Once ranging from Arizona to Argentina, Jaguar is now only found in the rainforests of Central and South America. The largest Cat of the Americas, He is the only representative of the Panther Sub-Family (Pantherinae) in the New World. This powerfully built, relatively stocky Big Cat likes to roam close to rivers and lakes. A strong swimmer, He likes the water, unlike most other Cats. Jaguar catches Fish, Otters, and Caimans that live in the tropical rivers. In addition, He is the only Big Cat that regularly kills his prey by piercing the skull with his canines.
Worshipped and feared for his ability as a hunter, Jaguar’s lifestyle is still unknown to people. Nocturnally prowling through the moist lowland forests, Jaguar became mystically associated with the underworld, night, and fertility. Since Jaguar is the only Big Cat that cannot roar, He silently “escorts” people out of his rainforest. The Mayas and Aztecs thought that Jaguar could shape shift as well, because of his elusive qualities.
In his jungle, Jaguar walks without fear as the Master of the Night. He teaches those who have the courage to face him, also to live without fear. People, who calmly go with Jaguar as their escort, walk in the darkness with a protector.
Jaguar’s Teachings Also Include:
“It is a dweller of the forests …It is the lord, the ruler of the animals.” – Fr. Bernardino de Sahagun.
Black “Panther” is actually Jaguar with melanistic (black) coloration. Quite frequent in Jaguars, the black color helps Them hide more effectively in the dark jungles. Forest (dark) Jaguars are usually smaller in size than Golden Jaguars.
To the Aztecs, Black “Panther” saw the shadow inside every being. He represented the Great Smoking Mirror. In this role, He foretold the future, kept Time, and was the Gatekeeper to the Unknownable.
Note: True panthers (Panthera pardus) live in the Old World. Jaguar (Panthera onca) is found only in the New World. Jaguar is stockier, and more powerful than Panther (also known as Leopard.) However, they belong to the same Sub-Family.
Conservation Note: Jaguars are severely endangered because of habitat losses and hunters. International treaties now protect jaguar.
For information on Black Panther as Leopard, Go to Leopard!Panther Page.
Jaguar Empowerment: Animals have gifts that they are willing to offer people. One gift of the animals is their energies to empower people on their journey of life. With their energy gift, each animal offers their particular wisdom to the person. For people who need to walk without fear, Jaguar offers his formidable gifts.
I offer Jaguar Empowerment for $40 US (includes before and after consultations, Jaguar meditation, and Jaguar crystal). For more information, go to Animal Teachers: Animal Empowerments.
Purchase books on Jaguars from Amazon.com
Va. Carper