galumphing with the Fire Horse

Welcome to the year of the Fire Horse!

This powerhouse has much in store for us.

When I picture a Fire Horse, I see an image of a majestic stallion galloping along the horizon. Sparks fly where its hooves strike the ground. Its heart burns with passion as it charges relentlessly forward.

It’s a horse on fire: Exciting! And Intimidating!

As is the year ahead…

So, good to remember: Even the biggest herd of horse power starts with a cheerful bunch of foals, horsing around!

photo by Angelina Castellini

I took this picture while on a walk through the countryside. Seeing these two kids have fun together made me incredibly happy. They were prancing and skipping in the sunshine.

Playing free and wild.

Galumphing.

Stephen Nachmanovitch wrote of galumphing in his book Free Play:

“We galumph when we hop instead of walk, when we take the scenic route instead of the efficient one, when we play a game whose rules demand a limitation of our powers, when we are interested in means rather than in ends.”

“In play, animals, people, or whole societies get to experiment with all sorts of combinations and permutations of body forms, social forms, thought forms, images, and rules that would not be possible in a world that functions on immediate survival values.

A creature that plays is more readily adaptable to changing contexts and conditions. Play as free improvisation sharpens our capacity to deal with a changing world.”

The symbolism of the Zodiac is a playful way of comprehending cycles and change within our lives. Not as prediction, but as a colourful exploration of what might seem like opposing forces.

Inspired by the Horse, we can navigate polarities such as freedom ∞ structure, wild ∞ tame, explore ∞ advance.

All familiar terms of improvisation.

And storytelling.

___---------------------___

What a bridge!

___---------------------___

Let us cross it as I invite you once more to our upcoming Living Stories course :-)

Our first cohort completed this chapter just last week. We had a wonderful time together and I will share reflections and gratitude with you soon.

It is my hope that the Fire Horse will help me carry this project far and wide this year! I’ll put my faith in the strength of the herd to help me spread the word.

Should you have any questions or ideas about participating, please get in touch!

Looking forward with curiosity, dedication and full of love.

artwork by Inge Castellini