"The wolf is not just an animal,
but something inside you
that makes you want to fight back,
to come back, to be whole again."

• In Britain it was believed that if a wolf saw a man before he saw the wolf, the man would be struck dumb and could not cry out for help. If the man sees the wolf first, the wolf loses his ferocity and can't run away.
• In many parts of Europe they believe that if you say the word "Wolf" in December you will be attacked by one.
• The French, at one time, hung a wolf's tooth around a child's neck to protect it from evil spirits.
• Wolves give birth only in May and during thunderstorms.
• Hair taken from a specific area on the rump of a live wolf is an aphrodisiac.
• The eyes of a wolf will glow in the darkness.

History of the Wolf

• The Egyptian God Wepwawet was either pictured as a wolf or with a wolf head. A banner bearing his image was carried before the Pharoah in victory processions. However, both the Hindus and followers of the Zoroaster considered the wolf to be evil and a symbol of evil in human nature.
• Plato and Pausanias both wrote about the wolf cult in Arcadia, the initiates of the cult worshipped Zeus Lycaeus, called themselves Lukoi, and sacrificed and ate wolves. The wolf was also associated with Apollo, (who had a bronze wolf image at Delphi)
• Among the Celts, wolves were considered to be powerful, but helpful animals. Legend says that Cormac, King of Ireland, was always accompanied by them. The God Cernunnos was pictured with a wolf.
• Odhinn had two wolves as constant companions in Valhalla. When there was an eclipse it was said that the wolves temporarily swallowed the globe.
• The Valkyries were sometimes shown riding wolves, in their aspect of soul-collectors. This idea may have survived in the belief during the middle ages that witches in the form of werewolves rode wolves through the night.
• In pre-Christian Europe the wolf was a popular clan totem. Many clans were accused of turning themselves into wolves at certain times of the year. The reality behind this is that these clans dressed in wolf skins and masks for certain religious rites.
• Native Americans said that when the wolf howled, he created wind. If he continued to howl, fog came. They considered the Moon it's power ally.

Wolf Magick

• The Magickal attributes of the Wolf: Cunning, escaping hunters, ability to pass by dangers invisibly, outwitting those who wish you harm, fighting when necessary. Sometimes an Astral wolf will lead you to a Spiritual Teacher. Wisdom, hunting and seeking, magick, dreams, intuition, listening, death and rebirth, transformation. Strong protection. Spiritual guidance in dreams and meditation.
Wolves travel great distances in search of Truth and Knowledge and are thought to return to the clan to teach and share their Medicine. Wolf Medicine is enigmatic, it empowers the teacher hidden deep within to come forth and aid the children of Earth in understanding their place in the Universe

Wolf Credo

Respect the Elders
Teach the Young
Cooperate with the Pack
Play when you can
Hunt when you must
Rest in between
Share your Affection
Voice your Feelings
Leave your Mark!!!

Save the Wolf

• Wolves have long been mis-understood...at one time wolves were so common and dangerous in Britain that the month of January was set aside for hunting them. January was called Wolfmonat, or Wolf Month. Although wolves were exterminated in England in 1509, they could be found in the mountains of Scotland and Ireland until the beginning of the 18th century.
• The gray wolf once ranged over the entire western hemisphere, from Central Mexico to the Arctic regions (except in dry desert areas). In Asia it prowled as far south as parts of India. It disappeared from Britain and most of Europe hundreds of years ago.
• Fortunately today, there are several groups in the US that are devoted to raising and studying wolves with a goal to stop their extinction. There is a large wolf preserve in Washington State that offers guided tours and if you arrange to go there near the Full Moon and just at dusk, you will be treated to a symphony of wolf calls by the entire population. Although, this is something that would be much better and more natural, heard in the wild.
• Use your Free Speech to speak out about the hunting of wolves. Remember that a wolf is a beautiful, spiritual animal. Not a target for testosterone overloaded men with big guns. And please do what you can to help save the wolf.......

THE WOLF

Feared and hated by men the world over, the mighty wolf has been plagued by all forms of evil stories, myths and legends. Hunted, trapped and killed to the point of extinction, many of these majestic animals are gone forever -- their breeds and blood lines never to be seen again.

In spite of the many horror stories of wolves hunting, tracking and killing humans, no such event has ever been confirmed. Their eerie and lonely howl, which can make the blood run cold, is merely their form of communication. Each howl, with its tone, depth, length and frequency carries a different message to the pack, or to the partner who is out of sight. They're merely "talking".

If you carry wolf medicine, here are some characteristics that sound familiar to you:

You are fiercely loyal -- to friends, family, ideals and principles. There is no compromise for you.

You are very territorial. You protect all that is yours and your family's at any expense. You are fearless in your protection, but not reckless. You plan your strategy carefully, and wait for the opportune moment for most powerful effect.

You have a strong family structure. There is no doubt who the elders, patriarchs and parents are, or about their roles in the family structure. Disobedience, selfishness and unruly behavior is not tolerated as there are strong boundaries for the young. They are taught well and carefully so that they may assume leadership roles in their own family structures.

You have an unrelenting sense of adventure. You love to explore new things, to stretch out for new horizons. You have a thirst for knowledge and for learning new things. You are eager to share these things, which makes you a natural teacher. Your adventures may take you away from home and family, but it is important that you have this base of security to return to.

You have an unrelenting need to be alone. You are so busy being the protector, the provider, the teacher, and the trailblazer, that it's very easy for you to become exhausted and burned out. In order to re-charge your spirit, and keep your balance, it is critical that you have time to be alone with your thoughts and your own sense of self. This is one side of your nature that must not be overlooked. Even if you lock yourself in the bathroom for 15 minutes a day, the time alone must be honored if you are to have value to those you care for.

Wolf is power.
Wolf is honor.
Wolf is integrity.
Brother Wolf; Sister Wolf -- I honor you
Julia White - Animal Walk

WOLF

He stands alone always watchful, ever vigilant His stature brings us courage and pride He guards that which is most precious to us The pathway to our souls We watch his beauty in awe His presence lends flight to our dreams and fears When we look into our secret wishes He is what we long to see He brings comfort and unease We trust in his strength and light Yet we fear, for he knows that which is in our hearts We yearn to be near that which is wild and free He is the guardian of the wood, master of all who bide within He will welcome you to his domain, provided you pay his price The task is always hard, but never cruel Tis' but a small price to pay for the reward you will reap Most would do anything for the love of a Wolf. ~~Jayde Panthyr©1998

     

     














Graphic Copyright © July 2001, by Venus. All Rights Reserved.