What is shapeshifting? That word probably makes you think of magical creatures, superheroes,
or your favorite supernatural TV show, but shapeshifting is an important part of Native
American culture. So who exactly can shapeshift and how does it happen and what does it mean? In
this video we'll answer all of these questions and help you understand why shapeshifting is
important in the indigenous culture. Hi there, my name's Mallory and welcome
back to the Tribal Trade channel. Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell for new videos every
week about smudging, the indigenous culture and native teachings. If you've never heard
of shapeshifting in this context before, this is a great place to start. Here at Tribal Trade Co,
we love to help people learn about the indigenous culture, teachings, and our belief system,
especially when it helps dispel misunderstandings or stereotypes about Native American culture.
So if you're ready to learn the real meaning of shapeshifting and its importance,
stick with us for the rest of this video. Shapeshifting can serve many different purposes,
but is traditionally believed to play a role in healing and protecting indigenous communities.
To give you just a little bit more information about this, we're exploring five facts about
shapeshifting that you might not have heard before and shapeshifting's overall importance
to Native American culture. The first fact about shapeshifting and Native American culture
is that shapeshifting is the transformation of human into animal form. Shapeshifting is a way
that people can become fully in tune with their natural instincts, bonding them with an animal
they most identify with. Traditionally, shapeshifters might transform into wolves,
bears or eagles in order to help heal or protect their communities. Shapeshifting not only provides
benefits for individual communities, but deepens the bond between human, nature, and wild animals,
which is an important component of indigenous teachings, beliefs, and spirituality.
The second fact about shapeshifting is that anyone can shapeshift. Traditionally, hunters
might shapeshift more than others. Elders and healers might also be more likely to shapeshift
in order to protect their tribes. However, anyone who can train themselves to let their ego
go and become shapeless can take on the qualities of their chosen animal. All it takes is practice,
diligence, and self-awareness. What animal would you like to shapeshift into or what animal
really speaks to you? Please let us know in the comments below. Now that you know what
exactly shape-shifting is and a little bit about who can do it, let's discuss in more
detail about how the process works. The third fact about shape-shifting and
Native American culture is that the shapeshifting process often occurs during Native American song,
dance, hunting rituals, and other ceremonies. Dancers might dress themselves at feathers or
animal pelts to activate their instinctual animal spirit while they move. Shapeshifting
isn't just about moving as the animal would, it's about becoming that animal. These dances offer
the opportunity for an out of body experience by asking us to fully free our mind, body and spirit.
It takes a special head space to shapeshift and people might participate in these activities when
there is a special need for shapeshifting such as hunting, a need for protection
or a time of healing for a community. The fourth fact about shapeshifting is that
shapeshifting means being truly connected with our ancestors and all living things. The shapeshifter
is associated with freedom, strength, and being in touch with your instincts. Shapeshifting occurs
through a true appreciation of our ancestors, our spirituality, and our connection to all
living things. By learning and utilizing these lessons, the shapeshifter is blessed with the
gift of shapeshifting into the animal that most aligns with their qualities, cunning, courage,
loyalty, strength, kindness, passion. In this way, shapeshifting is not only a ritual or a
sacred practice, but an important part of learning about yourself and moving towards one's personal
journey. Every shapeshifting experience will bring you richness to your life because it allows you to
see the world from a different perspective. When humans limit themselves to only their own view
of the world, it limits empathy, compassion and respect for other viewpoints, which are crucial
components of our society and our world. And finally, the fifth fact about shapeshifting
and then Native American culture is that shapeshifting is similar to, but not the
same thing as your spirit animal. While a spirit animal is an animal that presents itself to us in
order to help us on our journey, shapeshifting is the process of actually having an experience which
transforms us mentally from human to animal. No person is limited to just
one spirit animal. You can have many spirit animals who appear to help you on your journey
at each stage of your life. Each shapeshifter is different, but will likely have one animal that
they are easily able to shift into, allowing them to leave their human constraints behind.
Shapeshifting and spirit animals have very similar meanings and lessons to teach us about ourselves,
such as our core values, who we are as a person, our mental state and wellbeing, and our connection
to the creator and all living things, as well as our own sense of self-awareness.
While these teachings definitely go together hand-in-hand, they have drastically different
experiences to offer us and each holds a unique place in the Native American culture.
For more information about spirit animals and other indigenous teachings,
we're including links to some of those videos and blog posts below in the description. These should
help you learn everything you need to know about a wide variety of important indigenous teachings
and practices. I hope this video has helped you break down some of your preconceptions
about shapeshifting, what it means, and how it happens. Be sure to share with your friends and
family who might also enjoy learning about a new perspective on something we often see portrayed
in pop culture. Be sure to find us on Facebook for an inclusive community focused on indigenous
teachings and be sure to subscribe and hit the bell for more videos just like this one. What
excites you the most about shapeshifting? Feel free to share with us in the comments below. Thank
you so much for watching guys. I hope you have an amazing day and we'll see you next time.