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Werewolf History:
Although most people know werewolves as simply creatures of nightmares and from horror
movies, they were once viewed as real beasts who killed savagely. The creatures are less feared in today's society but the
sheer terror can still be inflicted; fear of wolves and things that go bump in the night is almost natural though not true.
The history of the werewolf can be traced back to Greek mythology, when the god Lykaon was turned into a wolf after
serving Zues human flesh. This myth helped fuel a cult in Arcadia which involved human sacrifice and the thought of transformation
into wolves. Although lycanthropy is usually associated with the metamorphosis into a wolf-human hybrid, different legends
include the mutation into bears, cats and birds of prey or other type of animals.
During the medieval times, the fear
of werewolves took grip of Europe. Wolves were rumored to attack man, as wolves during those times had no reason to fear man;
guns were unheard of. In most of Europe, the fear of werewolves included wolfmen ("berserkers") who wore wolves skin and killed
savagely (possibly cause from Lycanthropy). Germans, however, viewed the wolf with honor. Names such as Wolfgang and Wolfhard
were common. As Christianity slowly gained prominence, such beliefs were condemned as Satanic and wolves were seen as servants
of the devil.
Philosophers and religious thinkers contemplated the theory that perhaps the person did not physically
change into a wolf but had been tricked by Satan into acting like the creatures. Generally, though, most believe that only
God has the ability to change the body or mind of man.
Do werewolves really exist?
Very good question, but first we must define just what a werewolf is.
We
all know about the werewolf myths, stories about people who turn into evil wolf-like monsters under the light of the full
moon to eat the flesh of humans, and who only can be defeated by silver. Okay, now take all of that crap that you've learned
from movies and so on and toss it out the window. All these sayings about wolves being evil demons, and that you can turn
into one through "satanic powers", getting bitten by one and so on.
But, there are actual werewolves in this world
today. And remember, this is entirely different from what has been rumored or what has been "created". Werewolves or weres
for short (or more correcty, spiritual therianthropes) have very little in common with the myth we know all too well. Spiritual
therianthropes are individuals who feel a deep connection with one or more animals, or sees aspects of animals manifest in
his/her behavior and personality. Many therianthropes believe that an animal spirit is an integeral aspect of their being.
Many also experience mental shifts, in which their personality takes on aspects of an animal, to a point that it is readily
recognized by the outside world. Some see their animal aspects as a balance to their human selves, teaching them their place
in the natural world, and so, many are environmenally- oriented. Still others simply know they have a connection to an animal,
even if it doesn't seem to manifest behaviorally. A rare few individuals claim to be physical therianthropes, beings that
have the ability to physically change form, yet no proof has ever been brought forward. Finally, not all therianthropes feel
a connection with wolves; There are werefoxes, werebears, werecats, and so on.
As you can see, beyond very basic definitions, it is very difficult to define just what
a therianthrope is, as each therianthrope expresses this aspect of himself/herself differently, hence the saying: "Ask ten
werewolves what it means to be a werewolf, and you'll get eleven different answers." In fact, some therianthropes are appalled
at any attempt to define what they are or otherwise limit the range of acceptable feelings, for when you "define something..
you automatically apply limits to it."
So, how can this be confused with Lycanthropy? Therianthropes do not apply
to violence or maintain themselves as savage beasts. Lycanthropy is more of the mind and mental state than that of the spirutual
state which Therians are of. There's no actual proof that these humans contain a part of them that is animal; it's just how
they feel: A strong connection with that animal and a belief that they are part of a certain animal that makes them whole.
In answering this question, we've also answered our original question: Yes, real werewolves DO exist.
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