Benandanti

The Benandanti are mythical figures from Italian myth. They are benevolent figures, and their name means “good walker.” They are thought to be humans capable of taking the form of wolves as they sleep. In this wolf form, they descend into Hell and battle evil. They specifically went out on “ember days” meaning solstices or eclipses. Sometimes they took the form of cats, mice, butterflies, or hares. Crops would suffer or flourish depending on whether or not the Benandanti succeeded. If a baby was born with the caul still attached, then it was believed they were Benandanti. These cauls were often dried out and worn as protective amulets.

Citations:

Guiley, Rosemary. The Encyclopedia of Vampires, Werewolves, and Other Monsters. United States, Facts On File, Incorporated, 2004.

Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006.