Monstrum Athenaeum Tearing open the cryptid world of werewolves, vampires & zombies.
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Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by monsters and cryptids. But of all the creepy crawlers out there, none has enthralled me quite like werewolves. In fact, as a young child, every night I used to wish that I could figure out how to become a werewolf.
As an adult, the longing never went away; despite my parents insistence that I needed to let go of childhood fantasies. Quite the opposite – the rationale behind this particular desire makes even more sense to me now. And compared to other cryptids, the choice is crystal clear.
For example, learning how to become a vampire (which sounds utterly annoying to me) and giving up my entire human life seems less palatable. On the other hand, werewolves can live more or less normal lives for the majority of the month. But I digress, this isn’t a wer vs. vamp hit piece; it’s my personal opinion. I’m just quite fond of those quirky werewolf abilities that come along with the package.
So why do I want to become a lycanthrope? Well, for starters, I’ve never fit in with humans, although I get along well with them. To be honest, the thought of being ordinary, carrying on a monotonous life, figuratively sucks the oxygen from my lungs.
I feel like a cryptid on the inside – I want to be one on the outside!
To help bring my lifelong dream to fruition, I began researching all available options. Surprisingly, I found a diverse list of possibilities offering me the hope of choosing between the life of a human and deciding to become a wolf when the moon is full. But enough about me, you came here because you want to answer the question, “How can you become a werewolf?”
I’m sharing a bit of what I learned with you for two reasons. First, we must have something in common or else you wouldn’t be reading my words. My gift to you. Second, hopefully, you can succeed where I have failed and return the favor.
Before I run through my list of 10 ways I learned how to become a werewolf, it’s important to consider carefully the potential ramifications of making the decision to inflict yourself with the werewolf disease. A disclaimer if you will. If success finds you, keep in mind your life would be permanently altered, for better or worse. There’s no guaranteed way, aside from death, to cure the lycanthropic affliction.
If you’re acutely aware of these factors and still wish to transform yourself into a werewolf, then perhaps the following information will help you on your journey.
Get Bitten by a Werewolf
Everyone knows this – the most direct way to catch lycanthropy is to be bitten by a werewolf. In reality, getting chomped on by a shapeshifter is also one of the least successful ways to become a werewolf. The odds of being bitten by a werewolf (and living) are slim to none, especially if you don’t know a lycanthrope willing to hold back.
True, you could improve your chances by taking a full moonlit stroll through the woods, but there are obvious reasons this would be unsafe. Any werewolf roaming the forest is bound to be on the hunt, and if it found you, then my best guess is no one else ever will.
You’ll probably need to utilize an alternative method unless you know where to find a werewolf.
Author’s Note: Beware scam artists, sexual predators, and criminals pretending to be werewolves. http://www.werewolves.com/please-turn-me-into-a-werewolf/
Be the Child of Two Werewolves
Unless both your parents were secretly werewolves you’re already out of luck. As for the odds of that, I’d say even rarer than being bitten by a werewolf. Besides it still might not work. The werewolf gene is recessive. Ergo, human genes in a family line, could still result in a human child even if two werewolves mated. This site has the right idea: http://www.gods-and-monsters.com/werewolf-gene.html
Author’s note: The recessive gene is one reason I believe there are fewer werewolves alive today than two hundred years ago.
Be the Recipient of the Werewolf Curse
Here’s the deal, those black & white werewolf movies involving Gypsy curses aren’t that far from the truth. True, those films hammed it up quite a bit but don’t let that dissuade you from respecting Gypsies or their curses.
Ironically, we’re now talking about how to get cursed and how to become a werewolf in 2016 whereas a hundred or so years ago, people would be pleading with Gypsies to remove the curse. In 1916, this list and entry might have been called Top 10 Ways I Learned How To Break The Werewolf Curse: How to break a Gypsy’s curse.
You need to start by finding a gypsy who both knows the curse and then convincing him or her to grant your request. I don’t recommend starting off with the question, “How can I become a wolf?” Try being strategic. An excellent resource detailing the many Gypsy and Traveler Groups in the United States and their origins is The Gypsy Lore Society. http://www.gypsyloresociety.org/additional-resources/gypsy-and-traveler-culture-in-america
Author’s Note: It hasn’t gone without my notice that the recent discovery of werewolf sightings in Southern California happens to be in the same general vicinity of a Gypsie enclave. Back in 2009, I was well aware that there was a community of 100+ gypsies living in the area.
