I am with some people who are visiting. We’ve brought them to this outdoor exhibition of a re-enactment of some war preceding the Civil War (of 1861-). I’ve been here before, and enjoyed the show. There’s a lot of marching, playing of the trumpet and drums. My guests seem to be enjoying the ‘jeux’.
Some kind of conflict breaks out on the field. My back is turned away from the foray (fray) as I converse with someone. Then I hear fast thundering hooves, and before I know it, am swept up off the ground by a rider on the right side of the sweating, frothy horse. He holds me straight up, my feet a few inches above the ground. I’m aware the earth underneath me is a shallow embankment (the horse is at a lower level). My laced boot is caught in the seam of my dress. I struggle to free my foot, thinking I can push myself away from this madman. The horse continues to race along the bank, and I imagine myself getting away and running along the bank from the sheer velocity of the situation, and gradually slowing down to a stop. I’m breathless.
The rider is dressed in brown woollens, is wearing a farmer’s hat – guess he’s a commoner, has high black leather boots fit into well-worn stirrups. My dress in medium blue cotton is gathered at the waist, with a black fitted waistcoat over a light-coloured blouse. I have a simple white cotton colonist hat with frills, (covering) dark wavy hair, am a young woman. My button and laced-up boots are Victorian in style. I’m a commoner too.
I shifted from being a modern-day middle-aged woman to this ‘commoner’ the moment the rider snatched me up from where I was standing. Is he trying to save me? Or is this a game, or contest? Or simply an exhibition of skill? I am not strung over the horse, but am held with the rider’s one strong arm around my mid-rift, above my waist, bound, squished against his right leg, my head held against him as well. My left hand reaches down to untangle the hem of my dress as we gallop wildly at full speed, while my right hand is grasping, hanging on in fear of falling. All I can think about is getting away from horse and rider. The dark (not black) horse’s heavy breathing as he gallops resounds in my ears and the smell of wet leather harness leaves an acrid taste in my mouth.
To dream that you are in the Victorian period, indicates that you are feeling sexually repressed. You feel you are unable to full express yourself. If you are wearing Victorian style clothes, then it means that you are feeling confined or restricted in some way. The dreaming mind likes to play word games and so the dream may point to someone in your life who is named "Vicky" or "Victoria". Or it can signify victory!
The symbolism of the horse is extremely complex, and beyond a
certain point not very clearly defined. Eliade finds it an animal associated with
burial-rites in chthonian cults (17), whereas Mertens Stienon considers it an
ancient symbol of the cyclic movement of the world of phenomena; hence the
horses, which Neptune with his trident lashes up out of the waves, symbolize the
cosmic forces that surge out of the Akasha—the blind forces of primigenial chaos
(39). Applying this latter concept to the biopsychological plane, Diel concludes
that the horse stands for intense desires and instincts, in accordance with the
general symbolism of the steed-and the vehicle (15). The horse plays an important part in a great number of ancient rites. The ancient Rhodians used to make an
annual sacrifice to the sun of a four-horse quadriga, which they would hurl into
the sea (21). The animal was also dedicated to Mars, and the sudden appearance
of a horse was thought to be an omen of war (8). In Germany and England, to
dream of a white horse was thought to be an omen of death (35). It is very
interesting to note that the great myth and symbol of the Gemini, illustrated in
pairs or twins, in two-headed beasts or in anthropomorphic figures with four
eyes and four arms, etc., appears, too, in horse-symbolism, especially in the form
of a pair of horses, one white and one black, representing life and death. The
Indian Asvins—the probable source of Castor and Pollux—would depict themselves as horsemen. In mediaeval illustrations of the Zodiac, the sign for the
Gemini is sometimes portrayed in this way, as for example in the Zodiac of Notre
Dame de Paris (39). Considering that the horse pertains to the natural, unconscious, instinctive zone, it is not surprising that, in Antiquity, it should often have
been endowed with certain powers of divination (8). In fable and legend, horses,
being clairvoyant, are often assigned the task of giving a timely warning to their
masters, as in the Grimms’ fable, for example. Jung came to wonder if the horse
might not be a symbol for the mother, and he does not hesitate to assert that it
expresses the magic side of Man, ‘the mother within us’, that is, intuitive understanding. On the other hand, he recognizes that the horse is a symbol pertaining
to Man’s baser forces, and also to water, which explains why the horse is associated with Pluto and Neptune (56). Deriving from the magical nature of the horse,
is the belief that the horse-shoe brings luck. On account of his fleetness, the horse
can also signify the wind and sea-foam, as well as fire and light. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (I, 1), the horse is actually a symbol of the cosmos
(31) (Plate XVIII).
