Varcolac/Varacolaci(pl.)

The Varcolac is a form of wolf monster from Romanian myth. Some believe the Varcolac is a Christian reinvention of Fenrir. They sometimes take the form of demons who possess the corpses of unbaptized children. They can be created when someone commits suicide, or they can simply become a Varcolac from a hereditary curse. Some however believe God sends the Varcolaci to consume the moon to lead men to repent. When they rise from the grave they have pale, dry skin. They’re seen as enemies of light who seek to swallow the sun and the moon, causing eclipses when they near success. They are particularly active on St. Georges day, but hunt year-round. They are thought to be capable of shapeshifting into dogs, cats, frogs, spiders, or fleas. They can place themselves in a trance to cause an eclipse and can travel anywhere through a form of astral projection called “midnight spinning.” In astral form they resemble dragons or unnamed monsters with many mouths. If the Varcolacs body is moved during astral projection, its astral form will not be able to return, as it won’t be able to find it. They bite people and drain them of blood without leaving a mark on the victim. During eclipses people may bang fire shovels, toll church bells, play fiddles or lutes, band on tongs, or anything to make noise in an attempt to scare off the Varcolac. Some think the Varcolac can only get a bite on the moon and fail to get the sun because it is guarded by a lion. Planting a thorny bush over someone’s grave can prevent them from returning as a Varcolac. If the reason for possible transformation is suicide, then the body must be placed in running water immediately. If a Varcolac is captured and it is a male they must have their heart cut in two, a nail driven into their head, or a quicklime or a whole bulb of garlic placed in their mouth. Then the body must then be covered in fat from a pig slaughtered on St. Ignatius Day, a burial shroud sprinkled in holy water must be wrapped around the body, then the body must be taken somewhere secluded and abandoned. If a female Varcolac is captured they must have iron forks driven into the eyes and heart, and then they are buried in a particularly deep grave.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Nathan Robert. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Werewolves. United Kingdom, DK Publishing, 2009.

The Vampire: A Casebook. United States, University of Wisconsin Press, 1998.