Myth and more
Good Morning, All.
It has been brought to my attention by others that some of you feel that your e-mails are not reaching their destination. I will post my e-mail address, again: dreamteller_1_n_only@yahoo.com
As this month of May draws to an end, the time of summer solstice draws closer. While the two solstices and two equinoxes are considered as lesser holidays, (known to modern Withches as the four Lesser Sabbats or Low Holidays) those are no less important in the scheme of things. There is some discrepancy concerning the actual date of the summer solstice. Purportedly, ancient Pagan Celts celebrated this holiday on June 24th while modern Witches traditionally celebrate it on June 21st. One can sift through a plethora of information, both new and old, and never actually confirm the wrong or the right of either date. The discrepancy goes to technical data compiled in regards to astronomical points of interest, such as when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer and the procession of the equinox. Europeans hold to one belief while Americans hold fast to another.
It matters not as it has been proven, time and again, that the celebrations bear fruit when practicioners celebrate in good faith, either date. As I am not in league with Astronomers, I will not attempt to go into how times have changed and with those, the changes in the courses of the planets, sun, moon, and stars. So, for those of you who question the correct date, remember the importance lies in the belief which one holds true to. Enough said?
I will now address the subject of a species I have not given equal time to, here. That is not because I consider Were-Kinds of lesser importance than other Kinds, but simply because I am more prone to speak about Witches and Vampyres, given my personal acquaintance with them. You notice I said Were 'Kinds'. It was long thought that Weres could only change into wolves, but such has been proven wrong. While I have not had the opportunity to meet them, certain of my honorable colleagues have had contact with Weres who change into large cats, snakes, owls, eagles and such. For the purpose of this posting, I will address Werewolves, as those are the Kind I have some knowledge of, since meeting Michael; a valued colleague who recently joined our Council.
Like other Kinds not wholly human, the Werewolf has been maligned to the point of being ridiculous. Outrageous are the depicitons of them as horrible looking creatures bent on destroying humans, and others of their Kind. Books and movies abound with those depictions but those couldn't be farther from the truth. In his human form, Michael is quite the attractive male. He is no less attractive in wolf form; an animal I have always considered a creature of beauty. While he is much larger than his wolf kin, his appearance is otherwise that of the animal we all know (no leathery skin, no walking upright, no huge, misshapen head with a mouth full of dripping fangs). His fur is sleek and black with a wide streak of silver that runs from his scruff to the tip of his tail. The two differences I noted between him and his animal kin are his stature and girth (taller and more muscular) and the color of his eyes (emerald green with golden halos).
Another myth to be shot down is that Weres become such due to a strange virus. Not so, according to Michael. He was born with his dual nature, retained his human form until the age of 13 (the change does not come upon others until the age of 14-16). The first changing, while painful until the changling becomes adept, is also a freeing of the inner-self, when the human and wolf become one with nature. As with any Kind, there are rogues who exploit their power for their own gain, but for the most part, Werewolves are a peaceable Kind. Their motto is 'Live and let live', so long as they are not attacked.
Werewolves move about in our society, like any other. They have homes, hold public jobs, and do many of the same things, as you and I. Adult werewolves are wholly in control of the change and while the moon is significant in that, they do not 'have' to change, as myth tells us. I have only known Michael for a few months, but I find him to be an extraordinarily intelligent, kind, considerate individual. That is not to say he is not capable of posing danger. I have seen him in action and I am deeply thankful he is friend rather than foe. But he only poses danger to those who pose danger toward him, his own, or innocents. That is what makes him such a likely, valuable ally. Michael respects life and the pursuit of freedom, for all Kinds, and he despises any who attempt to take those away from anyone.
