n the Egyptian Book of
the Dead, several chapters are devoted to human transformations into
animal forms. These transformations all occurred within the realm
of the dead and were meant to help the deceased make their journey
through this realms into the kingdom of Osiris, more correctly identified
by the ancient Kemitic designation, Ausar. Most of the shape-shifting
took place for the purpose of making the soul perfect in the Dead-lands.
Shape Shifting is a catch-all term often used to describe various
types of change. Even in everyday use, this holds true. For a spiritual
Lycanthrope, it is a reference to a change in mental state, in spiritual
or aural makeup, or a change in actual physical form. It is the latter
of these concerns us most. The techniques, methods, results and stories
about shifting are endless and as we have learned from the ancient
Kemites, are by no means a new concept.
Various cultures and groups still use ecstatic trances, states of
possession and altered states of consciousness to their own ends
and these we have come to know largely through the filter of European
anthropologists of the last century.
Shamans, especially those who practice classic shamanism as in Siberian
and Arctic tribes, could be said to use a form of shifting when they
ply their trade. Their movements of ecstasy when their Power Animal
or Spirit Guides take over their body or when the shaman’s
spirit leaves his body to enter the Otherworld, could be an ancient
form of what we might term a shift if looked at from our perspective.
Often, these spirits that the shaman deals with are external and
are used as messengers and guides during his trances, some are used
in a more intimate way, or rather, they use the shaman. The shaman’s
spirits are not limited in form, as they can appear as bears, stags,
great worms, phantoms, wood spirits, hearth spirits, wolves, and
so on. Their forms, names and numbers differ from region to region.
To the American Indians of the Great Plains, the forms were known
as the skin walker or the limikkin. In the villages of Argentina,
its name is lobison. In Bulgaria, the shifter was called vrokolak,
in Ethiopia, Morocco and Tanzania, the boudas; in Japan, the kitsune;
and in Italy, the lupo manero.
Of all the animal forms, that of the wolf demands particular interest
for it is this form that instills the greatest degree of terror
and fear. It was for this reason that sorcerers and others who
practiced the dark arts often opted for the wolf form when shifting.
Like the Kemites, other ancient civilizations shared the belief
that such a transformation could take place through the use of
magic-- or through the judgment of the supernatural deities, which
governed the affairs of the cosmos. As such, there arose a number
of methods by which this transformation would take place:
1. Eating the brain of a wolf
2. Drinking from the paw print of a wolf or from a pool that wolves
have drunk from.
3. Eating roasted wolf flesh
4. Wearing or smelling the plant wolfsbane
5. Tasting human flesh
6. Wearing a wolf-skin garment
7. Wearing a belt made from the skin of an executed criminal
8. Being born on Christmas Eve
9. Being bitten by a werewolf
The ancient Greeks recount the case of Lyacon, who was known to be
a cruel cult leader. The god Jupiter Jupiter learned of the gruesome
atrocities committed by Lyacon. Jupiter confronted the cult-- after
which the members attempted to pay homage to him. However, Lyacon
did not believe that the one who confronted them was actually the
god Jupiter. He sought to deceive the visitor by preparing a meal
which, unbeknownst to anyone else, consisted of human flesh. If this
being was truly Jupiter, Lyacon rationalized, he would certainly
discern the nature of the food and decline it, for the act of cannibalism
was a great offense.
The god did indeed recognize the flesh and grew furious at Lyacon’s
treachery. Wanting to avoid the wrath of Jupiter, Lyacon fled into
the countryside where, to his horror, he began to transform into
a hideous combination of man and wolf. Thus the final punishment
of Jupiter upon Lyacon is exacted. It is from Lyacon’s name
that we derive the word “Lycanthrope”, or werewolf.
Dr.
William Lester has researched, written and published books and articles
on the paranormal and unexplained. He is the founder of the American
Institute of Metaphysics which offers a broad home-study curriculum
of courses based on the paranormal. He may be contacted through his
websites at www.instituteofmetaphysics.com and www.mysticdr.com
Dr.
William Lester has researched, written and published books and articles
on the paranormal and unexplained. He is the founder of the American
Institute of Metaphysics which offers a broad home-study curriculum
of courses based on the paranormal. He may be contacted through his
websites at www.instituteofmetaphysics.com and www.mysticdr.com 
