(Equidae)
The horse is native of Europe, Asia and Africa. Then, men took them to America. It is an odd-toed ungulate mammal. They have a big head, a long neck and slender legs. They are very resilient and can run fast. The fastest species, the Tibetan Kiang, can reach, in short distances, a speed of up to 43,50Mph (70 km/h). They live in the grasslands of Eurasia and in the deserts of Africa. Among its main features we find its deep wide chest, a thicker mane and a long bushy tail. The eyes have rectangular pupils and are found on the sides of the head, allowing them a panoramic view. The ears are long and they can rotate, which help them identify the source of the noise without turning their head.
Horses in Mythology: The development of civilization happened together with the domestication of horses. Therefore, they play a great role in different mythologies. Horses were always considered a Messenger of the gods. In Norse mythology, it is said that Odin had an eight-legged mare called Sleipnir. The Celts venerated horses along with the goddess of fertility, Epona / Rhiannon. The Druids had two holidays to honor the horses: on May, 1st (Beltane) and on November, 1st (Samhain). During Beltane, a white horse brought fertility and announced the summer and the warm season of the year On Samhain, there was a black horse, accompanying persons during the dark time of the Moon and the stars and the way to the Upper world. In Chinese Buddhism, a winged horse is often depicted carrying the Book of Law. In the Chinese calendar, there is the year of the horse. It is the seventh of the twelve signs and corresponds to Gemini. It is associated with cunning, enthusiasm, optimism and dynamism. There were Years of the Horse 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, etc. In Japan, it is said that the goddess Bato Kannon can take the shape of a horse. In the Islam, the horse represents luck, in Christianity; it represents the resurrection, the elevation of the souls and the heavenly journey. Nowadays, on December, 26th, it is celebrated in many places the day of San Esteban, the blessing of the horses.
The horse in the interpretation of dreams: It connects us with our inner strength and with our pride. This animal shows us the values of loyalty and of inner freedom.
Horse Essence: It connects us with the feeling of amplitude and of the beauty of nature. The essence gives flexibility and mobility.
On the body level: It helps us to better perceive our body. We learn to respect and love our body. We understand the importance of taking care of it. We can learn how good it is to do the exercise needed for our general welfare in the open air and by doing this we perceive our body differently. It strengthens the blood circulation, our lungs work better, the toxins and impurities of our body can be dissolved and eliminated. According to the German saying "When I rest, I rust" (Rast ich, so rost ich), we learn that there´s a sport for every age. By practicing some sport, we achieve greater flexibility and have a clearer head and in this way we experience that our sense of vitality is increased.
On the emotional level: The essence helps us to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. We learn to love ourselves, increasing our sense of wellbeing. We develop a new strength and courage and we dare to take a new leap in our lives. We also learn to better connect with the earth in a way and to increase our strength and our vital energy. We will want to experience new things in our lives and we will feel internally free and full of strength.
On the spiritual level: The horse essence helps us free ourselves internally, to break old spiritual ties and to move forward in our life. We experience the grace and inner pride of these animals that make their home in the grasslands. In the same way, we feel inwardly free, breathing deeply and enjoying the beauty of the nature of God. We experience ourselves as Creations of God, we learn to respect and love ourselves enjoying life and nature gratefully.
