The Arctic Home in the Vedas

Chamunda (another problem for prisca theologia)

The golden jackal is an animal mostly associated with India and the Middle East. It also lives in the Balkans. However, the jackal has slowly but steadfastly spread its range northwards. It sounds crazy, but it seems they have established themselves in Estonia, Finland and northern Norway! It´s only a matter of time before they reach Sweden. That is, *northern* Sweden. 

The idea of jackals in Lapland would have sounded insane just a few decades ago, yet here we are. 

But there´s more. Here is Wikipedia the All-Knowing on jackals in - you may have guessed it already - Tantric traditions: 

"In Hinduism, the jackal is portrayed as the familiar of several deities with the most common being Chamunda, the emaciated, devouring goddess of the cremation grounds. Another deity associated with jackals is Kali, who inhabits the cremation ground and is surrounded by millions of jackals. According to the Tantrasara scripture, when offered animal flesh, Kali appears in the form of a jackal. The goddess Shivaduti is depicted with a jackal's head. The goddess Durga was often linked to the jackal. Jackals are considered to be the vahanas (vehicles) of various protective Hindu and Buddhist deities, particularly in Tibet."

The idea of a animal sacred to Tantrikas roaming free and wild in Lapland is, I admit, immensely appealing. And so very Tantric! However, I suspect the local Laps (and their reindeer flocks) might have a different opinion on the matter...