Harness Your willpower With a Self-Visualization Spell
While I’ve run across many variations of spells to turn into a werewolf; I tip my hat to werewolves.com for perhaps the easiest spell yet. Although the spell is simple, it has two parts and requires diligence. You must first accept your humanity and then choose to put it aside.
To accept your humanity, you’ll need a mirror, a dark room, and a small light – a candle will do. For five days in a row, at the same time, enter the dark room and shine the light just brightly enough to make out your reflection in the mirror. Spend the next ten to fifteen minutes focusing on every physical aspect of your human form. Don’t think about becoming a werewolf during this time. Instead, reflect on your humanity and give yourself positive affirmations.
After the fifth day, the time has come to put your humanity aside. Discard the mirror and the light. Spend three more weeks visualizing yourself as the wolf you wish to become. Keep up this routine at the same time each day and for the same duration as you did in the first part of this spell.
If done correctly and with enough will, advocates of this magical werewolf spell say you’ll become the wolf you envisioned during the next full moon.
Finding spells to become a werewolf in real life isn’t easy. Unfortunately, this spell never worked for me because I have the attention span of a gnat and spending three weeks repetitively doing anything is a lost cause. Perhaps you have more willpower than me and with it, greater success. http://www.werewolves.com/spell-to-become-a-werewolf/
An Old, Bizarre Russian Ritual
Because a list of anything isn’t complete until it includes a Russian ritual, right? Russian folklore speaks of a very precise ritual transforming a person into a werewolf. Unfortunately, I only know part of the ritual and I wouldn’t consider this one of the easiest spells to become a werewolf.
The ritual starts by entering a forest and finding a fallen tree. Once you find one, jump over it and then stab it with a copper knife. Reciting a verse is supposed to accompany this ritual, but the exact text was lost to history. Ah, don’t be sad, you may be in luck.
As it turns out, in 1872, Ralston published “The Songs of The Russian People” which included a section on werewolves. You can, by the grace of Google, read his entire book for free. Starting on page 404, you’ll find all the werewolf goodness. It’s a really awesome section if you haven’t read it.
In the ocean sea, on the island Buyan, in the open plain, shines the moon upon an aspen stump, into the green wood, into the spreading vale. Around the stump goes a shaggy wolf; under his teeth are all the horned cattle; but into the wood the wolf goes not, in the vale the wolf does not roam. Moon, moon! golden horns! Melt the bullet, blunt the knife, rot the cudgel, strike fear into man, beast, and reptile, so that they may not seize the grey wolf, nor tear from him his warm hide. My word is firm, firmer than sleep or the strength of heroes (p.406)
You’re welcome!
Create a Magical Potion
Here’s the deal with werewolf shapeshifting potions. They contain ingredients known to be fatal. I caution anyone exploring this path to take the time to understand any health risks associated with drinking home brewed concoctions. I’m not going to give you the exact recipe because I don’t want to be responsible for your death.
Back before modern science told us it was impossible, the world accepted that witches could transform into werewolves by drinking potions containing northern Wolfsbane (Aconitum). They’d grind it up into the carrier liquid of their choice and gulp it down, in its entirety.
Over 400 years ago, Olaus Magnus wrote in A Description of the Northern Peoples of magical “ales” that transformed men into wolves.
He achieves this means of changing shape, in direct opposition to Nature’s laws, if someone skilled in sorcery, repeating certain words, offers him a beaker of ale to drink…Later, whenever he finds it appropriate, he can transfer completely from a man’s form to that of a wolf… (18:46)
Although the shapeshifting elixir, if correctly made, still might work today, you need to be careful. Aconitum is incredibly poisonous and lethal. If you don’t believe me, then read this article about a poor gardener who died by just touching the plant. This stuff isn’t called the devil’s helmet for nothing!
The groundsman, from Aldershot, was experienced at looking after the gardens at the mansion but collapsed and died after apparently brushing against the deadly flower aconitum – also known as devil’s helmet and monkshood – which was growing in the grounds.
You might try a non-lethal potion first, one that doesn’t use Wolfsbane. http://www.spellsofmagic.com/spells/fantasy_spells/were-wolf_spells/16210/page.html
Author’s Note: Best you discuss your needs with an old world apothecary before venturing alone down this road.
