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Legends and myths about werewolfs

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Legends and myths about werewolfs

Facts:


  • Lycanthropy definition: The transformation of a human being into a wolf or other animal; a werebat, werebear, werewolf, etc. (Some people believe lycanthropy is just a mental condition, and that those that believe they are werewolves, werebats, etc. do not actually go through the physical changes of transformation).
  • When a werewolf transforms back into a human, they show the wounds they acquired while in the werewolf state.
  • A werewolf is physically exhausted after their transformation and requires much rest.
  • The very first werewolf movie ever was called The Werewolf of London in the year 1935.
  • During 1520 to 1630 there were over 30,000 werewolf trials in France alone.
  • In Medieval Times, people would put a magic salve on their body because they thought it would make them become wolves. This salve contained a hallucinogen similar to LSD which made them see others as werewolves.
  • In the Middle Ages, lycanthropy was thought of as a practice done by witches. Many witches would become possessed with animals, including their familiars; the animal most called was the wolf and many people, having an overactive imagination, would see the witches as werewolves.
  • In Mexico, werewolves are referred to as Nahuales.
  • In Italy, the belief is that anybody born on a Full Moon Friday or that sleeps outside is prone to become a werewolf.
  • When a werewolf changes back into a human, they have no recollection of the previous events as a werewolf.
  • Many werewolf legends claim that you can exorcise a werewolf by performing a spell on them.
  • Werewolves are often referred to as shapeshifters.
  • In Native American mythology they believed you could become a werewolf by performing certain rituals.
  • When someone changes into a werewolf they lose all control over their human mind and develop all the senses and thoughts of a wolf.
  • A werewolf can be live alone and be happy while wolves prefer to live in packs.
  • Werewolf hunters believe that you can get away from a werewolf and be safe by climbing up into an ash tree.

Myths:


  • Werewolves are human beings under a curse.
  • A werewolf, after being killed, will turn into a vampire.
  • Silver bullets are the only thing that can kill a werewolf.
  • Werewolves are immortal.

The Legend of the Werewolf

There are two categories of werewolf cases; 'false' or Lycanthropic Disorder cases and genuine werewolf cases.

LYCANTHROPIC DISORDER Lycanthropic Disorder is a mental condition in which the subject (called a Lycanthrope) believes that he or she is a werewolf. The subject does not actually change shape, but is nevertheless capable of being as dangerous as an actual werewolf. Most cases of supposed werewolfry are really the works of Lycanthropic Disorder victims.

MAN TO BEAST In real werewolves a physical change to wolf form does occur. The change can be voluntary (at will), or can be forced by certain cycles of the moon and certain sounds (such as howling).

WEREWOLVES & IMMORTALITY Werewolves are immune from aging and from most physical diseases due to the constant regeneration of their physical tissue. They can, therefore, be virtually immortal. However, they can be killed by any wound that destroys the heart or the brain, or any form of death that causes brain or heart damage (such as hanging or other oxygen-deprivation methods).

THE MIND OF A WEREWOLF Though primarily a true wolf while in wolf form, there is some proof that the werewolf retains enough knowledge to assist his killing; recognition of victims, evation of traps, and human cunning have all been seen on werewolf cases.

BECOMING A WEREWOLF There are several ways to become a werewolf. They include being givin the power of shape shifting through sorcery, being cursed by someone who you have wronged in some way (called Lycaeonia curse), being bitten by a werewolf, and being born to a werewolf. In each case, the blood becomes tainted or cursed.

DAMNATION A person who becomes a werewolf against his will (birth, curse, or bite) is not completely damned until he tastes of human blood. Once he does, his soul is eternally damned and nothing may redeem him. Even without tasting of human blood, however, as long as the taint lays upon the immortal soul, it cannot enter Heaven, and will remain chained to the mortal plane upon death.

WEREWOLF PACKS Like real wolves, werewolves can live alone for many years, yet the instinct for a pack often leads them away from their secretive lifestyle, into revealing their nature to a priest or close associate, or converting another to werewolfry for companionship. This is when the otherwise cagey werewolf opens himself to dection! Werewolf packs cause immense destruction. A pack consists of one werewolf who became a werewolf through sorcery, birth, or curse - in other words, his is the original tainted blood. This werewolf is called the Alpha werewolf. The remaining werewolves in the pack are called Beta werewolves because they became werewolves through the bite of the Alpha and carry the Alpha's tainted blood.

ALPHA & BETA WEREWOLVES The relashinship between Alpha and Beta werewolves is a complex one. Once a subject is bitten by a werewolf, his or her life and death are doomed to the werewolf curse. The victim does, however, have some hope - as long as they themselves do not taste of human blood, the curse is reversible. If the Alpha werewolf is killed - through some action of the Beta - the Beta's curse is broken. It is important to note that whether the Beta werewolf was bitten by the Alpha werewolf himself or by another Beta, it is the Alpha who must be destroyed - the source of the original tainted blood. It is also an interesting note that since Betas and Alphas share common blood, an Alpha cannot physically harm a Beta of his own bloodline by his own hans without inflicting the same injury upon himself. However, if a Beta is harmed or killed by another, it does not affect the Alpha.

SYMPTOMS OF WEREWOLFRY When hunting for a werewolf it is important to remember that your biggest clues will come through your suspects personalities. Becoming a werewolf is not transparent, no matter how the victim tries to hide it. The tainted, sub-human blood greatly alters the subject's own mind and personality, even physical appearence. Therefore, look for symptoms in your human suspects that include increasing violence, increasing aggression, unprovoked rages, insomnia, restlessness, and other bizarre behavior. Unfortunately, over time these symptoms can be brought under control, so do not rely on them exclusively. A good example of this comes from a case reported by the ancient priesthood society, Manos Del Sol, of Brazil. A rash of werewolf killings there was tracked to a high ranking officer in the army. The society became aware of the man mainly through rumers of his violent behavior and changed personality. The case was successfully resolved with the man's capture.

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