In the Tonalamatl (the Aztec “Book of Days”), there are 20 sets of trecena, or sets of 13-day periods and thirteen “hour” days.

Each of these thirteen time units was governed by a deity.  And, each deity was associated with a Nagual (also spelled Nahual, each pronounced na’wall). 

What’s a Nagual?

We could say Nagual’s are an alter ego, or the representation of an animalistic aspect of Mesoamerican man or deity.   

The Nagual is a facet of consciousness that still runs untethered in the jungles, still beats its wings against moist clouds – the wild part of being that is still wholly primitive, free and unscrupulous.

The Nagual birds are partnered with one deity for each of the thirteen phases in a trecena.  Here’s a list of symbolic associations:

Aztec Symbols The Nagual Birds of the Thirteen Lords of Days
Day	Name of Deity	Rulership	Associated Nagual Bird
1	Xiuhtecuhtli	Lord of Fire	Diamond Blue Hummingbird
2	Tlaltecuhtli	God of the Earth	Emerald Green Hummingbird
3	Chalchiutlicue	Goddess of the Waters	Royal Hawk
4	Tonatiuh	God of the Sun	Beneficent Quail
5	Tlazolteotl	Goddess of Love	Expansive Eagle
6	Teoyaomiqui	God of the Fallen Warrior	Mighty Screech Owl
7	Xochipilli	God of Maize	Brilliant Butterfly
8	Tlaloc	God of Rain	The Golden Eagle
9	Quetzalcoatl	God of of Wind	The Proud Turkey
10	Tezcatlipoca	God of Bounty	The Horned Owl
11	Mictlantecuhtli	God of the Underworld	The Mighty Macaw
12	Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli	God of Sunrise	The Long-Tailed Quetzal
13	Ilamatecuhtli	Goddess of the Skies	The Rainbow Parrot

I offer these symbolic Aztec associations because I found the correspondences helpful in my ever-growing construction of symbolic framework’s. 

What do I mean by that?  Certain symbolic systems (like the Tarot for example) stand up by themselves, on their own symbolic merit.  This Aztec set of deities and their associations can offer cracks of clarity into otherwise hazy events in our lives.

For example: Let’s say the Quail is continually entering my awareness, and I want more clarity or meaning as to its presence.  I can garner more information from this occurance by referring to the Aztec list Nagual bird lords. 

In this example, I see the Quail is associated with the Aztec Sun god, and also the number 4.   From here, I can explore other avenues of  what I call “in-vision” by peering into systems such as elemental symbolism (fire, earth, air, water) or numerology, etc.

Essentially, these Mesoamerican insights provide more symbolic breadcrumbs for me to follow on a Path to deeper symbolic understanding.

I’ve also crafted my own oracle/divination set from thirteen rune-like bits of wood based on this list of Nagual bird lords.   It’s been tremendously helpful (as have been the deities) in unearthing tricky meanings of various ilk.

You can create & utilize your own Nagual Bird oracle too.  Here’s how:

• Collect thirteen (shooter-marble sized) bits of material that appeal to you (wood, stone, chestnuts, etc). 
• Engrave, carve or paint the numbers 1-13 on one side.
• If you wish, you can also add a symbol representing each god-bird on the other side.  
• Put them all in a clean, recycled soup can (or something similar).
• Draw a small’ish chalk circle or lay a thread/string circle down on a flat surface. 
• While contemplating a concept or question, shake your rune can and toss out your Nagual bird bits into the circle (think Yatzee!).
• The bits that land in the circle are your oracle.  Study the Nagual birds/Aztec deities/numerals, etc. that correspond to the rune bits that landed in your circle.

Of course, you’ll find your own special way to honor the Aztec deities, as well as your own unique method of divining meaning from these fabulous archetypal figures. 

Just approach the process with honor and respect.  Have a genuine heart (Aztec energies don’t abide ulterior or non-virtuous motives well).

Let me know what kind of discoveries you have!

Some other links of interest:

Mayan Symbolism

Bird Symbolism

Nature Symbolism

Number Symbolism

Symbolism of Thirteen

I was asked a question about hawk and owl messages.  My friend described a moment in which a hawk cried out to her.  Immediately following its call was the cry of an owl.  After contemplating other question details and ruminating with the hawk and owl, I offered possible messages the owl and hawk may be communicating to her. My response follows:

Hawks speak to us about focus.  They come to us in times when we are in the midst of a project or life situation that requires the bulk of attention.  They wing their way to us when we need a reminder to concentrate.
 
That your hawk was immediately followed by the voice of the owl may indicate a message of transition…specifically, a change in focus.
 
