Gizotso

Basque Mythology brings us the legend of the Gizotso, the Iberian Wolf Man.

Like other werewolf legends, it’s bipedal, looks more like a wolf than a man, and is supernaturally strong. Where it differs is that, traditionally, it lurks in deep forests, sometimes visiting crossroads, but it is only seen at night, burdened by heavy chains.

Some say they appear when a nefarious deal is struck between rational and irrational beings - whatever that means. Others claim it’s the product of an unholy union between a human and a wolf. Some believe it’s a curse - the price paid for searching for holy springs on any night other than the Eve of St John’s fiesta. Or they’re created by witches, sent to punish their enemies.

While there isn’t much talk of Gizotsos taking human form, it is said that they can shed their skin in the morning; if you find one and put it on, you will become a Gizotso yourself.

They are greatly feared in Spain because they are thought to be very fierce, attacking anyone who encounters them.

In the region of Arratia, Biscay of Spain, they tell of an encounter one poor soul had when she was chased by a Gizotso. The story has it that neighbours yelled for her to run home, but before she could, the gizotso caught her and ripped off her breasts. In some versions of the story, she made it home - but the Gizotos followed her inside.

What happened next? The legends don’t say.

Classic werewolf mythology.

But my favourite part of the Gizotso legend? If you hit the Gizotso directly, it would heal. But not if you hit the shadow - as long as you hit it with an odd number of blows. And if you struck it directly, just once, and made it bleed? It might beg you for another, because it has no strength in odd numbers.

And if you don’t give it that second blow, you just might cure it of the curse.