Post by Mr. P on Nov 14, 2010 11:22:09 GMT -5
“Nahualli is the Aztec word for ‘shadow soul’, the animal double of the human soul. The Aztec people, known as the Mexica, had a very balanced relationship with the animal world. They viewed animals as sacred beings that shared the Earth with the gods long before humans were created.”-Unknown source
[li]In Aztec culture, every person was thought to have a "shadow self", an animal spirit linked directly to a person's soul. It was thought to guide and protect the person throughout their lives. The better someone understood and controlled their Nahualli, the more they came to resemble their spirit animal. When one comes to truly understand one's Nahualli, they were rumored to be able to shape-shift into that form, along with attaining magical powers relating to their animal.
How does someone come to master the spirit of their Nahualli?
[/li][li]The answers vary, though the most common is meditation, extreme balance with not only one's self, but with the earth. It often takes years to master their Nahualli, and many never learn how; in modern times, most do not even have one, due to generations of disharmony with the earth.
Is this the same thing as shape-shifting?
[/li][li]No. The Nahualli, or spirit animal, is not just a power or ability; it's part of the soul. It grants not only the power to shift forms, but others too, mainly the normal physical attributes, personality, strengths/talents, weaknesses/flaws. It can also grant other powers, mostly relating to your animal.
What are these other powers?
[/li][li]It depends on the animal. Someone whose Nahualli was a cheetah would likely be able to run quite fast, while the Nahualli of the bull would probably have great strength. Other supernatural powers were thought to include healing, mind reading, and other powers, though those depended on a person's knowledge and control.
Does someone have to be Aztec/worship Aztec god's to discover their Nahualli?
[/li][li]No. The Nahualli can be called a 'spirit animal', a 'guardian', or anything else you can think of. However, the belief was thought to have originated in Aztec culture, so that's why I reference it most often. However, one must have a very deep connection with themselves and the earth to master their shadow selves.
What animal can the Nahualli be?
[/li][li] Anything, really, provided it's an animal. More common 'shadow selves' are thought to be eagles, burros, and jaguars, though phoenixes (me!), unicorns, and other mythological creatures can also be part of the soul.
[/li][/ul]
[li]In Aztec culture, every person was thought to have a "shadow self", an animal spirit linked directly to a person's soul. It was thought to guide and protect the person throughout their lives. The better someone understood and controlled their Nahualli, the more they came to resemble their spirit animal. When one comes to truly understand one's Nahualli, they were rumored to be able to shape-shift into that form, along with attaining magical powers relating to their animal.
How does someone come to master the spirit of their Nahualli?
[/li][li]The answers vary, though the most common is meditation, extreme balance with not only one's self, but with the earth. It often takes years to master their Nahualli, and many never learn how; in modern times, most do not even have one, due to generations of disharmony with the earth.
Is this the same thing as shape-shifting?
[/li][li]No. The Nahualli, or spirit animal, is not just a power or ability; it's part of the soul. It grants not only the power to shift forms, but others too, mainly the normal physical attributes, personality, strengths/talents, weaknesses/flaws. It can also grant other powers, mostly relating to your animal.
What are these other powers?
[/li][li]It depends on the animal. Someone whose Nahualli was a cheetah would likely be able to run quite fast, while the Nahualli of the bull would probably have great strength. Other supernatural powers were thought to include healing, mind reading, and other powers, though those depended on a person's knowledge and control.
Does someone have to be Aztec/worship Aztec god's to discover their Nahualli?
[/li][li]No. The Nahualli can be called a 'spirit animal', a 'guardian', or anything else you can think of. However, the belief was thought to have originated in Aztec culture, so that's why I reference it most often. However, one must have a very deep connection with themselves and the earth to master their shadow selves.
What animal can the Nahualli be?
[/li][li] Anything, really, provided it's an animal. More common 'shadow selves' are thought to be eagles, burros, and jaguars, though phoenixes (me!), unicorns, and other mythological creatures can also be part of the soul.
[/li][/ul]