Owls speak to us about the unseen side of life, mystery, wonder, and the “otherworldly” cycles of reality.  Further, they bring us messages about change and transition.
 
That the hawk (focus) energy was followed by owl (transition) energy in your experience brings about the association of a “change in focus” or direction.
 
Further, both of these magnificent creatures are birds of prey.  They are deft at getting what they want in the most efficient and effective manner.  Therefore, they ask us to use the same stream-lined means at obtaining the objects of our vision for ourselves. 
 
That both of these birds vocalized themsevels to you may indicate a need for you to use verbalization more clearly in what you are wanting.  These two bird totems encourage us to enunciate our intentions and they move in alliance with our enunciations.

Stategy, concentration, confidence and patience are the watchwords given from both of these creatures.
 
Indeed, if you feel their calling out was a sign of warning, go with your gut instinct and explore those feelings more.  Call upon hawk and owl for assistance and, thank them for their guidance. 
 
I hope this brief summary has enabled you to take a few more steps into the depth of animal messages that are available to you.  Take the time to contemplate further this experience with hawk and owl, and you will find more clarity – simply ask these regal birds for there presence, and they will make themselves (and their intentions) known to you. 

Other pages of interest:

Owl Symbolic Meanings

Air Totems: Messages from Air Animals

Hawk Symbolic Meanings

Animal Totems (an ongoing list)

Native American Symbolism

Nature Symbols

Many of us are having more and more visions, and I often am asked to shed some light on the symbolism of visions.

Such is the case with one gentleman looking for a reading on the symbolic meanings of his vision.

This is his vision told in his words:

“In my morning meditation, somebody was suddenly right in front of my face. This person seemed to be shouting at me. Slowly, my vision expanded and I realized it was a native warrior, face painted, and a single feather rising from the back of his head. As the vision continued to expand, I could see we were in a forest clearing and it was a circle of warriors chanting and dancing around a fire. I watched them as they made one complete circle of the fire, and suddenly they were gone.

Now I realized that straight ahead of me, through an opening in the trees, something was flying towards me. As it came closer I thought it was a bald eagle. It was quite large, and I could see some white. Now it began descending. Closer and closer, lower and lower, and as I strained my neck to watch it fly directly over me, so close I thought I could almost reach out and touch it, I realized it was a pure white Raven.”

My reponse and impressions on this symbolic vision is as follows:

Dear David,

Thank you for indulging me the span of time it took to get in the groove of your vision.  sometimes impressions come in big, beautiful, fully-formed blocks of information. Other times, some stewing is required. After stewing in your visionary energies for over two weeks, these are the impressions that have come forward….I hope it’s worth the wait :-).

Before I begin, please keep in mind these impressions are coming through my own filter.  Meaning my own life experience will color the interpretations. That’s just the way it is.  I cannot separate my personality from what I am shown…and I tend to think that’s okay.

So that is why I beat the drum of independent study so vehemently. You must invest the time to know yourself, and interpret these visions as they apply to you and your life experience. 

YOU are the visionary, and the energies you deal with communicate special enlightenment for only you. My interpretation will never be the correct answer for you, but it will be an aspect of truth, as we are all connected and each of us presents a slice of the whole pie of knowing.

Enough of my diatribe…now onto the your symbolism of vision:

You prefaced the description of you vision by saying “that I don’t think I really understand it and/or, what I should be getting out of it.”

However, your vision begins with a human face confronting you very directly. Eye-to-eye. Nose-to-nose. Direct challenge, direct confrontation.  This initial face-to-face impression in your vision flies in direct opposition of this statement.  Symbolic stand-off’s such as this indicate you DO know precisely the matter and message of this vision. You may be at a “face off” in which there is something you must face or deal with. There may be a part of you that does not want to face the issue – but you certainly know what it is.

Expanding the vision, we see it is a warrior facing you – complete with war paint.  Our energetic lineage retains rituals of our ancestors. As such, we know the painting of native bodies and faces was/is a ritualistic practice carried out with deep sobriety and somber respect for the intention. Meaning, application of markings and color to the body was done purposefully and with focus. So this intentional ritual of marking the body with intent to battle begs the questions: 

• Who or what are you at war with?
• You have taken steps, made action, gone through modern-day rituals yourself…but to what end?
• What is the motivation of your prime action?
• Where is your focus?

The warrior has one single feather erected from his crown chakra. You can read about my thoughts on the symbolism of feathers (on my symbols website) here, and then more on this subject on my blog here. Briefly, feathers deal with:

• Ascension
• Spirituality
• Clarity of thought

Combined with this feather’s location on the crown chakra the theme of the vision deals with very high ideals:

• matters of enlightenment,
• conscious evolution, and
• energetic advancement.

