HatH - Guest post and giveaway from author Dani Harper

10 Werewolf Myths and Legends

Talk werewolf to me.

You know you want to. With the approach of Halloween, it’s the PERFECT time to tell tales of the tall, dark and furry.

I collect stories, myths and legends of the paranormal, and my obsession with wolfenshapeshifters in particular has led to a series of PNR novels– Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream and Changeling Dawn. The stories center around the Macleod family, who are able to become wolves at will. Forced to leave their native Scotland almost two centuries ago when wolves were being exterminated there, they found refuge in northern Canada. They've lived there ever since, hiding in plain sight.

The Macleods and all their friends live as humans – they have jobs and pay bills and go to school and mow the grass and do all the things that humans do. They call themselves Changelings, and view their wolfen side as a wonderful gift, but it also complicates their lives, sometimes dangerously so. Especially when it comes to relationships….


So that’s my personal werewolf mythology. But I’ve brought along 10 of my favorite legends to share with you – and I didn’t make them up!

1.Werewolves can be created in a variety of ways. Some say that it's a curse or divine punishment, or the result of deals made with dark forces. Others suggest that werewolves can be born naturally, become a werewolf through the bite of another werewolf, or obtain their powers by wearing an enchanted wolf skin or belt. My favorite - drinking water from the footprints of a wolf!

2.Legends say that you can figure out who is a werewolf by looking for certain signs --- red hair, born on the 25th of December, eyebrows that join in the middle, index and middle fingers are of the same length, a love of rare or raw meat, and hairs on the palms of the hands!

3.The concept that werewolves were influenced by the full moon is a recent addition to the myth. The idea took shape in the 17th and 18th centuries and has grown since then. However, the earlier legends make no mention of the moon.

4.Shapeshifters don’t belong to one country or culture in particular. Instead, stories and myths of werewolves and other changelings can be found all around the world, in both ancient and modern times.

5.Werewolfism was once believed to be part of witchcraft in most of Europe. Men and women accused of being witches were also thought to command wolves and even ride them like horses. The witches were said to have turned into wolves themselves and killed both cattle and humans.

6.In Henrico County, Virginia, there are accounts of werewolf sightings which describe a greyish white creature covered in fur with a wolf-like face. It can apparently run on all fours or walk upright, and often howls. Residents are divided as to whether the creature is an ongoing hoax or a genuine animal.

7.French Canadian legends tell of the Loup Garou. Men become wolves under the Devil's spell when they don't fulfill their duties to the Church. The only way to cure them is for someone to recognize them in their animal form, and prick them with a knife to allow the "bad" blood to leave their body.

8.In Portugal, one type of werewolf is known as the Lobis-Homen. Transformed against his will by a spell, the creature is said to be timid and does not attack people. Rather, it runs around at night, howling, and will run away if it sees a human or a light.

9.Icelandic werewolf legends include the Bishop of Holar,around 1500. He is said to have practiced and taught black magic, and knew several spells to turn himself and the monks of the large Catholic school in Holar into werewolves.

10.“The Beast of Bray Road” was first reported in the 1980s on a rural road outside of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, but ranges into Illinois as well. Often referred to as the "American Werewolf," it is described as a very tall furry creature with the face and ears of a wolf. Witnesses claim it ranges from 400 to 700 pounds, and is able to walks on two or four legs at will.

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I hope you enjoyed this little venture into werewolfery! Now for the goodies! Leave a comment telling me your favorite paranormal creature or character and you’ll be entered in my giveaway.  Read event rules and guidelines before entering. 

Prize is “reader’s choice” of TWO of my three shapeshifter novels, Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream and Changeling Dawn (Kindle or print).

(Apologies to my non-US fans! I know I usually open my giveaways to international, but right now I’m in the middle of moving across country with two pickup trucks and two pugs. So US only this time.)

Dani Harper
www.daniharper.com

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