In the Polish rural beliefs and legends connected to the wintertime the Holy Mother is often described as a ’Maiden protecting from wolves’, and also taking care of these animals so that they don’t attack the human settlements.
She’s then typically depicted with the so-called ‘thunder candle’ (gromnica), and often called a ‘Divine Mother with Wolves’ (Matka Boska z wilkami) or ‘Gromniczna [of the Thunder Candle] with Wolves’ (Gromniczna od wilków, Gromniczna z wilkami).
It’s connected to ancient Slavic rites and customs, which were syncretized with the Christian celebrations of the Candlemas Day (celebrated on February 2nd) over the centuries.
Origins of many elements of these celebrations in Poland are a mystery, but they show a possible connection to the Slavic goddess Dziewanna / Devana, who was the goddess of youth, hunt, wild nature, and moon, mentioned in numerous West Slavic resources.
On that day many Polish Rodnovers (Slavic Native Faith Believers) celebrate a feast of Dziewanna Gromniczna (Dziewanna of the Thunder Candle) – lighting the ‘thunder candles’ in her honor in order to enrapture warmth for the second half of winter. Dziewanna, as the goddess of wilderness, is also asked for protection in the cold months (especially from the freezing weather or from attack of wild animals like wolves), and guidance during winter travels.
The Slavic feast of Dziewanna Gromniczna would be analogous for example to the pagan Gaelic feast of Imbolc.
On pictures: contemporary and vintage Polish postcards and paintings. Sources: [1,2,3,4,5]
[PL] Jako ciekawostka: legenda o wilku gromnicznym.
Read more about the Polish Candlemas Day and the ‘thunder candles’ (gromnice) here.