In the mythological or spiritual universe there is a concept that is teriomorphism or teriantropia.It consists in the supposed ability of some special human beings to change shape and take that of an animal.In Mysterious we talk about the skin-walkers Navajos, the precursors of the JKRowling animagus and on this occasion, following your suggestions, we wanted to approach the figure of Nahual, the sorcerer who could become an animal of Mesoamerican cultures.
The Nahual
The concept of Nahual or Nagual is diverse since it does not match exactly in all Mesoamerican cultures.We will try to collect the traits that are common to most.Nahual is the person who He has the ability, whether physical or spiritual, to take the form of an animal .Usually it is a shaman or sorcerer and uses his power in a beneficial or negative way according to his personality.
Nahualism would be the transforming capacity of the nahual and is a skill that lies in the spiritual essence of these people.Currently the term nahual is also used as a synonym for a sorcerer or magician, but always when it is believed that that person has the ability to become an animal.The transformation usually occurs at night and the animals chosen are preferably dogs, owls, bats and wolves.In the Mesoamerican tradition the Nahual used to become a jaguar, puma or wolf.
In general, communities that believe in Nahualism fear Nahuals.If their character is malefic, they are attributed actions such as causing illness, stealing and even drinking the blood of their victims, if they are beneficial, although feared they are tolerated and respected because they protect natural resources, the culture of the community to which they belong and they defend people.
However, the legends about the Nahuales are usually terrifying .Here you have an example of a story about one of them explains in the state of Tlaxcala in Mexico.Legend has it that a group of hunters walked through a dense and dark forest when night fell without having found their way back to the town.Suddenly, in front of them appeared a huge dog that He looked at them and barked at them with great aggressiveness.The dog moved and fearing that he would throw himself at them, one of the hunters shot him reaching him on one leg.The dog ran away and disappeared in the thicket.They continued on their way and ran into a hut.the door and they found in it a man who looked like a peasant, but I saw Via surrounded by great wealth.They asked him the way back, but not before noticing that he had a wound on his leg.When they returned to town they commented on what they had seen in the cabin and the locals explained that he was not a farmer, but a nahual who became a dog to attack careless travelers and steal their belongings.
The term nahual sometimes also applies to an animal or protective spirit.There are some traditions that affirm that each of us at birth has an assigned animal that will guide and protect him throughout life.He can appear in dreams or manifest as a protector through an animal with which you have affinity.The belief is that sorcerers and shamans can establish er a real and special connection with his nahual and use his skills.
Did you know what a nahual was? Do you know more about them? Share them with us!
Images: Jaguarnagual.jpg, Original file
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