Here we present a new addition to our collection of antiquarian titles: Human Animals – The Ritual, Magic and Lore of Skin Turning by Frank Hamel, 1915. The book is a fascinating exploration of the folk magic and beliefs surrounding the transformation of humans into animal form – the therianthropic art of shapeshifting or skin turning.

For centuries, folklore, occult traditions, and whispered superstitions have held aloft the belief that humans can transform into animals and back again. From ancient rituals and shamanic practices to dark accusations of witchcraft and lycanthropy, the idea of shifting between forms has long fascinated—and terrified—humanity.

Human Animals explores the strange and shadowed boundary between man and beast, delving into global myths, historical records, and esoteric traditions that suggest transformation is more than just legend. Whether through magical ointments, enchanted girdles, ancestral totems, or the unfathomable will of the gods, countless cultures have embraced the possibility of shapeshifting. But transformation is not always a gift—many tales speak of curses, punishments, and creatures forever trapped between two worlds.

From Cherokee hunters invoking the spirits of wolves to medieval trials of supposed werewolves, this book examines the deep-rooted connections between humanity and the animal kingdom. Are we truly separate, or does something wild still stir within us?

A rich and thought-provoking exploration of folklore, magic, and belief, Human Animals presents an alluring and eye-opening addition to the libraries of magical practitioners, folklorists and anthropologists alike.