Skinwalker
Skinwalker
Numerous cultures all over the world believe in some version of a Skinwalker, which is closely related to beliefs about werewolves and other were-creatures. The best documented Skinwalker beliefs are those of the Navajo yenaldooshi. The yenaldooshi are evil human beings who have gained supernatural power by murdering a close relative. The creature travels by night, spreading misery and desecrating holy things. He or she is usually naked, except for a coyote skin. The yenaldooshi is also said to have the power to assume the form of a coyote or other animal.
The yenaldooshi's power comes from its use of corpse powder, which is made from human cadavers. Touching the corpse powder curses a person with sickness or death. This is an inversion pollen usage, which Navajos sprinkle to produce blessings.
In Norse folklore, a Skinwalker is a person who can travel in the shape of an animal or take on certain characteristics of an animal. The most well-known example is a warrior who takes on the strength and stamina of a bear, called bear shirt or berserker.
In 6.08 All Dogs Go To Heaven, Sam tells Dean that skinwalkers, aka shapeshifters, are cousins to werewolves in that they can be killed with silver, they infect others with a bite, and they like to eat the hearts of their victims, but they can change at any time instead of being limited by the phases of the moon. The shapeshifters they encounter in Brooklyn are posing as family dogs so that they can infect the families they are with when ordered.
- See also Wendigo, Shapeshifters