That there is only one feather calls attention to the symbolism of one:

• One path,
• one direction,
• action,
• beginnings,
• foundations,
• solidarity of thought,
• singleness of purpose,
• activity of focus.

When we combine these concepts with the heady aspects of feathers and the 7th chakra, we begin to ask questions such as:

• Is there one path to freedom?
• Am I aligned with that energetic channel that seeks the highest vibration?

The feather points up  in your vision – does it not? I would encourage you to meditate upon that image – the feather pointing up with its base nestled in your divine crown. It’s a powerful symbol, capable of launching you into intense epiphany.

Moving further into your vision we see a forest clearing. Trees hold symbolism  that goes way beyond  my capacity for words.  The outermost philosophical branches of trees express symbolism of:

• Life,
• strength,
• resource,
• evolution,
• knowledge,
• provision

Trees encompass such massive and diverse energy that pinning single meanings takes some deep (and personal) contemplation.

However, that there is fire within your visionary forest, this indicates you are using resources at hand. By burning of the wood, you are igniting creative fire in a controlled methodical, ritualistic fashion.

Indeed our cosmic energy reveals our ancestors burning wood in order to obtain the secrets pressed within the flesh of sacred trees. Our energetic ancestors recognized trees as esoteric tablets of wisdom – capable of expressing and transferring that wisdom to us when we activated the indwelling passion (igniting the fire).

Furthermore, fire is symbolic of:

• passion
• spirituality
• creativity
• desire
• action
• possession
• energy
• intensity

Within these analogies we may ask questions such as:

• What surrounds you that sparks your passion?
• Is there an equal balance between your cool forests and the burning fire you create?
• Are you “burning out” your resources?
• In your practices, are you extracting the knowledge and experience you seek?

We cannot ask “what is consuming you” because we see order within your imagery of fire. But we may be bold, and ask if you feel conflict or war is required in order to have peace?

This is asked when we see your warriors circling around your flame. Circles are symbolic of:

• connectivity
• infinity
• evolution
• cycles
• repetition
• union
• eternity

Can you see the theme of balance within your vision?  Throughout your vision we see contrast:

• Peace vs. aggression (feathers vs. war paint).
• Spirituality vs. physicality (Sahasrara chakra vs. human form),
• Passive vs. active (trees vs. bonfire).

The Raven in your vision is replete with transformational symbolism, as it is typically black yet your vision indicates the Raven as white in color.  This offers further validation to the balance-seeking theme of the vision.

In other words, we see catharsis, release, and transformation as your deeper self propels the traditional imagery of the Raven, which is black, into a pristine white symbol.

Air animals are archetypes of living our lives in higher realms. Birds are symbols of:

• higher thought,
• higher intelligence and
• higher ideals

This is because birds are (metaphorically and mythologically speaking), situated in proximity to the higher energies of the Universe.

Ravens are no exception to this underlying symbolism of air totems. However, Ravens are special among their airy clan as they are the symbolic containers of:

• mystery,
• magic,
• secrets, and
• even deception.

As I mentioned in an earlier email to you, Ravens do not give up their secrets easily.  They love to watch us marvel over their messages.  Ravens demand our commitment to learning their wisdom, and do not reveal their meanings unless they are convinced we’ve devoted ourselves completely to the path of understanding (both dark and light sides of) energy.

However, your vision demonstrates the most fundamental concept of alchemy which is: Transition and Transformation.

What is dark (traditional black Raven) becomes light as we see in your white Raven. We may interpret this into an alchemical formula: “With balanced mixing of appropriate energies, dark unknowns (black Raven) become known (white Raven).”

In other words, through the consistent unveiling of your inner depths, and the positive/active utilization of these inner impulses the esoteric secrets become exposed to the light of your own consciousness.

Are these interpretations deep? By gosh yes, they are deep. It’s a deep vision you’ve had.

It is no simple mind that summons the Raven. That is why I disagree with your earlier statement that you don’t think you understand the vision. This is poppycock (and I mean that lovingly).

The Raven will never come to a person who is not advanced enough to read the deeper meanings behind its presence. Ravens are cunning, selective creatures – if you did not already know the answers, you would have never had the vision.

David, I’ve laid a lot on your proverbial table here. It’s time for you to further prepare your table and feast on the wealth of knowledge that is before & within you. Seat yourself in the center of your own internal abundance. Know that your life experience is a grand banquet, and celebrate your own absolute knowing that is infused in every fiber of your being.

Symbolism of Ravens found here.