Hello lovely human – Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse!!
I’ve been sitting with this turning and I promise, there’s more than a runaway horse and fire burning out of control ahead of us.
The qualities most popularly bandied about to describe the energies of this lunar year humanity has found itself in are –
Leadership. Energy. Ambition. Drive. Progress. Power.
These are presented in a way that I find a bit frightening and aggressive, mostly superficial, aligned with patriarchal hustle culture and very Yang.
So let’s explore what else is present and possible when we take a deeper look at the qualites of Horse and the element of Fire…
Here’s a bit of what I know about horses.
Horses, when approached with honesty, attention, openness and respect can be the most engaging and delightful of companions and partners. They are deeply loyal and create long lasting friendships.
Horses have enormous heart capacity. The electrical energy of the heart radiates out around them– five times that of a human. Their heart rhythm is naturally “coherent,” a frequency linked to calm, joy, cooperation and ease.
This is why simply being with horses quietly brings us into those states as well.
Horses are powerful mirrors and will reflect a human’s energy back to them. If you are feeling one way and acting another they will respond to what is unspoken and true – not the pretense, mask or bluff.
Horses want authenticity and presence, not persona.
I remember one time I was sitting on the ground in a field with a herd of horses around me. I was all up in my head, silently fuming about something. A beautiful grey walked up to me from behind, nipped me on the shoulder and as I shot up and faced him, he just looked at me like – “Well?! Knock that off! Look around you! Get present!”
I also remember another time working with a group of horses and humans for healing purposes.
One horse was particularly unresponsive to this particular human. She could not get the horse to engage with her or even look at her at all.
Until she got real. Allowed all her posturing, all the ideas about how she was “supposed” to be doing it to fall away She softened and began to cry.
Then the horse quite simply, gently walked right up to her, signaled it was in accord, nuzzling her with its head in solidarity, comfort and acceptance.
Horses ask that you “entrain” heart to heart. Authentically matching energy with them in order to move forward, harmoniously. Together.
Horses are highly intelligent, social animals. Horses are also herd animals, which means they work together for the good of all.
Humans are herd animals as well, which we tend to forget in the midst of the cultural push toward “individualism,” competition and self-centering.
In the hierarchical order of the herd – the stallion is in charge of protecting his herd. He will do this with his life if necessary. When it is time to move the stallion locates himself in the very back of the herd – as protector. Archetypally, masculine energy when positively expressed creates steadiness, safety and gives a sense of “having our back”.
The daily needs and movements of the heard are led by a rotating group of mares.
When the current lead mare falls back for any reason another one simply and immediately takes her place. Leadership is fluid. They know that they survive and ultimately thrive when the herd also thrives and survives.
Courageous action informed by your intrinsic, authentic and unique aspect within the Whole is a theme for the year.
Horses are able to travel far and be of great service. They also
need to rest, have plenty of fresh water as well as time to quietly commune and restore themselves.
Horse is calling for deliberate attention to Rest, restoration and abundant hydration this year.
Because of the nature of their digestion – horses need be mindful of what they eat.
Tending to what you take in and consume in all ways this year will be important to engender a healthy constitution and outlook – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
What will truly nourish and sustain you in fulfilling the vision for the future you wish to create?
Horses sleep standing up. You will rarely see a horse lying down. Movement is crucial to their health as well as their ability to digest what they take in.
Movement is a strong theme for this Fire Horse year.
It’s grand to gallop.
It is also delicious to meander and wander.
I am reminded how simple walking can free the mind to allow integration and assimilation of external input so that authentic creative action may arise and inform.
Follow the body’s impulses to move!
Speaking of movement – my sense is this year is going to move VERY quickly. Time already appears to be speeding up and bending in odd ways.
Horses are also highly attuned to their surroundings and to each other. Being aware of and remembering our intrinsic connection and Unity – our underlying Oneness – heals divisiveness and is deeply curative.
And.
We don’t want to get lost in the energy of the collective.
I believe it is especially important to be mindful of not carelessly “following the herd” this year.
Sitting quietly and regularly dropping in, utilizing practices to support self individuation are of vital importance in order to not be swept up by the panic of the herd, aka – mass consciousness and the collective psychic manipulation through fear and chaos that is and will continue to be afoot.
Step back. Breathe. Utilize trustworthy tools and practices to stay connected to your body and spirit
I repeat.
Take time to become coherent every day so you may BE calm.
Be Peace. Be clear.
Be authentic in your responses.
So you may be bold in your heart centered – actions.
Then you will be able to move forward, connected to your beautiful generative heart, your body’s brilliant wisdom and your wise inner compass –
Rather than following the mind’s push to fulfill the unconscious and illusory siren song of perfection and the impossible fulfillment of the never truly completed “to do” list.
In other words – find your Joy and practice it!
What about the Fire element partnering with Horse?
Yes, Fire can burn things up and destroy, yet this same quality also has the power to transmute and transform. To warm and illuminate the darkness.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine Fire is the element that rules the heart. Can you say synchronicity?
The Fire element is also associated with the emotion of Joy. Joy is one of the qualities emitted in heart coherence. (For more about Heart Coherence check out HeartMath Institute.)
The Fire Element’s sound is laughing. What a great practice to cultivate this year!
The taste associated with Fire is bitter.
Bitter herbs support digestion, clear the lungs, support the circulatory system, the nervous system and reduce inflammation
Perhaps develop a relationship with Dandelion, Chicory, Endive or Arugula this year.
Fire traditionally feeds the hearth and warms the home when it is well tended. Fire supports nourishment and warmth.
Fire needs tending to support Life.
When Life is moving too fast, when tempers are flared, when the heat feels like it’s been turned up – keep coming back to the Land.
Thank the Great Mother – Earth. Rest in her lap. Practice grounding… bare feet on Earth.
When things get “too hot”
Remember Water tempers Fire – stay hydrated this year.
Spend time around natural bodies of water. Sit by a river and ask her to teach you about Flow.
Take a bath. Splash your face.
Fire can also burn itself out if left untended.Wood feeds Fire – go to the woods. Go to nature. Watch the sunrise. Rest and restore.
When all is said and done – Remember Joy!
Be sure to kick up your heels, feel your oats.
Play a little!
Laugh a lot!
Some questions to ponder….
What is the potential you would like to align with this year as we move further into the year of the Fire Horse?
What are you being called to bring movement to?
What will support the deepening of your authentic joyful expression?
What qualities of the Horse do you choose to cultivate in your own life?
I’d love to know if you’d like to share…
~ ~ ~
My best friend as a child growing up and through adolescence was a delicate little mare I affectionately named Dinker.
I dedicate this Missive to her, her beautiful gentle heart and sweet spirit that got me through so, so much.
