Transylvania is such a well-known place, that for many, it can seem almost mythical and not real, bringing to mind craggy mountains, castles, and superstitions. It is however a very real place located in central Romania, and is well-known for its beautiful Carpathian mountain ranges, as well as – and most popularly – for being the home of vampires. This distinction has developed and grown over time, so much so, that many modern day people, if they hear the name “Transylvania” will automatically associate the place with vampires. Perhaps even more famously, there is one specific vampire that everyone knows that is said to call this place home – Dracula. Today, anyone visiting Transylvania will find remnants of the places that gave this area of the world so much fame. One such place is Bran Castle – more commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle” – which is considered the home of Dracula himself.
Is there any truth to the tales of vampires in Transylvania?
Well, that is a good question, and local folklore hints at a possible yes. One important thing to know – and support of this – is that the vampire – Transylvania connection did not originate with Dracula. In fact, there were a number of other writings about vampires living in Transylvania, including an 1849 story of vampires by Alexandre Dumas called Les Mille et un Fantomes, and Jules Vernes’ 1892 story entitled The Castle of the Carpathians which included vampires….books which came out well before Bram Stoker’s more famous novel Dracula which came out in 1897. So there is clearly some belief (and thus possible truth) in vampires that pre-date the famous Dracula stories.
Also, many Romanians and Transylvanians may be quick to say that no, they do not believe in vampires and their culture has no history of them and there is no truth behind tales of them in Transylvania. But this answer is too quick and should not be judged at face value – because if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that yes, these same people probably do in fact believe in vampires, and that yes, there are in fact tales of vampire beliefs in Transylvania. It’s just that they do not call them “vampires” – they call them the strigoi (souls rising from the dead) or pricolici (werewolves). Say one of these words to a Transylvanian and you’ll find recognition – and beliefs – that are strong and go far back in their folklore, legends, and beliefs.
Posted in: Werewolves.
Tagged: alexandre dumas · bram stoker · carpathian mountain · carpathians · central romania · fantomes · folklore · novel dracula · romanians · superstitions · transylvania · Vampires · vampires in transylvania
In 1996 in Banbirpur, India (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) there was a rash of sightings of a pack of huge wolves attacking a local village. The story was reported in newspapers at the time as “Man-Eating Wolves” attack small village in India. Reporters and villagers claimed that a huge gigantic wolf preyed upon a lady and her children as they were in a clearing at the edge of a small village. The wolf spotted an opening and grabbed a 4-year old child by the neck, carrying him off into the woods. 33 other children were taken away in a similar manner by what was believed to be a large pack of man-eating wolves.
Man-eating wolves are extremely rare to the area, and because of this rarity, villagers did not believe that just mere wolves were at fault. One conservationist named Ram Lakhan Singh even went so far as to say ”It’s the worst wolf menace anywhere in the world in at least 100 years”.
Vicious rumors started spreading regarding what else could be terrorizing the Indian village. Not only did villagers start accusing strangers and other villagers of the crimes, but at one point, werewolves were also rumored to be the menace that was attacking the villagers as wolves.
Posted in: werewolf sightings.
Tagged: india · local village · man-eating wolf · newspapers · sightings · werewolf sightings
The poem Der Vampir is believed to be the first poem about vampires. Written over 250 years ago in 1748 by poet Heinrich August Ossenfelder, the poem is not bloody and violent as you might expect it might be considering how vampires were thought to be at the time, but rather it talks about the kiss of a vampire. Here is the complete poem, translated from it’s original version:
Der Vampir (The Vampire)
by Heinrich August Ossenfelder
My dear young maiden clingeth
Unbending. fast and firm
To all the long-held teaching
Of a mother ever true;
As in vampires unmortal
Folk on the Theyse’s portal
Heyduck-like do believe.
But my Christine thou dost dally,
And wilt my loving parry
Till I myself avenging
To a vampire’s health a-drinking
Him toast in pale tockay.
And as softly thou art sleeping
To thee shall I come creeping
And thy life’s blood drain away.
