurrection are a largeportion of the early Samhain beleifs, it is no wonder we
find werewolves associated with the holiday of Halloween.
Medieval tales of numerous executions in France and Germany show that it was as dangerous
to be a werewolf as it was to be a Witch. Historical records indicate the torture and murder of
several men and women who were made to confess that they had aquired this shapeshifting ability,
naturally through a pact with the Christian devil. It is possible that "serial killers" are not all that
modern (skipping Jack the Ripper, of course), and that some earliest mass killers were considered
vampires and werewolves, for killing without guilt is an attributeto the animal condition, not the
human one. We find the case of Peter Stubb, the infamous Werewolf of Cologne, accused of killing
numerous women and children, to be one of the most frightening trials of an individual accused
of actually being a werewolf. Two women, his daughter and his mistress, were sentenced as
accomplices, and Peter Stubb met an incredibly horrendous death at the hands of his judges,
while the women suffered the fate of burning at the stake. Although this could be a urban legend
gone wild ----as with the witch torture , hangings, and burnings mentioned earlier --- this might
be a case of real medieval serial killer. France appers to have the worst case of werewolf mania,
where many people were burned during the sixtenth century, including sufferers from porphyria
(a genetic disease), rabies victims, ergot poisoning, and of course, the true criminal.
Where wolves have resided, many tribes around the world have associated great power and
mysticism to the animal and, in several cultures , the wolf was not seen as a "bad" beast. In reality,
we know that the wolf is a highly social, intelligent, and friendly animal. The Celts were known to
cross-breed wolves with hounds to produce a powerful dog for battle, and some Scotch traditions
use the wolf as their totem ( MacLennans and MacTyre).
Whether you plan to walk on four paws or two this Halloween, take into consideration the original,
honorable mythos of the werewolf, and act appropriately- though it's okay to howl at the moon,
something all "good" werewolves are prone to do.
Or so they say...

 

from the book Halloween by Silver Ravenwolf