Rub a Magical Salve on Your Body
I know, it sounds kinky but just go with it. As an alternative to drinking potentially lethal potions, magical salves are touted as effective techniques for achieving the transformation into a wolf.
This particular salve recipe requires some unusual ingredients. Witches are believed to have been proficient at creating the mixture for themselves and also readily supplying those with the desire to become a werewolf. If you can’t find a recipe that works, try contracting with a reputable witch. I’d keep an eye on the price, though; witches are shrewd negotiators.
I’m not going to give you the exact recipe because the ingredients are known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Not to mention some are psychotropic so at a minimum you might hallucinate that you’ve become a werewolf and end up like this fool. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/watch-terrifying-moment-naked-werewolf-7543464
At a high level, the ingredients call for henbane, the root of deadly nightshade, silverweed, bat’s blood and soot suspended together into a salve. Apply the magical salve on your body outside, underneath the light of the full moon.
One of the earliest references linking ointments to lycanthropy is found in the Restitution of Decayed Intelligence written in 1628 by Richard Verstegan. Again you’re in luck because you can read Restitution of Decayed Intelligence for free thanks to Google.
The Werewolves are certain sorcerers, who having anointed their bodies, with an Ointment which they make by the instinct of the Devil. (237)
Author’s Note: I can’t warn you enough – be very careful with deadly nightshade.
Find a Wolf’s Paw Print in the Forest
Perhaps the easiest and less dangerous method, one of the most enduring werewolf legends is that anyone who drinks water from a wolf’s paw print will turn into a lycanthrope. The only catch is that it must be a real, wild wolf. http://www.livescience.com/24412-werewolves.html
Jumping over the fence at a zoo or drinking from your German Shepard’s print in your backyard won’t work. Please don’t ask me how I know, just trust me, it doesn’t work. If it makes it a bit easier, the paw print need not be filled with rain water. No rain storm, no problem. Just make sure you have some water with you that can be poured into the print before you drink it.
Keep an eye out for tracks the next time you’re backpacking through the wilderness. You may just get lucky!
Author’s Note: If nothing else, telling your comrades you know how to turn into a wolf makes a great campfire story. Don’t forget to drool and run off abruptly into the night – that should put the fear of death in them.
Strap On A Wolf Belt
The advantage of a wolf belt, or girdle, over smelly balms or potions is that the wearer becomes a lycanthrope whenever and for however long they would like. Upon removing the belt, the transformation is reversed.
Your best bet for finding a wolf belt in modern times may be to start visiting antique and occult stores. Here’s a tip on what to look for – wolf belts, or wolf girdles, were made from either the flesh of a human or wolf. For clarity purposes, let’s draw a distinction between the two.
Wolf belts made from human flesh were used primarily by werewolves who preferred the taste of human flesh. Belts made from wolf skin and fur were preferred by werewolves seeking the transformation for other reasons. Best to be careful with your selection.
You can also find references to wolf belts in Restitution of Decayed Intelligence written in 1628 by Richard Verstegan.
And putting on a certain enchanted girdle, does not only unto the view of others, seem as wolves, but to their own thinking have both the shape and nature of wolves, so long as they wear the girdle. (237)
I wouldn’t advocate making a deal with the Devil like Peter Stubbe. His price for learning how to shapeshift into a wolf was quite high.
Eating a Wolf’s Kill (This one is gross)
If a wolf or werewolf kills another animal without subsequently eating the entire carcass, you may be in luck. That pile of rotting flesh may be just what you need to transform.
Get ready to go all zombie because legend has it that eating the brain of a werewolf or wolf’s kill transmits the werewolf infection just like being bitten. Be cautious, though, interrupting a wolf’s meal or consuming food not adequately cooked may be hazardous to your health.
Author’s Note: If the prey were human then it would be a homicide scene, and you’d be committing a crime. Just a thought.
Bonus Round: Eat the Brains of A Werewolf
Since we’re on the topic of brains, if you happen to have the opportunity, eating the brains of a werewolf would be your best bet to confer lycanthropy onto yourself. As I understand it, the disease doesn’t survive long in a dead body. Relatively quickly, transferred blood or saliva loses the ability to infect a new host. We’re talking a matter of hours. However, the disease survives much longer, up to several days in a werewolf’s brain. http://www.mythicalcreaturesguide.com/page/Werewolf
Author’s Note: Be careful, though. Whatever killed the creature can’t be too far away and obviously has a taste for shapeshifters. Don’t put yourself on the menu.
