Where Were The Were?
Throughout history and through many regions all over the world, people have spread rumors about magicians and witch doctors turning into beasts. Whether it be a curse, an article of clothing, or just the will of the gods, were creatures have roamed our deepest fears.
The most commonly known creature that fits this description is the werewolf of European folklore. A werewolf, a derivative of the old English word for man wolf, is a human with the ability to shape shift into a wolf whether it be by a curse or on purpose. The earliest recordings of this type of shape shifter are said to come from the Norse, Celtic, and other tribes that called England and France their home.
A father and son were out hunting one day when they came across two wolf pelts. They put the wolf pelts on and discovered they had magic powers, turning them both into wolves. they agreed on a deal, while in there wolf forms, if one should spot a human hunting party, they would howl for the other and take part in the massacre together. The son came across such a party and killed them all and when he returned to his father he was killed himself out of rage. Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology, took pity on the pair and resurrected the son. The duo then burned the pelts.
In medieval lore, A large wolf was seen near a German town and began to murder livestock and villagers. They caught the werewolf who said that he was possessed by demons who wanted him to kill and gave them the power to do so. And, as in medieval tradition, they dragged him into the streets, disemboweled him, and cut off his head. They placed his head on the wheel on which he was tortured on top of a bronze wolf sculpture.
in Mexico, the werewolf is known as a "Nahual." this is derived from a pre-Hispanic language and means warlock. The warlock would change into a black or dark coyote and would be insanely fast and very strong. They would steal corn and chickens from local farms and attack and kill in villages. The people of Mexico knew all this and they also believed that this creature is very defensive of its territory. It would be a fight to the death of two creatures were in one territory. It is also known that this being Could be harmed in its coyote formed and killed if wounded badly enough. If the creature was hurt in its animal form, the injury would show in their human form. Today in Mexico near the mountains of La Malinche, It is thought that these creatures still exist. In these mountains however the creatures are actually thought to be women or witches and that they sneak into homes at night to kill any children. Parents sometimes keep Amir that shows the sleeping child's reflection as well as a pair of scissors or a knife that are thought to ward off the Nahual.
in Native American legends, more precisely in the north, creatures such as the skin walker and the Wendigo haunt many stories. some even say that modern day events such as what happened on a bus in Canada reinforce these tales.
in 2008 Tim McLean was stabbed beheaded and cannibalized by a total stranger on a greyhound bus in Manitoba. Since this took place in The region of Canada associated with the Wendigo, many people have speculated and theorized that the spirit may have something to do with it. we will dive into this story later.
In central America, the Olmecs, The earliest known major civilization in Mesoamerica, believed in and worshipped the Were Jaguar. This being appears widely in Olmec records. Many scholars believe that this creature is tied to a myth concerning a copulation between a jaguar and a woman. Some believe it is a rain diety whereas others believe it to be a monster. A monster made by the gods. A funny thing about the deities of this people was that many of their gods had almond shaped eyes. See Roswell for more details.
In modern times, many of these mythological creatures are used in fantasy and so on. For example there are several different species of were creature. One of my favorites is the Were Crocodile from Dungeons and Dragons!
Shape shifting creatures are widespread throughout the world. From the vampire turning into a bat to the werewolf, it seems humanity has a connection to the natural world deeper than we thought in modern times. It is interesting to see and to realize that we had this connection and as our civilization has expanded and grown, our connection to the earth has become weaker and weaker.
so please do what you can to reestablish this connection. And also be careful of the Moon!
also, if you or anyone you know has been bitten by an animal, first go to your nearest emergency room! Rabies and other diseases are much more of an immediate threat then becoming a werewolf.
Remember you can email me at friendsoffolklore@gmail.com!
