Daniel Stange de Acatl
Posted June 18, 2026
When the Toltec were the prominent society of Anahuac (North America) it was said to have been a great peace, and incredible advances in technology. Archeologists refer to the Classic Mayan age; understand that the Mayan and Nahuatl speakers had distinct cultural characteristics. Even the Purepecha that were called Tarascans by the Mexika were in the Michoacan area and they were never ruled by Tenochtitlan. There is also of course, the northern Chichimeca tribes that received influence and themselves had many Toltec living among them.
The spread of Toltec influence was preceded by the those who developed the Sun Stone (Aztec Calendar) and the Tonalpohualli (Human calendar) of 260 days that kept citizens aligned to their natural cycles. So, there were many scientific advances and developing philosophies. Nikan Axcan – means Here and Now. It was the idea of the Toltec that linear time, from past to present to future, was an illusion due to the human condition that requires sleep and resets the mind every day. There was an understanding that we do not move through time, but time moves through us. All things in motion are living elements of Tonal. And with the earth’s motion the only things that might be immobile are things we cannot perceive called Nagual.
These two influences of Tonal and Nagual must be in some interaction, because just as you have thoughts and sensations that others cannot see, you experience them and very much require an understanding of them to develop and experience your own life. It must be the same with other forms that the earth has birthed? And we have indeed studied the behaviors and reactions of animals and plants enough to know that they have some level of undetectable energy. Even if it is just the force that helps them grow. Some people might consider Time to be a label for this, but the phenomenon is not linear.
Just as greenhouses can cultivate plants beyond their regular planting seasons, this phenomenon I am considering is activated in many situations on a personal level and on a familial level or a larger social level even all the way to the global consciousness I suppose. So, perhaps we lack scientific language, and we use the word spirituality. But even spirit is vague and open to interpretation ranging from emotional experiences to divine interventions. Many of today’s scientists measure effects of these Nagual movements and label them gravity and nuclear power and electro-magnetism. The relationship to them is still questionable.
Nagualismo is a practice of coming into alignment with those unpredictable changes. And perhaps change is inevitable. However, it is the security of consistency that keeps people civil. If we can change the civilization of American Society or perhaps just recognize the distinctions of our American culture; we have a better viewpoint, Truth in the culture of America is still changing. It is reconciling the roots of its indigeneity, because the Indians don’t belong to the settlers. But we ALL belong to this land.
Toltecs were the lovers of wisdom in the pre-Cuauhtémoc regions of Abla Yala. Anahuac is that central region where the waters of each ocean are closest. They ruled the social networks not as Kings, but as servants of the people. More of them were women and many were Two Spirit. Tula is one of the mythic cities that still has its physical markers and places the butterfly over the chests of the Toltec pillars. Showing the change from within.
Papalotl is Mariposa to México. Butterflies arrive yearly to remind people that life is constantly changing. We need to feel secure among the currents of that act of God’s will. Stop judging yourself from past lessons or future ambitions. Today is the only time that exists. Live like there IS a tomorrow, but every time you are presented with a big life choice; lead with integrity because it could very well be your last decision. A true Heart and True Face – In Yolotl In Ixiptla.
Danny Stange de Acatl is a Denver Native and Cultural activist that serves his community on various levels.
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