Power Animal Horse
Most cultures believe that we have one or more specific animal spirit(s) connected to us and that can be teachers and guides. These are known as power animals, spirit animals or totem animals. We look at characteristics of horse, horse in world traditions, and what it means if Horse is your power animal.
Common associations for horses and the Horse power animal include the following:
Affection, Ambition, Authority, Battle, Beauty, Challenge, Competition, Confidence, Conquest, Courage, Creativeness, Determination, Devotion, Endurance, Expressiveness, Faithfulness, Fearlessness, Fortitude, Freedom, Generosity, Gentleness, Heroism, Independence, Influence, Integrity, Intuition, Justice, Majesty, Movement, Nobility, Perseverance, Power, Resurrection, Royalty, Service, Speed, Spirit, Stamina, Status, Strength, Success, Travel, Triumph, Trust, Valor, Victory, War, Warriors, Wealth
Horses live in family groups and are sociable herd animals. They do not live alone by choice, and in a herd socialize, play, and mutually groom each other. Horses that live in a herd communicate with one another by body language. While they are naturally gentle and peaceful creatures, horses are capable of incredibly bravery. A horse that feels trapped will kick out, strike, or bite if they cannot escape, and will not back down if confronted, which why people use them in warfare.
Horses are prey animals who instinctively run away from danger. An American quarter horse can achieve speeds of up to fifty-five mph. One of the advantages of the herd is safety in numbers. Horses use their vision and hearing to sense danger, although when grazing it is difficult to see predators, so many pairs of eyes and ears help. A horse living alone in the wild is more at risk from predators and expends energy staying permanently alert. A horse kept alone is stressed due to not having companions.
Horses are herbivores, eat a high fiber, low energy diet, eating tiny amounts for between 12 and 16 hours during the day and night. In the wild horses travel up to twenty miles a day, walking steadily while grazing, which helps to keep their blood and lymphatic fluids moving and to wear their hooves down. Domestic horses should have freedom of movement as far as possible. Horses have incredibly endurance. A horse in good condition can travel as much as one hundred miles a day carrying a rider.
Horses appear in the mythology of all cultures, being widely associated with battles and war, where they are loyal companions, and being symbols of the ability to bridge the gap between people and spirits.
In Greek Mythology, horses included the winged horse Pegasus who carried thunderbolts to Zeus, the one-horned Unicorn, the half-horse, half-human Centaurs, the half-horse, and the half-fish Hippocampi, who pulled the sea god Poseidon’s chariot. The horse was also a symbol for the city of Troy.
In Celtic and Roman mythology, the goddesses Epona, and Macha were associated with horses, as was Rhiannon. In a Druid ritual, a person who to be a leader or king slept inside a sacrificed horse skin. In Ireland and Scotland, a fairy Pooka horse drew travelers to their death. Epona and Rhiannon were also goddesses of death and the afterlife, so horses transported people between life and the afterlife. In Norse mythology, horses were also a transport between life and death. Odin had an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir which could between the worlds. The Elder Futhark Ewhaz rune represents horse.
Egyptians revered horses and did not work them. Rameses the second dined with horses. In Northwest Africa, the tradition of the Fantasia involves men wearing traditional clothing galloping in formation and firing arms. In Guinea, there is a custom to cut a horse’s tail as an offering for a good harvest.
In Chinese mythology, horse introduces the Buddhist sutras and was s symbol of justice. The Chinese also have legends about a Dragon Horse. In Japanese mythology, people thought of horse as a spirit animal and a divine that the gods rode. The Mongols revered horses and called the human soul a “wind horse.” Mongols also had a horse deity they called Kisaγa Tngri who protected human souls, and a god named Ataγa Tngri who was a protector of horses.
To Native Americans horse symbolized freedom and was a token of war and a symbol of wealth. It was also a clan animal, and tribes held horse dances. Native Americans believed Indians that rode horses had divine power, and it was a custom to paint the horse to increase its magical powers.
Horses and horse symbols also feature in religions. In Christianity, a white horse is a symbol of death, a black horse a symbol of death and evil, and a combined black and white horse is a symbol life and death. The Bible described horses positively. The Book of Revelations says Jesus will return riding a white horse, a symbol of his justice. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse are punishments from God, the red house symbolizing war, the white horse conquest, the black horse famine, and the green or pale horse death.
In Buddhism, horse is the carrier of Prana and is associated with Dharma. In Buddhism, a white horse symbolizes purity and the Buddha himself. Hindus also hold the horse in high regard, referring to horses as gifts from God, although Krishna killed a demonic being in the form of a Horse. According to Hindu mythology, the first horse was a seven-headed creature named Uchchaihshravas, who could fly and reach all the worlds. Horses had a role in the sun rising and setting every day. The Hindu god Kalki, who was a manifestation or avatar of the god Vishnu, portrayed as riding a giant white horse.
If horse or horse symbols and images appears to you it can have different meanings. You may be about to embark on an unexpected adventure. It may be time to free yourself from those physically and emotionally constricting aspects of your life. You may need to call on reserves the stamina and strength to get you through this ordeal. It signifies that you are more powerful than you think you are.
People interpret the meaning of seeing a horse in dreams in the following ways. Horses are a sign that you may experience good luck. If you see a horse in a dream, it can mean that you have energy and drive to fulfill your destiny. It could also mean future success. If you see a horse in a race, it can be a metaphor for a relationship, and whether it is winning or losing can reflect your feelings about a relationship. If you see a still horse, it could mean it is no longer worth investing your energy in a situation or relationship (you are beating a dead horse). A horse pulling a cart can mean you need to let go of things that are a burden. Seeing a horseshoe in a dream is lucky. A talking horse could be a guide bringing you a message.
A white horse is a good omen and represents spiritual progress or the coming or spiritual lessons or teachers into your life. A gray horse indicated you will resolve any present difficulties. A black horse is symbolic of death and rebirth and may indicate the need to take a leap of faith. A brown horse can indicate career advancement or that you are going through challenging times, and is a reminder not to be overly materialistic, but to release possessions to make room for abundance to come into your life. A red horse if a sign of hidden negative feelings on the part of yourself or another person.
Call on horse in the following situations. If you feel that circumstances or other’s beliefs are holding you back. If you feel victimized and blame others for your current situation. When you feel the urge to travel and explore novel places but feel apprehensive about this. If your energy is low and you need a boost of strength and endurance. If you want to enhance your development but are not sure how to go about it.
If horse is your power animal, your personal freedom is important to you. You feel free to express yourself. You are social and friendly and well-regarded by others. You have strong emotions and enthusiastic desires. You can travel to other realities to expand your horizons and meet spirit guides. You welcome new travel experiences in physical reality. You are loyal to those who have earned your trust. You are a natural leader and inspire confidence in others. You have physical strength and vitality. You can overcome obstacles in your life. You are in alignment with your purpose and feel inspired to move forward, succeed in your initiatives, and be the best version of yourself that you can be.
The header image is Image by Miguel Muñoz Hierro from Pixabay link