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Werewolves
The idea of being able to change form into something else and
possess superhuman like abilities is scary to some and exciting to
others.
Werewolves, or wolf men, are mythological humans with the ability to
change form into wolves or wolf-like beings. This is believed to
happen after suffering a bite from another werewolf or sometimes by
being the victim of a curse. Restlessness and agitation are said to
precede a werewolf transformation, followed by convulsions. The
transformation is almost always associated with the full moon.
The werewolf is generally thought to be invulnerable to religious
weapons such as holy water or a crucifix that are popular weapons
against vampires. The most widely accepted method of werewolf
slaying is with a silver bullet. Silver daggers or knives are also
thought to be effective weapons against an attacking werewolf.
Shape-shifting creatures that are similar to werewolves are found in
tales and legends from all over the world.
Werewolf and vampire stories were often used to explain serial
killings in earlier times.
Clinical Lycanthropy is a medical condition in which the patient
believes he or she is an animal and has been believed to be a
condition that could have sparked some the more ancient werewolf
tales. A sufferer of this "disease" is usually triggered by the belief
that they are destined to change form. A variety of life experiences
can trigger this feeling. The symptoms have included dry skin,
fatigue, eyes or hair changing color, hair growth and hands
changing. Rabies has also been suggested as the origination of
many werewolf tales because the symptoms of rabies and a
suspected wolf transformation are similar.
How to Become a Werewolf
There are several different ways that one is believed to become a
werewolf, besides being bitten or being afflicted with a curse.. One
popular legend is of the "magic belt". It is said that when someone
removes their clothing and puts on a special belt made of wolfskin,
that they can become a werewolf. The wearing of entire wolfskins
has also been mentioned throughout history. Some cultures, such
as in Brazil, believe that the seventh son after a line of six daughters
is born a werewolf. Some attribute werewolves to a divine
punishment and it was once thought that people who were
excommunicated from the catholic church became werewolves. A
pact with the devil to purposely gain the shape shifting abilities of a
werewolf has also been blamed. Drinking the water from an animal
footprint has been believed to cause someone to become a
werewolf as well.
The allure of the werewolf has made it a popular subject for many
books, television shows and films. Just as with vampires, there are
many people who firmly believe in the existence of werewolves and
some even claim to be werewolves.
The mythical and legendary werewolf is a monster that has a special
place in the hearts of society and werewolf tales will continue to be
told for centuries to come.
Werewolves Sightings
The supernatural is always written off by the non-believer as farce or tall tales; the case of werewolves is no different. The werewolf is said to be a beast that is a combination of man and wolf. They usually have the head of a wolf, or at the very least wolf-like features such as an elongated nose. Legends place these creatures under the full moon, walking on hind leg and, at times, terrorizing local populations. The werewolf has been a mix of legend and superstition throughout history, and this even went as far as a series of werewolf trials in 16th century France. Sightings of werewolves were not limited to this time period. In contemporary times, many have claimed to be in the presence of large, wolf-like creatures. To the non-believer, these events do not seem plausible, but to others the only logical explanation is that werewolves exist.
Some of the most notable American werewolf sightings have been in the state of Wisconsin. From 1936 to 1999 a total of nine sightings were reported in the Elkhorn and Jefferson County. Though these sightings were reported in a 63 year span, almost all descriptions of the beast were strikingly similar: tall, anywhere from 6 to 8 feet; standing on hind legs; brown or gray colored fur; a mixture of dog-like and human facial features; muscular with long claws; footprints larger than any known dog. Tales of this beast came to be known as the Bay Road Beast, after the most famous Halloween sighting in 1999. It was this sighting that prompted many other Wisconsin residents to come forth and admit seeing a similar creature. Their stories, all taking place well into the night, ranged from witnessing the creature jumping over a barbed wire fence, to attempts by the beast to enter homes. The beast was never caught, but the similarity in stories has made the Bray Road Beast one of the most creditable werewolf sighting ever recorded.
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