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Supernatural Being of the Week #4: Wendigo (also spelled Windigo or Witiko)

Origin: Canadian wilderness, though may occasionally be seen in the northernmost parts of the United States

Appearance: Descriptions of the creature wildly vary, from the very imaginative half-animal creatures like the image above to the form of a very slender, emaciated human with skin the color of snow. However, all accounts agree that the Wendigo is a giant, leaving strange footprints similar to the mark of a hoof, but not matching the mark of any known creature.

Lore: The Wendigo is said to cause blizzards and has a heart of ice that causes any creature in its vicinity to feel a gripping chill. It is a man-eating species that may have once been human—the Algonkian word 
“Wendigo” means both “cannibal” and “evil spirit.” It’s presence is said to leave behind a smell of rotting meat mixed with the smell of trees. It’s scream is said to paralyze so that it may be quicker to disembowel its pray with its claws. In times of hardship when human prey is scarce, the Wendigo will eat its own kind.

It is possible for a human to become a Wendigo, both voluntarily and involuntarily. When a Wendigo wishes to create more of its own kind, it will call out the names of travelers in a “seductively sweet” voice that carries the sound of the wind. This will drive the human called for into a mad state of wanderlust, often prompting him to leave food, family, and even clothing behind as he sprints into the woods. Friends sent searching for the victim may find human tracks slowly becoming more and more like those of the Wendigo as the victim’s feet are worn away to stumps by the speed of his running. To voluntarily become a Wendigo, one may either willingly consume human flesh, or wander in the forest for several days and offer one’s own flesh to the creature. A Wendigo may then adopt such a person as one of its own.

Dispelling Methods: The name of the Wendigo should never be spoken aloud in the wilderness, especially during the winter months. If the voice of the Wendigo is heard calling for a companion, the unfortunate victim must be at once restrained to prevent his flight, and his ears stopped so that the voice may not be heard. Be aware, however, that this may anger the Wendigo and encourage it to attack. If a companion flees after the Wendigo, do not follow under any circumstances. It is more than likely that the victim is lost, and other members of the party should not put themselves in similar danger searching for him. Some sources say that a silver bullet can kill a Wendigo, but the only guaranteed method of destruction is to cut the creature into pieces and burn it, so that it may not infect others.

Other Information: Humans possessed by the magic of the Wendigo become taller, thinner, and paler, but otherwise remain human in appearance, though it is said that they gain the Wendigo’s heart of ice. In snowy months the Wendigo may disguise its long legs as tree trunks to stalk unsuspecting travelers, so don’t forget to look up! Victims hearing the call of the Wendigo often begin to shout a particular phrase: “Oh, these burning heights! Oh, my burning feet of fire!” This is usually the last thing heard from the victim before he flees into the wilderness.

Photo Source

Information on the Wendigo has been gathered from A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels, and Other Subversive Spirits by Carol C. and Dinah Mack, Owl Book Publishers, 2009 edition; and from The Wendigo by Algernon Blackwood, first published 1910, Kindle Edition. All information from the Field Guide is the property of the original owners, though Mr. Blackwood’s story is now part of the Public Domain.