All of that said, there is the fact that Werewolves can be made; not born. However, not just anyone can be made Werewolf. If bitten, a person (human) must be possessed of certain of the inherent 'Gifts'. One such human is the Witch. Psychic ability of some sort, whether known to the owner or not, is the link. The Werewolf has an inherent knowledge of such when he/she (that blows the myth that only males are Werewolves) comes into contact with someone with such an ability. They do not go out of their way (unless they are rogue) to turn a human, simply for the fact of their gift. In fact, turning a human has long been frowned upon, as Werewolves prefer to maintain a pure race as much as is possible. But, due to the fact that their numbers are dwindling (they are relentlessly hunted) some find it neccessary to seek a mate outside of their Kind. Other times, it is the only way to keep alive someone who has been seriously wounded and then a choice must be made. It becomes a choice of sealing another's fate, so to speak. Michael assured me the choice is not lightly made, for it goes to the person's right to life, or death, as it were.
There has been occassions of when the ones changed could not or would not accept what they became, at which time it fell to the Werewolf who instigated the change to put that person out of their misery. As you can see, it is a most difficult thing to take upon one's self but it must be done, for there are instances when the changed human went mad, or would have turned rogue.
While all of this might sound outlandish, if one thinks about it, there are credible values to be discovered. Women who go through the change can bear offspring (no they are not born as cubs, but children), the men who are changed can sire offspring, and thus the Kind continues.
Another value lies in the study of their genetics. Werewolves have the gift of longevity and their saliva and antibodies are key to changing humans. At present, those are being studied in the hope of finding a way for Vampyres to produce children of their own. As the Vampyres' saliva contains healing properties, and their blood is key to changing humans, their genetics are not yet understood to the point of producing offspring. And so it is that, in the interest of both Kinds, the Ancient, Garth, and Michael have joined forces to further that possibility. Frightening? Why, when the rest of us enjoy that gift for producing our own young? Too, mayhap in time discoveries will be made that can help cure human illnesses with the blood and saliva of other Kinds. Given that those Kinds can save humans from certain death, and extend their lives beyond human years, is that not partially so, now? Ponder, and in the meantime mayhap some will become more caring of other Kinds. Blessed May You Be, Dream Teller.
It has been brought to my attention by others that some of you feel that your e-mails are not reaching their destination. I will post my e-mail address, again: dreamteller_1_n_only@yahoo.com
As this month of May draws to an end, the time of summer solstice draws closer. While the two solstices and two equinoxes are considered as lesser holidays, (known to modern Withches as the four Lesser Sabbats or Low Holidays) those are no less important in the scheme of things. There is some discrepancy concerning the actual date of the summer solstice. Purportedly, ancient Pagan Celts celebrated this holiday on June 24th while modern Witches traditionally celebrate it on June 21st. One can sift through a plethora of information, both new and old, and never actually confirm the wrong or the right of either date. The discrepancy goes to technical data compiled in regards to astronomical points of interest, such as when the sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer and the procession of the equinox. Europeans hold to one belief while Americans hold fast to another.
It matters not as it has been proven, time and again, that the celebrations bear fruit when practicioners celebrate in good faith, either date. As I am not in league with Astronomers, I will not attempt to go into how times have changed and with those, the changes in the courses of the planets, sun, moon, and stars. So, for those of you who question the correct date, remember the importance lies in the belief which one holds true to. Enough said?
I will now address the subject of a species I have not given equal time to, here. That is not because I consider Were-Kinds of lesser importance than other Kinds, but simply because I am more prone to speak about Witches and Vampyres, given my personal acquaintance with them. You notice I said Were 'Kinds'. It was long thought that Weres could only change into wolves, but such has been proven wrong. While I have not had the opportunity to meet them, certain of my honorable colleagues have had contact with Weres who change into large cats, snakes, owls, eagles and such. For the purpose of this posting, I will address Werewolves, as those are the Kind I have some knowledge of, since meeting Michael; a valued colleague who recently joined our Council.
