The Cult of the Beast and Slavic Werewolves. From the Lyutychi and Berendeis to the Wolf-Men and Cursed Magpies

In Slavic culture, werewolves were viewed quite differently than in medieval Europe. Our ancestors believed that the ability to transform into beasts was not only possessed by the unclean and sorcerers but also by entirely positive characters: epic heroes, sorcerers, and even ordinary people. This gift itself was neither good nor evil — it all depended on the character of the werewolf. Perhaps that is why there are so few chilling stories in Slavic tradition about bloody vampire-werewolves. Instead, folk tales often demonstrate the surprisingly kind and sympathetic attitude of Slavs toward "involuntary beasts"... Where did such a difference come from? In her new book, Marina Golubeva discusses the beliefs and cults related to beasts and werewolves — from wolf-warriors to witch-magpies and evil two-soulers. She uncovers the secrets of Slavic werewolves, reflects on totemism and lycanthropy in the ancient world and antiquity, and ancient beliefs. Moreover, she shows that even today, beast-people are closer than they seem.