Book Review: The Magic of Wolves
Mythical and folkloric four-leggeds
The Magic of Wolves by Robin Herne is one of a series of Moon Books titles focusing on animals in paganism, polytheism, and witchcraft. While it’s always interesting to find out tidbits about favorite animals in books about paganism in general, I found this to be an especially rewarding read, since it was a deep dive into wolves as magical, mythical, and folkloric figures in a variety of cultures.
The book begins with an overview of wolves as living animals, which provides a helpful framework for understanding their appearance in myth and folklore. Due to their predatory nature, wolves have gotten a lot of bad press over the years. Herne peels away the rumors and misinformation to reveal a fascinating, intelligent canine species that has been intertwined with human life for millennia. Throughout the book, the author stresses the endangered status of modern-day wolves and encourages the reader to support wolf conservation efforts.
Once we’ve become acquainted with real-life wolves, Herne plunges into the many instances of mythical ones. He offers a deep dive into wolves in ancient Roman and Greek mythology, where they’re powerful figures. You may be familiar with the connection between wolves and the tale of Romulus and Remus, but there’s far more to their presence in Roman myth than just that one story.
The book progresses through a patchwork of different (but clearly related) wolf figures in Slavic and Baltic mythology then focuses more intently on not just Fenrir but the other wolves in Norse myth as well. Then Herne explores wolves in the myths of Ireland and Wales — I didn’t realize they were so present in these Celtic cultures, but that chapter was an especially fascinating read. The author also explores the figure of the wolf in the mythology of India, China, and Japan, where sly wolves may help as well as harm, before turning to ancient Egypt, with its wolfish figures of Anubis and Wepwawet.
In addition to what you might call formal mythology, Herne addresses the presence of wolves in folklore. He works his way through familiar fairy tales like The Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood as well as other stories from around Europe. Finally, he devotes a satisfyingly long chapter to werewolves in myth and folklore. Though these shape-shifting creatures may be overblown and exaggerated in modern media, their presence in folklore goes back many centuries, possibly to the beginning of agriculture, and underscores an innate human fear of hunger and of being preyed on.
I found it interesting that, regardless of where wolves are found in myth and folklore, they always point up the balance between life and death.. As powerful predators and creatures that threatened not just human-owned livestock but humans themselves, wolves have always triggered our deepest fears.
Though always fierce and wily, the wolf ranges from helpful friend (at a price) to fearsome foe, almost as if this creature is a mirror or a Rorschach test for those who tell its tales, turning our feelings about wildness and predation back toward us for our examination.
I found this book to be a fascinating exploration not just of wolves but of the human relationship with them. Well worth a read.
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About Laura Perry
I'm the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne's Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. I'm also an author, artist, and creator who works magic with words, paint, ink, music, textiles, and herbs. My spiritual practice includes spirit work and herbalism through the lens of lifelong animism. I write Pagan / polytheist / magical non-fiction and fiction across several different subjects and genres. My Minoan entry in the Moon Books Pantheons series is now available for pre-order and will be released on 26 August 2025. While that process percolates along, I’m working on an illustrated book of modern Minoan myths. I’m also an avid herb and vegetable gardener and living history demonstrator.
It looks like a very interesting book.
Since a couple of years wolves are back here in the Netherlands!
Most people are not so glad that they might encounter a wolf while walking the dog in the wood.
Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the review.