Horse, Pony, Mustang, Power Animal, Symbol of True Power, Love, Loyalty, Freedom and Mobility

By Ina Woolcott

The Horse turns up in near enough all mythology - whether in writing, folklore or reality. For example the eight legged horse of the Norse god Odin, Pegasus with the wings, Unicorns, the stallions of the Hindu sun god, the stallions of Apollo. A lot of legends depict Horse as being psychic and able to sense humans with magical powers. There is no other animal that has given man the freedom of mobility like the horse. Celtic tradition holds the horse goddess as having power over life - the cycle of birth - death - afterlife - and rebirth. Therefore having horse medicine provides the means to mentally prepare us with all these stages. Doing so helps us discover true spiritual power - that we are immortal souls using the body as a vehicle temporarily. In the Celtic tradition Horse is also associated with the power of the land itself.

When the horse came into native peoples lives and was domesticated the distance of journeys was shortened, travel and hunting was made easier. The horse enabled Natives to move their villages quickly, carrying them and their belongings to new territory and the challenges awaiting them there. They were given a new found freedom. Horses helped turn Native tribes into the powerful mounted warriors and nomads they became, although taming the horse wasn't easy, as their spirit for freedom was a fire burning within them. The People were able to discover places further afield, and not just stay close to home. Also, visiting far away clans strengthened communication and relationships. Therefore, horse is connected to sincere, meaningful relationships and valuing what our spiritual paths hold for us. This influences Native Americans customs to view Horse as the symbol of True Power, which comes when opening up to others with compassion and love, sharing their gifts with their communities.

Power is an energy which can be used on many levels. It is our servant and should not be used in a negative fashion, abused, wasted or kept to ourselves. By sharing our power with others and showing them how to develop their power and make it flourish, speeds up our journey and makes it more joyful.

At the ego level power may be used for personal gain, with complete disregard of others needs. At worst it may be used at the cost of others. As there are misuses of power to be seen and found all around us, those on the spiritual path frequently have negative emotions toward it. But being powerless is not the answer here. One must learn to use power correctly. This is an important lesson to learn and horse is a powerful teacher.

If Horse enters your life, you will probably feel a power within you that is sometimes hard to control, a bit wild and fiery! You probably love to travel. People with Horse as power animal are fiercely independent and have little tolerance for anything or anyone that limits their free expression. They give us the safety of speed and the promise of adventure.

Horse symbolises the wind, loyalty, devotion, unconditional love, friendship and companionship. Horse has faith in his master. His medicine includes power, stamina, endurance, loyalty, freedom of mobility, control of the environment, awareness of power achieved with true compliance, interspecies communication, expanding one's own latent abilities, friendship and cooperation, astral travel, guardian of travellers, warns of possible danger, guide to overcoming obstacles. He is also your warrior spirit, giving safety in your physical and metaphysical journeys.

If a wild or domestic horse has 'galloped' into your life ask yourself whether you are feeling constricted? Do you need to move on? Do you need to allow others to move on? Are you pushing boundaries that may have unpleasant consequences? Carefully consider the course your actions may lead to. You are being presented with a gift of safe movement. Do you need to get somewhere physical or spiritual? Horse will assist you. Are you afraid of a situation in your life? Horse helps awaken your inner power and bravery to get through it. If Horse is your power animal, you are a teacher to your family, partner and friends demonstrating how to be strong within themselves. Those who pick a relationship with a 'horse' person, feel a desire for self empowerment. They are searching for the horse and the power it possesses. Rather than the horse searching for them.

Horse is there to teach us how to ride into new directions, to awaken and discover our own freedom and power.