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*D.J. Conway/Animal Magick:
The horse is from the species Equus caballus, which distinguishes it from the ass and zebra, who are from the same genus family. There is a great number of breeds of horses, each possessing distinctive characteristics not common to the others. The modern horse has descended from three basic stocks: the Libyan horse of northern Africa; the common horse of Upper Asia and Europe; and the Celtic pony.

This animal was known to the Babylonians as far bac as 2300 B.C.E. and was used by them to draw war chariots beginning in about 1700 B.C.E. The horse was used for riding by the Greeks, Alaric, Attilla, and Genghis Kahn among others. It was brought to the New World by Cortez.

Because the horse was such a valuable animal, only the rich could afford to sacrifice it. This creature symbolized the Sun and the Moon, the sky and the Underworld, according to its color and the deity with which it appeared. The white horse was connected with the Moon; red, white, or golden ones with the Sun. Black horses, such as the one ridden by the Wild Huntsman, accompanied deities of death and the Underworld. The horse in general symbolized power, swiftness, wisdom, prophetic abilities, magickal powers.

In Persia, Greece, Rome, and Scandinavia the white horse was especially sacred. The Chinese Cosmic Cloud Horse, an aatar of Kuan Yin, was white, as was the horse of the Japanese deity Kwannon. The Celestial Charger, the Horse King Ma-wang of China, was considered to be the ancestor of all horses. The Chinese Ancestral Horse was always accompanied by a dragon, a phoenix, and a crane. The Middle Eastern goddess Anahita drove a chariot pulled by four white horses that represented wind, rain, cloud, and sleet. In India, the horse signifies the cosmos, wind, sea foam, fire, and light itself.

The Romans had an annual horse sacrifice called the October Horse, or Cut Horse. The severed bleeding tail was taken to the Temple of Vesta where the blood was allowed to drip on the altar (the closest the Vestals ever came to blood sacrifice). The chariots of Apollo and Mithras were drawn by white horses.

The Muslims called the horse a "god-sent" animal, believing it can prophesy, foresee danger, and see the dead. The Atharva Veda of the Zoroastrians tells of a snake-killing horse, Pedu, who was the enemy of Ahriman and the protector of the pure animals. In India, the Sun god Surya had seven red mares to pull his chariot.

Among the Norse and northern Germans, the horse was sacred to Odhinn; he had an eight-legged gray horse called Sleipnir that could run on land, sea, or in the air. The Skalds used the kenning "high-chested rope-Sleipnir" to mean the gallows on which sacrifices to Odhinn were hung; the Old Norse word drasil meant borht horse and gallows, while Yggr was one of Odhinn's names. The Eddas mention special horses with golden manes, such as Freyfaxi.

Gray cloud-horses were said to be an alternative method of travel for the Valkyries. In the ancient festival called May Riding, a woman representeing Freyja rode on a white horse, while a man representing Freyr rode on a black one. Very ancient Sweedish kings were sacrificed by being ritually torn apart by horse-masked preistesses of Freyja; these priestesses were called Valkyries in the texts. The volva, a priestess of Freyja, was said by medieval writers to be able to transform herself into a mare. They believed the volva took on the personification of the death-goddess who rode the Valraven, a winged black horse.

Sacred to the goddesses Epona and Rhiannon, the horse was thought by the Celts to be a guide to the Otherworlds. This animal was an emblem of war and solar deities. Epona was a version of the Cretan Leukippe (White Mare), an Amazon horse goddess. The ancient Welsh horse god was called Waelsi or Waels, who the Slavic cultures knew as Volos.

Superstitions: Some of the older houses in Jutland still bear a double-headed horse carved into the rafters for luck. Horseshoes are widely believed to avert evil and bring good fortune; this belief is also held by the Jews, the Turks, and many others around the world. Ornaments woven from horsehair are said to protect the wearer.

In Wales, a gray horse is considered to be a death omen, as is dreaming of a white horse in England and Germany. If you meet a white horse, you can break the spell if you spit on the ground. Gray horses and horses with four white feet are considered unlucky in racing. Non-racing horses that have spots or patches of color are said to have magickal talents.

It is a general superstition that horses will tremble and refuse to go on if they come near a dead body, even though they can't see it.

The herb moonwart is supposed to cause horseshoes to fall off the horse's feet. However, if the rider happened to be at the stones of Wayland Smithy in Berkshire, England (near the famous White Horse), he could place a coin on one fo the stones. Leaving the horse there, and withdrawing out of sight, he could then expect the horse to be magickally shod.

A holed stone (known as a hogstone in England) was hung over the stable door to protect horses against witches and faeries riding them to exhaustion at night.

Originally, the tail was plaited with ribbons to keep the horse safe from witches.

Horse brasses were considered to be magickal in such far-apart places as China and Scandinavia. They were used to protect horses from witches and the evil eye.

