Therianthropic Reference List: S
May 2005 update
SALISBURY, Joyce E.
The Beast Within - Animals in the Middle Ages (1994)
0-415-90768-3(HB); Routledge(UK); 1994; CvrPrice?
0-415-90769-1(PB); Routledge(UK); 1994; CvrPrice?
- AN / HI / RE
It's basically an analysis of the human perception of animal forms since about
the 10th century, from religious, sexual, social and economic standpoints.
The bit at the end 'humans as animals' and 'what is a human', are IMHO really
rather good; certainly changed my way of looking at myself in the traditional
sense as a human, to the way I feel now, which is much more animal-centred.
(1 Feb 1995)
-1
SANCHEZ, Rafael Jijena
El Perro Negro en el Folklore (©Yr?) [Spanish]
(ISBN?)(?B); Ediciones Dolmen; 1952; CvrPrice?
- UN
No info. (10 Sep 1994)
-1
SANDERS, Barry & SHEPARD, Paul
Arkana (Series)
The Sacred Paw (©Yr?)
Subtitled: The Bear in Nature, Myth, and Literature
0-14019454-1(PB); Penguin(US); 1992; CvrPrice?
- BE / BI / SA / SH
This book is, without question, the best book on the subject. It explores,
in great detail, the biology of the bear, the spiritualism that many peoples
associate with the bear, and bears in literature. A fabulous read with the
most complete bibliography on the subject there is. Also has some great stuff
on spiritualism and shamanism in general.
-4
SAUNDERS, Nicholas J.
Living Wisdom (Series)
Animal Spirits (1995)
Subtitled: The Shared World - Sacrifice, Ritual & Myth - Animal Souls
& Symbols
0-333-63846-8(HB); Macmillan(UK); 1995; £9.95
- AN / BI / SA / SH / WW
A strange book; at first it starts with a discussion of 'the shared world'
the way animals have been perceived by humans, discusses soulflight, animals
in heraldry, hunter and hunted, food, animal related beliefs, shamanism etc.
Then the second part has specific sections on animals [bat, jaguar, wolf,
dog, shark, fish, bear etc.]. The third part is a gazetteer of animal beliefs
from around the world. But this book's 2-page definition of Werewolves is
in the section 'Imaginary Beasts'. Huh! So I am a figment of
somebody's imagination, am I?? Anyway, the picture to go with the Werewolf
('Cannibal, or Werewolf' by Cranach the Elder) is worth it, just for all those
severed limbs, heads etc! A useful introduction... and a good list of references
at the back too! (13 May 1996)
-8
SAUNDERS, Nicholas J.
Art & Imagination (Series)
The Cult Of The Cat (1991)
0-500-81036-2(PB); Thames & Hudson(UK); 1991; CvrPrice? (£2.00)
- FE / HI / MY / RE
From start to finish, this oversized book delivers a grand scope of feline
mythos, religions centered on various felines, and the use of cats in culture,
propaganda, adverts, and urban legends through the years.
Saunders' incredible research details ancient Egyptians' cat worship, the
cults of Central and South America surrounding the jaguar, the cults in Africa
based on lions and on leopards, and lesser known Native American beliefs regarding
cougars. From there he explores the symbolism of cats in art, and the use
of cats in advertising.
Saunders' compares humanity to the feline, with startling similarities but
wider differences.
The illustrations and photos, numbering 130, add detail and ambiance to the
writing. Without the illustrations, the book would lack the magic it contains.
Among the photos is a Brazilian Bororo shaman wearing a 'jaguar impersonator's
cape' , made from several large pelts, to cure the sick; several cat mummies
from Egypt; and many statues and artifacts of anthropomorphic felines from
around the world. (6 Mar 2003)
-18
SAVAGE, Candace
Grizzly Bears (©Yr?)
0-51708073-7(HB); Sierra Club(US); 1992; CvrPrice?
- BE / MY / PH
A brilliantly executed photo-essay that covers mythology as well as truth.
-4
SAX, Boria
The Serpent and the Swan (©Yr?)
Subtitled: The Animal Bride in Folklore and Literature
0-93992368-8(PB); McDonald & Woodward(US); 1998; $18.95
- BE / MY / PH
Apparently, a retelling and analysis of various animal bride tales and legends.
No other info. (29 Mar 2003)
-TK
SENN, Harry A.
Were-Wolf and Vampire in Romania (©Yr?)
(ISBN?)(?B); East European Monographs(US); 1982; CvrPrice?
0-91471093-1(HB); Columbia University(US); 1982; CvrPrice?
- UN
Apparently, an investigation of Romanian legends and beliefs concerning vamps
and weres. No other info. (27 Mar 2003)
-TK
SIDKY, H.
Witchcraft, Lycanthropy, Drugs and Disease (©Yr?)
