Werewolves and other were creatures are projections of astral spirits. The mind of a human being projects out astrally wearing the form of an animal, such as a wolf, usually while asleep and dreaming. Sometimes these astral projections are so powerful, they become perceptible to others who are awake, and at times their touch can even be felt on the skin. When a human being becomes obsessed with taking on animal form, it is possible for him to project the astral animal form around himself, and to appear to be an animal, or to have a semi-animal aspect, when he is physically present. This impression of animal characteristics is transitory and more easily perceived by others in partial darkness. The obsessed individual will also take on animal characteristics of behavior, such as growling, howling, scratching, biting, and going on all fours. The berserkers of the Viking Period were this type of were creature.