Quick Overview

A nahual is a spirit being or animistic entity closely associated with a human being. Each person has its own nahual which acts a double, a shadow, or as a protective spirit. A nahual often takes the shape of animals such as dogs, jaguars, or opossums but in essence a nahual is a shape shifter who can transform its shape at will. The day a child is born determines its assigned nahual, but the child is only told when it has reached a responsible age.
During sleep, the nahual can go wondering, something that can be seen in the dream. A nahual can also be sent out to perform tasks or used as an adviser. A nahual will sometimes take the shape of an animal or person to intervene in the events of its assigned human when the human is not following their pre-determined destiny. In essence the nahual tricks its assigned human into getting back on course.