Subtitled: An Anthropological Study of European Witch-Hunts
0-82043354-3(PB); Peter Lang(US); 1997; CvrPrice?
- HI / LO?
Apparently, attempts to explain the past beliefs and behaviour of society,
in relation to the title topics, from the standpoint of the social, political,
& religious conditions of the time. No other info. (28 Sep 2003)
-TK
SLATER, Candace
Dance of the Dolphin (1994)
Subtitled: Transformation and Disenchantment in the Amazonian Imagination
0-226-76183-5(HB); University of Chicago(US); 1994; CvrPrice?
0-226-76184-3(PB); University of Chicago(US); 1994; CvrPrice?
- DO / PY / PS
This book is a collection of recently-gathered and supposedly recently happening
stories of weredolphins along the Amazon river. Apparently, some people there
still believe that they have witnessed weredolphin transformations, recently,
not in the 17th century or anything, and a lot of them. Unfortunately the
author goes deep into psychology trying to explain why so many people have
these delusions, and treats the subject as if all these were delusions. It
is the only book I know of that has this many supposedly true recent Were
stories. (8 Jun 1996)
-1
SMITH, Richard Gordon
Ancient Tales & Folklore of Japan (©Yr?)
0-94649578-5(HB); Hotho; 1918?; CvrPrice?
1-85958-079-3(?B); Senate(UK); 1995; CvrPrice?
- KI
Kitsune related. No other info. (6 Dec 1996)
-3
SPENCE, Lewis
An Encyclopedia of Occultism (1920)
(ISBN?)(?B); University Books; 1960; CvrPrice?
0-76612817-2(PB); Kessinger(US); 2003; $29.00
- UN
Apparently, contains 2500 entries and articles on occultism. Presumably, werewolves
get a mention. No other info. (27 Mar 2003)
-TK
SPRENGER, Jakob & KRAMER, Heinrich Institoris
Malleus Maleficarum (1486) [Latin]
0-52181345-X(HB); Cambridge University(UK); PubYr?; CvrPrice?
SUMMERS, Montague (translator)
Malleus Maleficarum: The Classic Study of Witchcraft (1928)
1-85170-539-2(PB); Bracken(UK); 1996; £2.99 (£1.99);
(p 61-65, 122-128)
0-48622802-9(PB); Dover(US); 1971; $13.95
- CH / HI / LO / ST / SG
This book defines any form of human / animal transformation, actual or apparent,
as the work of devils. The justifications for these conclusions are somewhat
complex and at best questionable. If you want useful info on shapeshifters,
look elsewhere.
-TK
STEIGER, Brad
Demon Lovers: Cases of Possession, Vampires and Werewolves
(©Yr?)
0-93829417-2(HB); Inner Light; 1986; CvrPrice?
0-93829418-0(PB); Inner Light; 1986; CvrPrice?
STEIGER, Brad
The Werewolf Book (1999)
1-57859-078-7(PB); Visible Ink(US); 1999; $19.95 (£14.99)
- WW
It's pretty obvious from the cover and intro that this guy is not exactly
sympathetic to the werewolf; '...a metaphor for the vicious side that lurks
within all of us...' to quote him. On a more positive note, there's a lot
of interesting stuff in here, some of it irrelevant (like the serial killer
entries), but all of it fascinating. Were resources section contains books,
films, and web links (many dead). Howls get a brief mention as role-playing
conventions, in an entry that quotes from the AHWw core FAQ. Worth getting,
I think, only for its entertainment value.
-TK
STEIGER, Brad
Totems: The Transformative Power of Your Personal Animal Totem
(©Yr?)
0-06251425-3(PB); HarperSanFrancisco(US); 1997; $17.95
- AN / MY / SA / SG?
Apparently, covers animal and transformation legends from around the world.
No other info. (22 Mar 2003)
-TK
SUMMERS, Montague
The Werewolf (1933)
(No ISBN?)(HB); University Books(US); 1966; CvrPrice? (£18.00)
0-517-18093-6(PB); Random House(US); 1998; $9.99
- CH / HI / MY / ST
A somewhat 'academic' book, the author happily throwing quotes around in Greek,
Latin, French etc. without always translating, to illustrate his points, which
is a little irritating if you aren't familiar with all the languages. Summers
takes himself so seriously that in places, he's quite amusing. The double-think
of the theological logic employed to explain lycanthropy whilst desperately
trying to avoid saying anything heretical has to be admired, though some of
the conclusions do make you wonder what century this guy was living in. Unfortunately,
the interpretation of all evidence in terms of anti-satanic dogma precludes
any chance of accurate conclusions since (if I'm reading this right) by the
definitions laid down in the book, most (if not all) Spiritual Therianthopes
qualify as heretics, or possessed, but not it seems, as Weres.
-TK
