Halloween starts early- Werewolves

It's that time of year again where the leaves start falling off the trees and people start wearing jackets. It's also the time of year when people enjoy getting the bejezzus scared out of them. So it seems only fitting that we start the Halloween season a bit early this year. And for you guys that means only one thing: Monsters!!! That's right kiddies, your old Uncle Crypt Keeper has decided to give you the low down on some select creepy critters as this joyous season rolls on. And for our first I'm going to tell you all about the Werewolf. Here we go:

The origins of werewolves is unclear but it likely it started in Europe. Werewolves were said to bear tell-tale traits in European folklore. These included the meeting of both eyebrows at the bridge of the nose, curved fingernails, low set ears, and a long swinging stride. One way to identifying a werewolf in its human form was to cut the flesh of the accused, under the pretense that fur would be seen within the wound. The appearance of a werewolf in its wolf form varies from culture to culture, though they are most commonly portrayed as being indistinguishable from ordinary wolves save for the fact that they have no tail, and that they retain human eyes and a human voice.

The Roman poet Ovid described the symptoms of Lycaon, one of the first mythological werewolves;

In vain he attempted to speak; from that very instant
His jaws were bespluttered with foam, and only he thirsted
For blood, as he raged among flocks and panted for slaughter.
His vesture was changed into hair, his limbs became crooked;
A wolf-he retains yet large trace of his ancient expression,
Hoary he is afore, his countenance rabid,
His eyes glitter savagely still, the picture of fury

The most common and well known way to become a werewolf is to be bitten by one but this is a rare occurrence in the old legends and most likely comes from modern horror stories. Other ways were to remove all clothing and put on a wolf skin belt, or drinking from the footprint of a werewolf. Werewolves wee known to have many weaknesses which included wolfsbane, silver or silver objects, rye, and mistletoe. But, unlike vampires, werewolves were never known to be harmed by religious artifacts like crucifixes or holy water. Various methods have existed for removing the werewolf curse. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed in the power of exhaustion in curing people of lycanthropy. The victim would be subjected to long periods of physical activity in the hope of being purged of the malady. This practice stemmed from the fact that many alleged werewolves would be left feeling weak and debilitated after periods of transformation. Conversion to Christianity was also a common method of removing the werewolf curse in the medieval period. And the rest is history...

Well that was a fun little trip into the strange and mysterious world of monsters. I hope you guys had fun, I know I sure did.
Good luck out there in the big scary world kids.
As for me, I have to see a man about a tauntaun. Until next time...