To see a horse in your dream, symbolizes strength, power, endurance, virility and sexual prowess. It also represents a strong, physical energy. You need to tame the wild forces within. The dream may also be a pun that you are "horsing around". Alternatively, to see a horse in your dream, indicate that you need to be less arrogant and "get off your high horse".
To see a black or dark horse in your dream, signifies mystery, wildness, and the unknown. You are taking a chance or a gamble at some unknown situation. It may even refer to occult forces. If the horse is white, then it signifies purity, prosperity and good fortunes. To dream that you are being chased by a white horse, may be a pun on chaste. Perhaps you are having difficulties dealing with issues of intimacy and sexuality.
To see a dead horse in your dream, indicates that something in your life that initially offered you strength is now gone. This may refer to a relationship or situation. Consider the phrase "beating a dead horse" to indicate that you may have maximized the usefulness of a certain circumstance.
To see a herd of wild horses in your dream, signifies a sense of freedom and lack of responsibilities and duties. Perhaps it may also indicate your uncontrolled emotions. If you are riding a wild horse, then it represents unrestrained sexual desires.
To dream that you are riding a horse, suggests that you are in a high position or position of power. Alternatively, it indicates that you will achieve success through underhanded means. You lack integrity. If you are riding a horse that is out of control, then it means that you are being carried away by your passions.
To see an armored or medieval horse in your dream, refers to your fierceness, aggression, power and/or rigidity. You may too confrontational. Alternatively, you may be trying to protect yourself from unconscious material or sexual desires that is emerging.
To dream that you are bathing a horse, represents a renewal of strength and vigor. You are experiencing a burst of energy in some aspect of your life.
If you dream of seeing or riding a white horse, the indications are favorable for prosperity and pleasurable commingling with congenial friends and fair women. If the white horse is soiled and lean, your confidence will be betrayed by a jealous friend or a woman. If the horse is black, you will be successful in your fortune, but you will practice deception, and will be guilty of assignations. To a woman, this dream denotes that her husband is unfaithful.
To dream of dark horses, signifies prosperous conditions, but a large amount of discontent. Fleeting pleasures usually follow this dream.
To see yourself riding a fine bay horse, denotes a rise in fortune and gratification of passion. For a woman, it foretells a yielding to importunate advances. She will enjoy material things.
To ride or see passing horses, denotes ease and comfort.
To ride a runaway horse, your interests will be injured by the folly of a friend or employer.
To see a horse running away with others, denotes that you will hear of the illness of friends.
To see fine stallions, is a sign of success and high living, and undue passion will master you.
To see brood mares, denotes congeniality and absence of jealousy between the married and sweethearts.
To ride a horse to ford a stream, you will soon experience some good fortune and will enjoy rich pleasures. If the stream is unsettled or murky, anticipated joys will be somewhat disappointing.
To swim on a horse's back through a clear and beautiful stream of water, your conception of passionate bliss will be swiftly realized. To a business man, this dream portends great gain.
To see a wounded horse, foretells the trouble of friends.
To dream of a dead horse, signifies disappointments of various kinds.
To dream of riding a horse that bucks, denotes that your desires will be difficult of consummation. To dream that he throws you, you will have a strong rival, and your business will suffer slightly through competition.
