The Fear of Unicorns

The unknown is scary. People like the familiar. Things we don’t understand are quickly dismissed or scorned. I work with horses because I love learning. There is no end to what to learn about the four-legged ones. They are fabulous teachers and so patient with us slow minded humans.

My friend Veronica asked me to help with her horses. I have been giving her two mares massages and sound therapy for several months. I am grateful to Veronica for giving me this opportunity. She is open minded and curious about this type of energy work with horses. And thanks to her, it is paying off with her horses!

She made a decision to explore something that she did not fully understand. Sound therapy and Tuina massage (Chinese energy massage) are ancient practices. Somewhere along the journey, we forgot about these practices. They are available but hard to find. The body is much more complex than just the physical. Don’t get me wrong! Body massage is excellent. But there is so much more!

Traditional Chinese medicine describes the human (and horse) body as a complex system of interconnected organs and energy pathways. The human body is believed to be made up of five major organs (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) and six minor organs (gallbladder, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, and triple burner). These organs are connected through a network of meridians or energy pathways through which Chi or Qi (vital energy) flows.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the body is viewed as a microcosm of the universe, with the balance and harmony of yin and yang energies essential for maintaining health. Imbalances in these energies are believed to cause illness and disease. The goal of Chinese medicine is to restore the balance of yin and yang and promote the free flow of Chi to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Tuina massage and sound therapy uses the Traditional Chinese Medical theory of channels and collaterals (meridians or pathways) and the flow of the Chi energy as the foundation for healing. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques, Tuina seeks to establish a more harmonious Chi energy through the system of channels and collaterals, allowing the body to naturally heal itself. Horses are much more skilled than humans with their receptivity of Chi.

One of my favorite comedians is Dave Chappelle. In his stand up, he comments, “they use the TV to program us from a young age. I turn on Sesame Street and think my child will learn how to count and spell. It teaches kids other things. It teaches kids how to judge people and label people. There is a character there named Oscar. They treat this guy like shit the entire show. They judge him right in his face. Yeah Oscar you're a grouch!  And Oscar responds, “***** I live in a trash can. I am the poorest **** on Sesame Street!”

How do we judge Unicorns?

Unicorns are mythical creatures. However, if we were to speculate, unicorns may fear threats to their safety such as predators or hunters, being separated from their herd, or being trapped or captured by humans. Additionally, unicorns may fear losing their magical abilities or being unable to protect themselves or others. Ultimately, their fears would likely center around anything that could harm or endanger them in some way.

They have the same fears as us humans yet we judge them as different. We, too, fear threats to our safety, may it be driving a car on the highway, financial security, at a job or in a relationship. 

Unicorns, and things unfamiliar to us, such as sound therapy can offer an alternative to the typical narrative that “we are all screwed.” 

We are not screwed. Go ask a Unicorn, Oscar the Grouch or Daisy the Horse. There is an unfamiliar world waiting for us patiently. It takes courage and willingness to explore the unknown.

Camron Adibi is a horseman, PATH Therapeutic Horse Riding Instructor and autism coach who holds a master’s degree in education. He offers equine assisted therapy and Chi Equine Massage. He has a mission to improve horse and human connections through education and storytelling.