Fire Horse Moves Onward

Have you ever seen a horse go from standing still, to a full gallop?  Can you picture in your mind how they devote their whole body to overcoming their inertia, pumping their head forward with determination?

As the Chinese New Year arrives, marking a transition from the year of the Wood Snake to the year of the Fire Horse, the image of a bright red horse with a mane of dancing flames launching into a gallop plays in my mind.  This gusto for beginning is the spirit I wish to channel in this new lunar year.

Last year, I completed my own personal spin on an ancient Japanese practice called “Senbazuru,” in which one thousand origami cranes are folded within one year in order to grant a wish, or summon good fortune.  I folded dragons instead of cranes, and I wished for “Courageous Curiosity.” The final dragon came together in the presence of my church community, which you can see here.

I have chosen to take up this origami practice once again, but instead of folding dragons, I am folding horses, and instead of making a wish, I am writing the following haiku on each slip of paper:

With boldness, courage,
Discipline, initiative,
Fire Horse moves onward.

This will be the mantra I play in my head this year, as I ride the Fire Horse toward my aspirations.  The Wood Snake asked us to shed what no longer aligns with our higher selves, and the Fire Horse invites us to charge forward into our new becoming.  

What did you shed last year?  

What are you marching towards?