To dream that a horse kicks you, you will be repulsed by one you love.
Your fortune will be embarrassed by ill health.
To dream of catching a horse to bridle and saddle, or harness it, you will see a great improvement in business of all kinds, and people of all callings will prosper. If you fail to catch it, fortune will play you false.
To see spotted horses, foretells that various enterprises will bring you profit.
To dream of having a horse shod, your success is assured.
For a woman, this dream omens a good and faithful husband.
To dream that you shoe a horse, denotes that you will endeavor to and perhaps make doubtful property your own.
To dream of race horses, denotes that you will be surfeited with fast living, but to the farmer this dream denotes prosperity.
To dream that you ride a horse in a race, you will be prosperous and enjoy life.
To dream of killing a horse, you will injure your friends through selfishness.
To mount a horse bareback, you will gain wealth and ease by hard struggles.
To ride bareback in company with men, you will have honest people to aid you, and your success will be merited. If in company with women, your desires will be loose, and your prosperity will not be so abundant as might be if women did not fill your heart.
To curry a horse, your business interests will not be neglected for frivolous pleasures.
To dream of trimming a horse's mane, or tail, denotes that you will be a good financier or farmer. Literary people will be painstaking in their work and others will look after their interest with solicitude.
To dream of horses, you will amass wealth and enjoy life to its fullest extent.
To see horses pulling vehicles, denotes wealth with some incumbrance, and love will find obstacles.
If you are riding up a hill and the horse falls but you gain the top, you will win fortune, though you will have to struggle against enemies and jealousy. If both the horse and you get to the top, your rise will be phenomenal, but substantial.
For a young girl to dream that she rides a black horse,
denotes that she should be dealt with by wise authority.
Some wishes will be gratified at an unexpected time.
Black in horses, signifies postponements in anticipations.
To see a horse with a tender foot, denotes that some unexpected unpleasantness will insinuate itself into your otherwise propitious state.
If you attempt to fit a broken shoe which is too small for the horse's foot, you will be charged with making fraudulent deals with unsuspecting parties.
To ride a horse down hill, your affairs will undoubtedly disappoint you. For a young woman to dream that a friend rides behind her on a horse, denotes that she will be foremost in the favors of many prominent and successful men. If she was frightened, she is likely to stir up jealous sensations. If after she alights from the horse it turns into a pig, she will carelessly pass by honorable offers of marriage, preferring freedom until her chances of a desirable marriage are lost. If afterward she sees the pig sliding gracefully along the telegraph wire, she will by intriguing advance her position,
For a young woman to dream that she is riding a white horse up and down hill, often looking back and seeing some one on a black horse, pursuing her, denotes she will have a mixed season of success and sorow,{sic} but through it all a relentless enemy is working to overshadow her with gloom and disappointment.
To see a horse in human flesh, descending on a hammock through the air, and as it nears your house is metamorphosed into a man, and he approaches your door and throws something at you which seems to be rubber but turns into great bees, denotes miscarriage of hopes and useless endeavors to regain lost valuables. To see animals in human flesh, signifies great advancement to the dreamer, and new friends will be made by modest wearing of well-earned honors. If the human flesh appears diseased or freckled, the miscarriage of well-laid plans is denoted.
Seeing a horse in your dream, represents a strong, physical energy. You need to tame the wild forces. The dream may imply that you have been horsing around. Or perhaps you need to be less arrogant and "get off your high horse". Seeing a black or dark horse in your dream means mystery, wildness, and the unknown. You may be taking a chance or gamble at some unknown area. It may even represents occult forces. If the horse is white, then it means purity, prosperity and good fortunes. Dreaming that you are being chased by a white horse, may be a pun on chaste. Perhaps you are having difficulties dealing with issues of intimacy and sexuality. Seeing a dead horse in your dream indicates that something in your life that initially offered you strength is now gone. This may refer to a relationship or situation. Seeing a herd of wild horses in your dream means a sense of freedom and lack of responsibilities/duties. Perhaps it may also indicated your uncontrolled emotions. Dreaming that you are riding a horse indicates that you will achieve success through underhanded means. You lack integrity. If you are riding a horse that is out of control means that you are being carried away by your passions. Seeing an armored or medieval horse in your dream, refers to your fierceness, aggression, power and/or rigidity. You may be seen as too confrontational. Alternatively, you may be trying to protect yourself from unconscious material or sexual desires that is emerging. Dreaming that you are bathing a horse, represents a renewal of strength and vigor. You are experiencing a burst of energy in some aspect of your life.