Like other Kinds not wholly human, the Werewolf has been maligned to the point of being ridiculous. Outrageous are the depicitons of them as horrible looking creatures bent on destroying humans, and others of their Kind. Books and movies abound with those depictions but those couldn't be farther from the truth. In his human form, Michael is quite the attractive male. He is no less attractive in wolf form; an animal I have always considered a creature of beauty. While he is much larger than his wolf kin, his appearance is otherwise that of the animal we all know (no leathery skin, no walking upright, no huge, misshapen head with a mouth full of dripping fangs). His fur is sleek and black with a wide streak of silver that runs from his scruff to the tip of his tail. The two differences I noted between him and his animal kin are his stature and girth (taller and more muscular) and the color of his eyes (emerald green with golden halos).
Another myth to be shot down is that Weres become such due to a strange virus. Not so, according to Michael. He was born with his dual nature, retained his human form until the age of 13 (the change does not come upon others until the age of 14-16). The first changing, while painful until the changling becomes adept, is also a freeing of the inner-self, when the human and wolf become one with nature. As with any Kind, there are rogues who exploit their power for their own gain, but for the most part, Werewolves are a peaceable Kind. Their motto is 'Live and let live', so long as they are not attacked.
Werewolves move about in our society, like any other. They have homes, hold public jobs, and do many of the same things, as you and I. Adult werewolves are wholly in control of the change and while the moon is significant in that, they do not 'have' to change, as myth tells us. I have only known Michael for a few months, but I find him to be an extraordinarily intelligent, kind, considerate individual. That is not to say he is not capable of posing danger. I have seen him in action and I am deeply thankful he is friend rather than foe. But he only poses danger to those who pose danger toward him, his own, or innocents. That is what makes him such a likely, valuable ally. Michael respects life and the pursuit of freedom, for all Kinds, and he despises any who attempt to take those away from anyone.
All of that said, there is the fact that Werewolves can be made; not born. However, not just anyone can be made Werewolf. If bitten, a person (human) must be possessed of certain of the inherent 'Gifts'. One such human is the Witch. Psychic ability of some sort, whether known to the owner or not, is the link. The Werewolf has an inherent knowledge of such when he/she (that blows the myth that only males are Werewolves) comes into contact with someone with such an ability. They do not go out of their way (unless they are rogue) to turn a human, simply for the fact of their gift. In fact, turning a human has long been frowned upon, as Werewolves prefer to maintain a pure race as much as is possible. But, due to the fact that their numbers are dwindling (they are relentlessly hunted) some find it neccessary to seek a mate outside of their Kind. Other times, it is the only way to keep alive someone who has been seriously wounded and then a choice must be made. It becomes a choice of sealing another's fate, so to speak. Michael assured me the choice is not lightly made, for it goes to the person's right to life, or death, as it were.
There has been occassions of when the ones changed could not or would not accept what they became, at which time it fell to the Werewolf who instigated the change to put that person out of their misery. As you can see, it is a most difficult thing to take upon one's self but it must be done, for there are instances when the changed human went mad, or would have turned rogue.
While all of this might sound outlandish, if one thinks about it, there are credible values to be discovered. Women who go through the change can bear offspring (no they are not born as cubs, but children), the men who are changed can sire offspring, and thus the Kind continues.
Another value lies in the study of their genetics. Werewolves have the gift of longevity and their saliva and antibodies are key to changing humans. At present, those are being studied in the hope of finding a way for Vampyres to produce children of their own. As the Vampyres' saliva contains healing properties, and their blood is key to changing humans, their genetics are not yet understood to the point of producing offspring. And so it is that, in the interest of both Kinds, the Ancient, Garth, and Michael have joined forces to further that possibility. Frightening? Why, when the rest of us enjoy that gift for producing our own young? Too, mayhap in time discoveries will be made that can help cure human illnesses with the blood and saliva of other Kinds. Given that those Kinds can save humans from certain death, and extend their lives beyond human years, is that not partially so, now? Ponder, and in the meantime mayhap some will become more caring of other Kinds. Blessed May You Be, Dream Teller.
posted by Dreamteller at
6:56 AM
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