And so shalt thou be trembling
For thus shall I be kissing
And death’s threshold thou’ it be crossing
With fear, in my cold arms.
And last shall I thee question
Compared to such instruction
What are a mother’s charms?
(And here is the German version)
Der Vampir, By: Heinrich August Ossenfelder
Mein liebes Mägdchen glaubet
Beständig steif und feste,
An die gegebnen Lehren
Der immer frommen Mutter;
Als Völker an der Theyse
An tödtliche Vampiere
Heyduckisch feste glauben.
Nun warte nur Christianchen,
Du willst mich gar nicht lieben;
Ich will mich an dir rächen,
Und heute in Tockayer
Zu einem Vampir trinken.
Und wenn du sanfte schlummerst,
Von deinen schönen Wangen
Den frischen Purpur saugen.
Alsdenn wirst du erschrecken,
Wenn ich dich werde küssen
Und als ein Vampir küssen:
Wenn du dann recht erzitterst
Und matt in meine Arme,
Gleich einer Todten sinkest
Alsdenn will ich dich fragen,
Sind meine Lehren besser,
Als deiner guten Mutter?
Posted in: Vampires.
Tagged: cold arms · der vampir · german poem · kiss · poem · poet heinrich · poetry · vampiere · vampire poem · Vampires
Many werewolves have found that spirituality has helped them on their path of self-discovery as werewolves. Now, I know the word “spirituality” can sometimes be a sensitive thing to say as many have the common misconception that spirituality is and must involve religion – and this is simply not true. Yes, religion can – and often does – include spirituality, but spirituality does not always have to include religion – and for many werewolves they are completely separate.
Spirituality is at its core about discovering and finding peace with your inner self. It’s about coming to terms with who you are and it’s about finding peace and joy inside. It’s about looking inwards and resolving inner conflicts and it’s about finding and understanding the core of your being. Many of the methods to achieving spirituality are some that we have discussed here. Things such as meditation and contemplation can lead to spiritual self-discovery which is essential to helping a werewolf come to terms with who and what he or she is.
It is often difficult for newer / younger werewolves to understand the importance spirituality must play in their lives in order for them to be whole. They are often overcome with strong emotions (loneliness, anger, confusion, etc.) which come with the beginning part of figuring out that you are different from everyone and have a secret that others would never understand. The journey for many werewolves is not an easy or short one, but once these initial emotions have subsided many have found that the path to spirituality helps bring a certain satisfaction, peace, and wholeness to their being.
Posted in: Werewolves.
Tagged: common misconception · confusion · contemplation · finding peace · inner conflicts · journey · loneliness · meditation · peace and joy · religion · satisfaction · self discovery
One popular question that many people would like to know is how to kiss a werewolf so that they become werewolves themselves. The rumor behind this thought is that if you could either get a kiss from a werewolf, or be able to kiss a werewolf you’d be able to become one yourself. One of the reasons this rumor started was because many believe that there is a type of werewolf virus or infection that makes you a werewolf, and that the kiss of a werewolf would help that virus / infection spread. The concept behind this is similar to the concept of how a cold would spread….the mouth passes a concentration of the infection on to the other person.
What’s interesting is that this idea is similar to another talked about method of becoming a werewolf – which is being bitten by a werewolf. Some think that being bitten by a werewolf makes you one yourself because the bite spreads the infection to the person that is bitten (similar to the kiss situation). The whole question I guess comes down to is being a werewolf somehow infectious?
If the answer is yes, then the kiss of a werewolf could very well make you one yourself. And if the answer is yes, then how would you kiss a werewolf so that you become one? If the rumor is true, to have any possibility of becoming one yourself, you’d have to kiss them on the lips.
Learn about the vampire’s kiss.
Posted in: Werewolves.
Tagged: becoming a werewolf · how to become a werewolf? · how to kiss · kiss of a werewolf · lips · love · romance · virus · virus infection
TaYlOr WoLf Of NeW
Värlôc
Aplha wolf Rayne
Jenna
me
lee ann
zach
.::Dark::.The Dem...
Lone Wolf/Panther
Aconissa