The Story of How an Ancient Maya Shape-Shifter Helps Guide Destiny According to the ancient Maya, upon this world a mere mortal is placed to live out their destiny and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although, sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track. This is the Maya story of how at birth, Jade-Bird was destined by the gods to be a great warrior. But when he shows no interest or proficiency in the art of war, a Maya shape-shifter intervenes to help him fulfill his destiny. The ancient Maya are well known for their knowledge of advanced astronomy and mathematics. Their calendars are able to predict stellar events millennia into the past and millennia into the future. How a Stone Age group was able to acquire this type of knowledge and put it to use is still unknown. Through exhaustive and collective work, the few surviving codices (bark books) are starting to reveal some of their secrets. One interesting aspect of the Maya is their view of the universe and time. They believe both time and the universe have a cyclical nature. Events happen in recurring cycles and everyone and everything has a preordained part to play. Upon this world a mere mortal is placed to live out their destiny and to help sustain the gods that created the universe. Although sometimes it seems a little help was needed to make sure everyone stayed on track. Upon birth, every child was assigned a Nahual by the gods. A nahual is a spirit being tasked with assisting its human to fulfill their destiny and in cases even act on his behalf. The nahual in essence is a shape-shifter, able to take the form of animals most notably jaguars, dogs or even humans while conducting its duties. If a child is destined to be an astronomer, a warrior or a tradesman the path was preordained and the child is required to follow that path to its conclusion. Occasionally human free-will plays an unorganized role in the plan. Perhaps the child shows no interest in astronomy or is weak in battle making their intended destiny difficult. Nevertheless the individual is expected to fulfill their role and will be coaxed or even tricked by their nahual if they stray from their destiny. This destiny fulfillment and the role a nahual can play is told in a story about a male child named "Jade Bird" whose destiny included being a warrior. Jade-Bird would be tasked with the responsibility of winning a great battle. However since an early age the child showed no interest in warrior roles. Instead the child showed great interest and skill in the art of picture writing. Various efforts were made by his family to train the boy in the art of warfare. Sadly, no apparent warrior skills were present, although not for the lack of trying. Simply stated, the boy did not possess the forceful nature or strength required to be a warrior. As time progressed and the boy grew in years he was able to make a living performing the task of picture writing but could never gain respect as a warrior. His demeanor was simply too timid. One day a nobleman requested a work performed to commemorate his single handed victory over a very fierce enemy warrior he had slain. It was a noteworthy victory for the nobleman. He claimed he had defeated the enemy warrior "Jaguar-Paw" in combat in plain view of everyone in the battlefield. No mercy had been shown by the nobleman as he decapitated his victim. After the decapitation the nobleman gleefully stated that he then skinned the body and would proudly display the skin as his trophy. Everyone would forget the greatness of "Jaguar-Paw" and only remember his humiliating defeat at his hands. The nobleman wanted every detail pictured and written down for all to see. After much work Jade-Bird completed his task. All important details had been captured in images and writing. The cruelty shown by the nobleman was apparent. Not only had he defeated Jaguar-Paw in battle, but now he would display his trophy to erase any greatness Jaguar-Paw might have accomplished. He would now only be remembered as someone's trophy. The nobleman was very pleased with the work and quickly took his victory record. He was off to battle once more; a large group of enemy warriors were challenging the city. What happens next is recounted as the work of a shape-shifting nahual performing his duties. An urgent request by "Jaguar-Paw", the leader of the attacking group was received, directed to the "Revered Warrior Jade-Bird" stating: "Revered brother, I have studied your picture writing dispatch with much detail. My heart sank upon seeing your bold hand tell of what awaits me. I have no fear to die in battle. But to never be remembered for much except your trophy truly demoralizes me. I will take my leave along with my brave warriors never to return. If this place is defended by such warriors, may the gods deal with it." After the withdrawal of the enemy warriors, many congratulatory verses were spoken on behalf of Jade-Bird. His bold move had been the tipping point in the siege. Confused, Jade-Bird made a few inquiries as to the nobleman that had commissioned the work. No such person seemed to exist. All that could be gathered was firsthand accounts of Jade-Bird in full warrior uniform personally dispatching runners with a challenge to Jaguar-Paw including a message in picture writing. Learn more on the ancient Maya view a Maya shape-shifter Sacrificing Humans to Aztec Gods The Aztecs claimed that in 1487 during the re-consecration of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, 80,400 prisoners were sacrificed. If this is an example of one single ceremony, the numbers of human sacrifices performed by the Aztecs must be astounding. Could this account be true? And if so, who was sacrificed? Michael Harner, in his 1977 article "The Enigma of Aztec Sacrifice", estimates the number of victims sacrificed in the 15th century as high as 250,000 per year. So, who was sacrificed? Human sacrifices were performed on specific days. It is believed ceremonies occurred for each of the 18 Aztec months. Purified Aztec pottery vessels were used to burn the sacred copal during these ceremonies. Each god required a different kind of victim: Xilonen the goddess of maize required young women; children were sacrificed to Tlaloc the god of rain; Huitzilopochtli the war god required brave prisoners that were captured in battle and a single volunteer would be accepted for Tezcatlipoca, god "Smoking Mirror". The Aztecs trained all the male population to be warriors. Every Aztec warrior had to provide at least one prisoner for sacrifice. Only the ones who continuously succeeded in providing captives could became full-time members of the warrior elite. Those that were unsuccessful were delegated to a less desirable status. "Flower Wars" offered these failed warriors an opportunity to redeem themselves by providing prisoners for the next festivities. There is still much debate as to what social groups constituted the usual victims of these sacrifices. It is often assumed that all victims were 'unwanted' commoners or foreigners. This is not accurate; victims seem to have been persons from any status level even of Aztec society. Likewise, it is believed that virtually all child sacrifices were offered by noble level parents as the ultimate gift to the demanding gods. So How Many Sacrifices Occurred? This question is very difficult to answer with certainty. Codices that depict the rites were pictorial not written texts. Also, Catholic priests and Spanish conquistadores burned all obtainable texts because they believed the images depicted on the pages were evil. In the most famous account, the re-consecration of the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan, it is believed Aztec priests used only 4 sacrificial altars during the four-day re-consecration. To reach the 80,400 human sacrifices during this time period the priests would have had to average 14 sacrifices per minute. This is a physical impossibility. Furthermore human sacrifice was probably used to terrorize subjugated populations and most likely grossly over exaggerated and used as a propaganda tool. It is said that old Aztecs who talked with the missionaries told about a much lower figure for the re-consecration ceremony, approximately 4,000 victims in total, according to Codex Telleriano-Remensis. Current best estimates from recognized historians and archaeologists range from 250,000 to 20,000 sacrifices per year. Learn more on the ancient Aztecs view Aztec ceremonial items used for sacrifices …. If you havent already done so, register with us to continue receiving this newsletter…..