Legends & Folklore

There are some who hold the belief that ‘lycanthropy’ is science’s way of explaining what can not be–and that is the connection between the human beings and others in the animal species. Let’s look at some of the history and how far back these legends go. While none of it is proof of anything definitive, it shows a deep belief that there were many sides to a human’s spirit, and part of that included animals. Each legend varies as far as what causes a person to be able to shape-shift and some say not all are willing. Whether it is looked at as a gift or a curse it is certainly interesting how long the legends have been around. Theriacephaly, or a human having an animal head goes back to many of the ancient mythologies such as Anubis in the Egyptian legends who was said to have the head of a jackal. There are even Eastern Orthodox references to Saint Christopher having the head of a dog and of course many in modern Wicca pay homage to the Horned God. From all of these stories comes the definitive message that man and animal are deeply connected.

Shape shifting, or the act of one species taking on the full or partial form of another for a period of time, has its place in many legends throughout history. Cave drawings discovered in Ariege, France have images of half animal/half human creatures, giving way to the knowledge that these types of legends go back even farther than once thought. Where did these legends come from? Indeed why was it believed that either by will or involuntarily, a person could change forms? With all that we know now of the physical impossibility of such a thing, why do people still believe there are those who may walk normally among the human race that have the ability to take on animal like characteristics? The legends of shape-shifting are varied as far as the type of animal a person becomes. In rare cases, the belief for some is so strong that it actually gave birth to a diagnosable condition for those who think they can transform into a half human-half animal creature. It was said to generally accompany such mental illnesses as schizophrenia and manic depression and included symptoms of what was described as full blown psychosis. Hallucinations, and changes in gait and facial expressions were noted. Ironically, though the condition has the reputation of being associated with the belief in werewolves (half human/half wolf), the actual documented cases had a larger variety of animals mentioned.

There are some who hold the belief that ‘lycanthropy’ is science’s way of explaining what can not be–and that is the connection between the human beings and others in the animal species. Let’s look at some of the history and how far back these legends go. While none of it is proof of anything definitive, it shows a deep belief that there were many sides to a human’s spirit, and part of that included animals. Each legend varies as far as what causes a person to be able to shape-shift and some say not all are willing. Whether it is looked at as a gift or a curse it is certainly interesting how long the legends have been around. Theriacephaly, or a human having an animal head goes back to many of the ancient mythologies such as Anubis in the Egyptian legends who was said to have the head of a jackal. There are even Eastern Orthodox references to Saint Christopher having the head of a dog and of course many in modern Wicca pay homage to the Horned God. From all of these stories comes the definitive message that man and animal are deeply connected.