Transformation in were-wolf

In this second post we will look at the different ways a person has to change to become a werewolf.

Do not miss any post, this is the outline of treated posts:

TRANSFORMATION

The transformation into wolf, lobishome, werewolf or whatever you want to call yourself changes depending on the mythological sources from which you drink. Within the same mythology, such as traditional Galician mythology, transformation occurs in different ways. In some cases, with the arrival of the nights, people suffering from this disease have suffered an irrepressible need to go to the mountains. They lie down and begin to roll in a muddy or dew that has fallen on the grass. In trying to stand up, they cannot. They walk on all fours. In some cases of Galician mythology, the person affected by lycanthropy takes off his clothes before rolling on the ground. Another form of transformation in Galician mythology, and which it shares with Norse mythology among others, is through the use of wolf skins. It is in this last mythology where this power is not limited to wolves, but also extends to other animals such as the bear, whose transformation consists of putting these skins on top. This transformation is usually in the form of a hyena in African mythology. If it is in the shape of a dog, it is called Kuanthropy, and if it is in the shape of a cow, it is called Boanthropy. As we have briefly commented on Norse mythology, the shamanic religions of the Americas also included the belief that the human body could become another animal, either by mutation of the body itself or with the use fur, or transfer your soul to another being. This, in turn, reminds us in a way of some of the situations of Indian mythology. In other European mythologies, such as Anglo-Saxon mythology or French mythology, the transformation into a wolf occurs after diving into some source or lake. Returning to the aforementioned Norse mythology, he comments the eyes of the affected lycans his original look of person.

Debuxo da cara dun lobo — Drawing of wolf face

Frequency and time of transformation

The frequencies of transformations also differ in the function of the sources. In some cases, the transformation every full moon. In other cases, the transformation occurs during the waning moon, lasting between one to two hours. But there are many more casuistry. In Polish mythology, the wrath of the lobishome arises twice a year: in the middle of summer and at Christmas. Second relates the French Jean Grenier, the frequency of transformation is daily. Every Monday, Friday and Sunday those affected undergo the transformation. However, the other days, they only suffer it for an hour after sunset. There are even stories where lycanthropes can enter this state whenever they want and leave it the same way. Linking with the last case of the frequency of the transformations, whose frequency is what the curse holder wishes, we now comment on the duration of the transformation, which was also according to the lycanthrope’s wish. The duration of the transformation from one hour to twelve days, but there are stories which say years. This type of transformation depends on mythology and even within mythology itself it can vary from story to story. We have the case of recently commented, related by the French Jean Grenier, the duration was different depending on the day of the week: it ranges between the hour and the whole night. There are cases in which the transformation lasts all night and others, on the contrary, that the transformation is during the day. The latter, from stories that come from Norse mythology, can only regain their original form at night. It is commented in our references that there is information from the Middle Ages in which the transformation into a beast lasted until the wolf’s skin disappeared and the human form reappeared on the twelfth day. Also in the Middle Ages it was said that a multitude of people transformed into wolves in different parts of Europe during the night of the Nativity festivity, and attacked livestock and anyone they encountered.

Description

For the werewolf description there is no uniform description either. It is commented that there are cases of lycanthropy, those that are closest to cannibalism itself, that people retain their human form. These in some cases are related, if it can be said so, with the vampire. It is also associated with fantasy or hallucination of the lycanthrope. In other cases the description is that of the wolf himself. In other words, the person’s body remains empty and their spirit enters the animal’s or transforms into a wolf, sometimes using a wolf’s skin for it. In other cases, the size is much larger than that of the wolf and the physiognomy retains more similarities to the human one.

Capabilities

The abilities or powers given to lobishomes are similar in many mythologies, but they vary enough to be considered different, even within it. For mythology Norse, they have the capabilities of the animal and the person. In Galician mythology, werewolves have the ability to command wolves. They are capable of leading large herds to achieve their interests and are even capable of controlling them by returning to their human form. Lycans, werewolves and lobishomes can be wounded and even die while they are like wolves. It is told in French mythology and in Norse mythology that the lobishome recovers its normal state after being injured or at the end of life. Upon discovering his identity, a great misfortune falls on the family. Not all mythologies share this transformation to the original form by being injured. What can be intuited from some of the stories is that these creatures have a great capacity to withstand blows and even shots.

Attack

The attacks of the lobishomes are also diverse, following the trend of everything that refers to the world of lycanthropy. Attacks can be both day and night, depending on the type of transformation. The victims of the attacks are animals from sheep and cattle, dogs and even people. There is talk of solitary attacks by werewolves, but also of joint attacks by lobishomes and large packs of wolves led by lobo da xente (the lycanthrope). By some unstoppable force, the lobishomes launch themselves at their victims, tear them apart with their nails and teeth and end up devouring them.

After transformation

After undergoing the transformations, many of those affected suffer indisposition for days. These suffer great exhaustions and almost without moving their hands or feet. It is commented in some cases that the human physiognomy of lycanthropes is affected, with very broad hands and short fingers. In addition, they tend to have some hair on the eggs of the hands.

YOUR COLLABORATION

If there is any extra, documented information that you can pass on to us, it will be welcome. Also, if you have information that does not match what we have here, please let us know. We try to have accurate information and that is why we always leave our references. We have some places that we have not been able to locate on the map and that the references that we have used appear, can you help us find them? Sloyakians, Tscheita, Chastel Charnon, Omeissen, Unterelsas, La Pouppe (Athume), Caude, Espagny and Marram river.

Open cases:

What are the “Aryan nations “?
What is the “Ossyrian race” that appears in the book The Book of Were-Wolves ?
Who are the “White Russians“?
Where is the “Marram River“?
when and who to introduce the concept of silver bullets ?

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