The horse is a noble and powerful animal. As a dream symbol it can represent a wide range of positive thoughts and ideas about self or others. Depending on the details of the dream, horses can symbolize freedom, power, and sexual energy. At times, they can also be considered messengers, relaying information from the unconscious to the conscious, from the spiritual to the physical. If you are horseback riding it suggests that you are self-assured and feel a sense of control in your daily life. Old dream interpretation books say that the colour of the horse is also significant. (Remember that this is based on superstition.) Black horses are said to point out delays; white horses reinforce the positive and trans-formative aspects of life; grey horses may point to the difficulties in the dreamers current situation; piebald horses are symbolic of confusion; brown horses are associated with mental pursuits; tan horses are said to be symbolic of love and sex.
Symbol meanings of the Horse date back to prehistory, and the first civilized, written acknowledgement of the Horse comes in the third millennium BC where historians uncovered slate tablets in Elam (present day Iraq and Iran) which reference this noble, wild beast.
Due to its natural companionship with man in both work and art, the Horse easily wins a special seat in history, ranking high marks of honor, reverence and symbolism.
Serving man in war, mobility, productivity, agriculture, development of all kinds, the Horse is by far one of the largest contributor to the enhancement of civilization.
With such recognition and accomplishments, a vast and diverse trail of symbol meanings is sure to follow the Horse’s rich history with humankind.
A summary of prevalent symbol meanings for the horse:
Power
Grace
Beauty
Nobility
Strength
Freedom
The Horse symbol meanings of power are widespread through most cultures, and it is linked as an emblem of life-force. Many cultures assign the attributes of the four elements to the Horse: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.
As a Celtic symbol,the Horse was associated with war. With war, comes attributes of victory, conquer, longevity as well as procurement of territory and other spoils that come with triumph in battle.
All of these heady aspects of valor were associated with the Horse in Celt animal symbolism. In fact, so much so, the Celts hailed the Horse as the beast belonging to the sun god, and assigned it a place with the goddess Epona (see Celtic Gods & Goddesses for more information on Epona).
The Greco-Romans also associated the Horse with the spoils of war and attributed it to symbolism such as power, victory, honor, domination and virility. In Greco-Roman myth the Horse is said to be created by Poseidon (Neptune) and is devoted to Hades (Pluto) and Ares (Mars). Romans also believed the Horse to be a symbol of the continuity of life, and would sacrifice a horse to the god Mars every October, keeping its tail through the winter as a sign of fertility and rebirth.
The horse shows both earthly strength and unearthly powers. It is regarded highly throughout the world and connected with the magical powers of shamans. With the help of the horse's speed, a person can cover long distances in a relatively short period of time. The horse has also made transportation of goods a lot easier. It is, therefore, the first and foremost totem animal of civilization. The power of an engine to this day is measured in horsepower. Riding a horse conveys a sense of freedom. It teaches that power cannot be attained by force, but rather that it is given to him who is willing to accept responsibility in a respectful manner. Just as the horse carries its rider on its back, the rider carries responsibility for everything around him. The power of the horse is the wisdom to remember all the steps in one's life and learn from them. This includes experiences from a previous life. Real power is strength used with wisdom. This requires love, compassion, and the willingness to share one's achievements and insights with others. It is important not to let our ego deny us access to this power.