A deeper a horse dips his nostrils while drinking, the better sire he will be.

When its master dies, a horse will shed tears.

At one time there were groups of horsemen who passed along secret words. It was believed that if these words were whispered in a horse's ear it gave the person immediate command over the animal.

Magickal attributes: Stamina, endurance, faithfulness. It symbolizes freedom when it runs free; when it works with humans, it represents friendship and cooperation. Travel, journey, swiftness, friends, loyalty. Astral traveling. Companion and guardian when taking a trip. Guide to overcoming obstacles. checking a situation for possible dangers.

*Jamie Sams & David Carson/Medicine Cards:
Power. "Stealing horses is stealing power" was a statement made frequently in historical native America and a reference to the esteemed role which HOrse played in the native cultures.

Horse is physical power and unearthly power. In shamanic practices throughout the world, Horse enables shamans to fly through the air and reach heaven.

Humanity made a great leap forward when Horse was domesticated, a discovery akin to that of fire. Before Horse, humans were earthbound, heavy-laden, and slow creatures indeed. Once humans climbed on Horse's back, they were as free and fleet as the wind. They could carry burdens for great distances with ease. Through their special relationship with Horse, humans altered their self-concept beyond measure. Horse was the first animal medicine of civilization. Humanity owes an incalculable debt to Horse and to the neew medicine it brought. It would be a long walk to see one's brother or sister if Horse had not welcomed the two-legged rider upon its back. Today we measure the capacity of engines with the term "horsepower," a reminder of the days when Horse was an honored an dhighly-prized partner with humanity.

Dreamwalker, a medicine man, was walking across the plains to visit the Arapaho Nation. He carried with him his pipe. The feather tied into his long black hair pointed to the ground, marking him as a man of peace. Over the rise of a hill, Dreamwalker saw a herd of wild mustangs running toward him.

Black Stallion approached him and asked if he was seeking an answer on his journey. Black Stallion said, "I am from the Void where Answer lives. Ride on my back and know the power of entering the Darkness and finding the Light." Dreamwalker thanked Black Stallion and agreed to visit him when his medicine was needed in the Dreamtime.

Yellow Stallion approached Dreamwalker next and offered to take him to the East, where illumination lives. Dreamwalker could share the answers he found there to teach and illuminate others. Once again, Dreamwalker thanked Yellow Stallion and said he would use the gifts of power on his journey.

Red Stallion approached, rearing playfully. He told Dreamwalker of the joys of balancing work and heavy medicine with the joyful experiences of play. He reminded Dreamwalker that he could better hold the attention of those he taught when humor was integrated with the lesson. Dreamwalker thanked him and promised to remember the gift of joy.

Dreamwalker was nearing his destination. The Arapaho Nation was close at hand. White Stallion came to the front of the herd. Dreamwalker mounted White Stallion's back. White Stallion was the message carrier for all the other horses, and represented wisdom in power. This magnificent horse was the embodiment of the balanced medicine shield. "No abuse of power will ever lead to wisdom," said White Stallion. "You, Dreamwalker, have made this journey to heal a brother in need, you share the sacred pipe, and to heal the Mother Earth. You have the knowledge through humility that you are an instrument of Great Spirit. As I carry you upon my back, you carry the needs of the people on yours. IN wisdom, you understand that power is not given lightly but awarded to those who are willing to csrry responsibility in a balanced manner."

Dreamwalker, the shaman, had been healed by the visit of the wild horses, and knew that his purpose in coming to the Arapaho was to share these gifts with them.

In understanding the power of Horse, you may see how to strive for a balanced medicine shield. True power is wisdom found in remembering your total journey. Wisdom comes from remembering pathways you have walked in another preson's moccasins. Compassion, caring, teaching, loving, and sharing your gifts, talents, and abilities are the gateways to power.

Contrary: If your ego has gotten in the way, you may have failed to notice the lack of respect you hae been receiving from others. You may, on the other hand, be struggling with others who are abusing their power. "Should I say something? Should I fight my desire to put them in their place?" you may be asking. Remember the times in your own life when you have fallen out of grace wtih Great Spirit, and then have compassion for the brothers or sisters who are now doing the same. If you are overpowering another or feeling overwhelmed, Horse medicine in both the dignified and contrary positions is a simple reminder of how to balance your shields.

In allowing all pathways to have equal validity, you will see the power and glory of the unified family of humanity. This is the gift of the Rainbow Warrior and Warrioress. The "I" has no place in this Whirling Rainbow that comes from the Great Mystery and is replaced by the universal "we." All colors of the rainbow and all pathways are honored as one.

Apply this knowlege and reclaim the power you have given away by forgetting to come from compassion. Untangle yourself from the present situation and understand that every human being must follow this pathway to power before galloping upon the winds of destiny.

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