How to Protect Yourself from Skinwalkers. Yes, They May Be Real

^{Changing Skinwalker.}

The indigenous peoples of North America have rich and complex cultures stemming back thousands of years that vary widely from tribe to tribe. One of the most fascinating American myths and legends from the native Navajo people of the Southwestern United States is that of the “skinwalker.” 

Navajo legend has it that skinwalkers are shapeshifting evil witches that disguise themselves as deformed animals like coyotes, wolves, and bears to terrorize people. While it is difficult to believe that humanoid figures can transform into four-legged animals and terrorize people, there are those in the American Southwest that tell of skinwalker sightings that were as terrifying as they were unbelievable.

If you live in the southwestern United States and hear a pack of coyotes howling at night, you might instantly wonder if they're skinwalkers. You might also be thinking: "What can I do to protect myself and my family if those really are skinwalkers disguised as coyotes?"

Well, if you're brave enough to face off with skinwalkers, websites like Mystic Beasts provide tips to confront and live to tell the tale of your encounter with dreadful supernatural beings like Skinwalkers.

^{A skinwalker illustration.}

So, what can you do to protect yourself from skinwalkers? 

Here are some tips that can come in handy to protect yourself from an encounter with skinwalkers:

1. Keep a watchful eye on your livestock

A common belief among local Native American tribes is that all manner of nasty critters of the deep will target livestock to feed and use for all sorts of evil purposes. 

So, be on the lookout for skinwalkers hovering around your livestock.

2. Watch out for footprints or tracks too

Skinwalkers are evil and dangerous, and their tracks can be identified by their unique footprints that look like an animal's but also have a human print as well. 

For example, if you're in the woods and see a footprint in the shape of a bear's paw with a man's fingerprint on it, that would be suspicious.

The creature is said to have the power of invisibility and can disappear in front of your eyes. If you see a bipedal animal (like a raccoon or possum) running on two legs and then suddenly disappearing, that's a good sign that it was a skinwalker.

3. Don't stare into the eyes of a skinwalker

If you ever encounter skinwalkers, try not to stare them in the eye. It will only make them uncomfortable and infuriated.

Looking directly in the eyes of aggressive animals is interpreted as a behavior in challenging or establishing dominance. Avoid its gaze at all costs, unless you want to challenge them to a fight.

Besides, when you stare into the eyes of a skinwalker, they can hypnotize you and make you do strange things that are out of your control. They can also make people think they see things that aren't there. 

4. Don't run away

In an encounter with skinwalkers, back away slowly, avoiding its gaze, but don't run.

Running away will only make it more likely that the skinwalkers will attack you, which can lead to being turned into one of them. And don't turn your back on them either, or they will follow you to your home.

Instead, stay calm and back away slowly. The most important thing is to not show fear, scream, or shout unless they actually attack you—this will give off an air of confidence and power that could scare them off.

Conclusion

Ultimately, encounters with skinwalkers are said to be freighting. But you can use those tips to avoid being attacked. Remember to watch your livestock and not wander alone at night. 

Don't stare into any skinwalker’s eyes or run away from one if you encounter it. Most importantly do not turn your back on a skinwalker because it will follow you wherever you go and make you its prey.