The horse will teach you how to communicate with other realms as well as this one. It is the message carrier.
This creature represents the joy of living and brings with it the ability to see beauty in everything.
Travel, power, spiritual and physical stamina, freedom, persuasiveness, increase clairvoyance, awareness of cooperation and communication abilities, time to move on if you feel stuck, teaches how to go in new directions with freedom and the power to face life and overcoming obstacles with grace. Your journey will take you in new directions. Horse teaches the power to allow and awaken your freedom in movement and will clarify the path in which to take. Do you need to break from current confinements and restrictions? Pay attention to what the individual breed is saying to you.
To see or wear a dress in your dream, represents a feminine outlook or feminine perspective on a situation. You are freely expressing your femininity. If you are a man and dream that you are wearing a dress, suggests that others are questioning your sexuality. Or that you are feeling sexually insecure.
To dream that you are wearing a white dress, implies that you want to appear pure and angelic toward others. Perhaps you are trying to look "innocent". If the dress is another color, look up the specific color for additional significance.
Seeing or wearing a dress in your dream, represents a feminine outlook or feminine perspective on a situation. You are freely expressing your femininity. Dreaming that you are wearing a white dress, suggests that you want to appear pure and angelic toward others.
According to Jung, the hat, since it covers the head, generally takes on the
significance of what goes on inside it: thought. He recalls the German saying ‘to
put all ideas under one hat’, and mentions that in Meyrink’s novel The Golem, the
protagonist thinks the thoughts and undergoes the experiences of another man
whose hat he has put on by mistake (32). Jung also points out that, since the hat
is the ‘crown’ and summit of an individual, it may therefore be said to cover him,
an idea which carries a special symbolic significance. By its shape, the hat may be
invested with specific significance; for example, that of the Minstrel in the Tarot
pack (56). To change one’s hat is equivalent to a change of mind or of ideas. The
choice of a hat—associated with a particular social order—denotes the desire to
be admitted to that set or to partake of its inherent characteristics. There are hats,
like the Phrygian cap, that have a special phallic significance, and others that can
confer invisibility (symbolic of repression).
To see or wear a hat in your dream, indicates that you are hiding an aspect of yourself or that you are covering up something. Alternatively, it represents your attitude or the various roles and responsibilities you have in your waking life.
To dream that you are wearing different hats, symbolize the many different roles you have in your waking life. Perhaps you feel you are stretched too thin and overburdened by daily responsibilities.
To dream that you are changing hats, represent your changing opinions and thoughts.
To dream that you are wearing a top hat, denotes your aspirations for wealth. It is also symbolic of male elegance and formality. If the top hat is knocked off your head, then it suggests a loss in your status of a fear that you will be stripped of your authority.
To dream of losing your hat, you may expect unsatisfactory business and failure of persons to keep important engagements.
For a man to dream that he wears a new hat, predicts change of place and business, which will be very much to his advantage. For a woman to dream that she wears a fine new hat, denotes the attainment of wealth, and she will be the object of much admiration.
For the wind to blow your hat off, denotes sudden changes in affairs, and somewhat for the worse.
Seeing a hat in your dream means that you are concealing something or covering up something. Alternatively, it may represent the role you play or the responsibilities you have in life. Dreaming that you are wearing a top hat indicates your aspirations for wealth. It is also symbolic of male elegance and formality.
To see a bank in your dream, denotes your desires for financial security. The dream may be trying to offer reassurance and that your fears of financial instability are unfounded.
To dream that you are robbing a bank, signifies that you are expending too much energy and are in danger of depleting your inner resources. Alternatively, it indicates that money that is due to you is being delayed.
To see vacant tellers, foretells business losses. Giving out gold money, denotes carelessness; receiving it, great gain and prosperity.
To see silver and bank-notes accumulated, increase of honor and fortune.
You will enjoy the highest respect of all classes.
