Nagual
Human shapeshifter linked to a tonal animal spirit.
In Mesoamerican folk religion, a nagual (or nahual) is a human being believed to possess the power to shapeshift into their tonal animal counterpart. This concept is tied to the belief that one can access power and spiritual insight by connecting with the tonal animal within, and is linked to pre-Columbian shamanistic practices and the Mesoamerican calendrical system.
- Field
- Mesoamerican folk religion and shamanism
- Known for
- Shapeshifting into a tonal animal counterpart; associated with spiritual power and divination
- Origin
- Mesoamerica (Nahuatl word nāhualli)
- Associated deity
- Tezcatlipoca (Aztec mythology, protector of nagualism)
- Modern synonym
- Brujo (wizard) in rural Mexico
Lore & Background
The word nagual derives from the Nahuatl word nāhualli, an indigenous religious practitioner identified by the Spanish as a 'magician'. In English, it is often translated as 'transforming witch', though translations without negative connotations include 'transforming trickster', 'shape shifter', 'pure spirit', or 'pure being'. Naguals use their powers for good or evil according to their personality. The general concept of nagualism is Mesoamerican in origin, linked with pre-Columbian shamanistic practices through Pre-classic Olmec and Toltec depictions interpreted as human beings transforming into animals. The system is linked with the Mesoamerican calendrical system, used for divination rituals; birth dates often determine if a person can become a nagual. Mesoamerican belief in tonalism, wherein every person has an animal counterpart to which their life force is linked, is drawn upon by nagualism. However, modern scholars have struggled to grasp the ever-evolving and contentious meanings associated with Nahua terms like nahualli and tonalli. It is recommended to use clearer descriptive language: certain individuals, often in influential social roles, possess spiritual abilities allowing them to transform into animals or natural phenomena like lightning, wind, clouds, or fireballs.
Reader's Guide
The nagual trait is acquired at birth, along with other characteristics associated with a person's birth day. Each day is associated with an animal that has strong and weak aspects. The nagual is considered different from the tonal: the tonal is the day spirit itself, while the nagual is the familiar spirit of the day. It is probable that the tonal represents the daytime aspect and the nagual the nighttime aspect of the tonalli. Practitioners of powerful magic were normally born on days related to animals with a strong or harmful aspect, such as the jaguar or puma. In Aztec mythology, the god Tezcatlipoca was the protector of nagualism because his tonal was the jaguar and he governed the distribution of wealth. In modern rural Mexico, nagual is sometimes synonymous with brujo ('wizard'), one who is able to shapeshift into an animal at night, drink blood, steal property, or cause disease. In some indigenous communities, the nagual is integrated into the religious hierarchy, tolerated, feared, and respected; they may be hired to remove curses. In other communities, accusation of nagualism may result in violent attacks. The Western study of nagualism was initiated by Daniel Garrison Brinton in 1894. Subsequently, many studies have described nagualism in cultures such as the Mixe, Nahua, Zapotec, Mixtec, Zoques, and various Maya groups. Among the Jacaltek, naguals reinforce indigenism by punishing those who collaborate with non-indigenous Ladinos. In 1955, Gustavo Correa suggested nagualism was wholly imported from Europe, comparing it to medieval werewolf beliefs, though shapeshifting folklore is not limited to Europe. Kaplan concludes that in Oaxaca, belief in naguals as evil shape-shifting witches is common in both indigenous and Mestizo populations, while belief in animal spirit companions is exclusively indigenous. For some groups, those who control their nahual are protectors of the people, natural resources, and culture, highly revered but also feared. The nagual was popularized in shamanism books by Carlos Castaneda. The practice of nagualism was often accompanied by use of hallucinogens including peyote, ololiuqui, and psilocybin mushrooms, said to unlock powers of perception and insight.
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