Horror films portray all werewolves as evil. There are known benign and intelligent werewolves that are common in many legends but less known. The werewolves of Ossory are very interesting legendary creatures. Mentioned in a book Topographia Hibernica or "The Geography of Ireland," by Gerald of Wales of the 12the century. He wrote of his travels there and highlights a story of a travelling priest who encountered werewolves including a healer and a sick female. When the priest did the viaticum rite on the dying female, it relieved the werewolves of a curse and they turned human.
The place of Ossory is now referred to as being within the counties Kilkenny and Laois. The people living there centuries ago were cursed by Saint Natalis. Every seven years they become wolves and spend the rest of their lives as such. After seven years they would return to human form, only for other people to become wolves for seven years. These were descendants of a fabled warrior named Laignech Faelad. He was the legendary werewolf warrior of Ireland.
Most female werewolves are historically often considered witches. They've been misunderstood, attacked, butchered, shot at, killed and tried for witchcraft then executed. The Faoladh female werewolves were known for their kindness. They were protectors and guardians, who helped lost travellers through dense forests, and they cared for children. They had earned respect even from royals.
Women in mainland Europe transformed into wolves to defend their families. Maternal instincts of female werewolves have been known for since ancient times and this is well known in the myths of Luperca, the wolf mother. She found abandoned human babies, the twin brother infants Romulus and Remus, then cared for them, nurtured, fed and raised them in her den. Soon a shepherd came upon the children and adopted them. The boys worked as shepherds and then they grew up to become fierce warriors, eventually they founded the city of Rome, named after the victorious brother Romulus. Today the city of Rome has many statues of the she-wolf Luperca, a symbol of the loving protective mother who protected human babies. Luperca is a symbol of Rome and she's part of the main city's culture, identity and heritage.
In Native American beliefs, the legendary White Wolf Woman symbolises transformation, spiritual guidance, who appears sometimes as a human to connect both worlds. She is very wise with knowledge of nature, insight, healing, the psyche, loyalty and courage.
Besides myth and legends, there are real life "wolf women" but these are NOT werewolves. One is Anneka Svenska, nicknamed "wolf girl," a TV presenter and conservationist. She delivers entertaining and beautifully constructed videos educating the public about wolves, dogs, foxes and other animals, bringing awareness to the wide public who should understand we share the world with other animals. Similar women includes author Clarissa Pinkola Estes whose book "Women Who Run with the Wolves" published in 1989 inspired me. There is Women For Wolves who protect endangered animals and offer sanctuary to them with a mystical "feminine connection to the natural world". Li Weiyi is China's own "Wolf girl" an author and conservationist. Zhou Xinyue is the "Queen of Wolves" who helps wolves and has done so since very young, bringing important lessons to the public raising awareness about wolves. There are so many blessed beautiful wolf ladies around the world too many to name, who protect and guard animals, sharing their wisdom.
The reason people fear the natural world is because they don't know anything about it. Teach them and they'll become respectful.
She Wolf Night