Dreaming of a bank indicates your desires for financial security. You dream may serve to reassure you that your fears of financial instability are unfounded. Dreaming that you are robbing a bank means that you are expending too much energy and are in danger of depleting your inner resources.
In a cosmic sense, every war concerns the struggle of light against
darkness—of good against evil. In mythology, there are copious examples of such
struggles between the powers of light and the forces of darkness: Jupiter’s combat with the Titans, Thor versus the giants, Gilgamesh and other heroes versus
monsters (4). The particular field of action is symbolic of the plane of reality on
which the action takes place. In Islamic tradition, material war is merely the ‘little holy war’, whereas the ‘great Holy War’ is that which liberates man from the
enemies within. The more just the war, the more faithful the image of it. Guénon
specifically states that the only justification for war is the reducing of multiplicity to unity—disorder to order. In this way, war can be seen as the means of
reinstating the original order, or as a kind of ‘sacrifice’ which echoes the cosmogonic sacrifice. Exactly the same applies to the psychic plane: Man must seek to
achieve inner unity in his actions, in his thoughts, and also between his actions
and his thoughts. Unity of purpose is symbolized by ritual orientation, in which
the terrestrial ‘centres’ (the North star, or the East) become visual images of the
one true ‘Centre’ (25).
To dream of war, foretells unfortunate conditions in business, and much disorder and strife in domestic affairs.
For a young woman to dream that her lover goes to war, denotes that she will hear of something detrimental to her lover's character.
To dream that your country is defeated in war, is a sign that it will suffer revolution of a business and political nature. Personal interest will sustain a blow either way.
If of victory you dream, there will be brisk activity along business lines, and domesticity will be harmonious.
To dream of a war, signifies disorder and chaos in your waking life You are experiencing some internal conflict or emotional struggle which is tearing you up inside. Alternatively, the dream indicates that you are either being overly aggressive or that you are not being assertive enough. Perhaps you need to be prepared to put up a fight in some area of your life. On a more direct level, the dream may be reflection of current wars around the world and your personal feelings about it.
Dreaming of a war means disorder and chaos in your personal affairs. You also be experiencing some internal conflict or emotional struggle. You are feeling torn between aspects of yourself. Perhaps the dream may indicate that you are being overly aggressive or you are not being assertive enough.
Dreaming about a war or a battle suggests that the dreamer has internal conflict. One part of personality or psyche may be battling with another for control and the dream reflects this internal war. Another reason for dreaming about war is that you may be faced with a situation that requires you to be aggressive or assertive and to come to terms with opposition. War veterans and others who have experienced war first hand may, from time to time, have such dreams based on memory and trauma.
To dream that you are running about wild, foretells that you will sustain a serious fall or accident.
To see others doing so, denotes unfavorable prospects will cause you worry and excitement.
To see something wild in your dream, represents the uninhibited and animalistic aspect of your personality. In dreams, you feel freer to behave in a way that you normally would not in your waking life.
To see or wear leather in your dream, represents toughness and ruggedness. It may imply your thick-skinned nature. Or perhaps you are seeking protection from the elements. Alternatively, the dream refers to your instinctual and animalistic nature. It may also have sexual connotations.
To dream of leather, denotes successful business and favorable engagements with women. You will go into lucky speculations if you dream that you are dressed in leather.
Ornaments of leather, denotes faithfulness in love and to the home.
Piles of leather, denotes fortune and happiness.
To deal in leather, signifies no change in the disposition of your engagements is necessary for successful accumulation of wealth.
Seeing or wearing leather in your dream, represents toughness and ruggedness. It also refers to your instinctual and animalistic nature.
To see or dream that you are wearing boots, refers to the power in your movement and the boldness of your position. You are taking a firm stance. The dream may also be a metaphor that you are getting the boot. Are you getting kicked out somewhere?
To see your boots on another, your place will be usurped in the affections of your sweetheart.
To wear new boots, you will be lucky in your dealings.
Bread winners will command higher wages.
Old and torn boots, indicate sickness and snares before you.