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by Tess Whitehurst

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Unicorns are not what they seem.

On the surface level, in mainstream modern culture, unicorns are all but synonymous with fluffiness and frivolity, in the form of fancy birthday cakes, festive makeup tutorials, and fussy nail art. But, dig just a tiny bit deeper, and you will discover ancient spiritual traditions from both east and west, steeped in spiritual significance that is venerable, varied, and vast.

Here are seven of the most pronounced mystical meanings of this wise and elusive creature who has managed to remain prominent in human consciousness in multiple cultures and continents for thousands of years.

1. Wonder
   It's difficult to imagine a clearer and more obvious symbol of wonder than the unicorn. The very thought of them can transport so many of us to the realm of child-like delight and awe at the relentlessly unknowable nature of time and existence. And as jaded as mainstream culture implies we should be, the fact remains that jadedness is in no way a rational response to the exquisite beauty of life: such as the beauty we witness when we feel love in our hearts, gaze at a bright blue sky, or catch the glimmer of sunlight sparkling on waves.
2. Alchemy
   Like the phoenix and the butterfly, with whom the unicorn's symbolism is traditionally wed, the unicorn represents the transformation that occurs within us when we open ourselves up to spiritual wisdom and power. Just as sunlight and rain combine to create the harmoniously balanced spectrum of color we call a rainbow, unicorns are highly attuned to the kaleidoscopic, intricate interactions of seen and unseen, known and unknown, day and night, yang and yin, the five elements, and the three realms of earth, sky, and sea. By the same token, within our consciousness, the unicorn dissolves the illusory appearance of the mundane world and reassembles it into the truer and more authentic experience of magic.
3. Purity
   It is said that only those who are pure of heart can see unicorns: they will only appear to those with the noblest of intentions. It has also been traditionally believed that a unicorn horn can transform anything toxic—even an entire swamp—into water that is sweet, crystal clear, and perfectly pure. Another legend states that as long as there is one single living human with the passionate desire to love and serve all of life, somewhere deep in the forest there is a unicorn who runs wild and free. Clearly, there is a reason the unicorn is appealing to so many of us at this time in history, when world peace is so desperately desired and purity of our oceans, forests, and air is of such dire importance to the survival of our species and planet. And on the personal level, when you close your eyes, call up the inner vision of a unicorn, and breathe deeply, you will likely feel your personal energy become purer, cleaner, and brighter.
4. Healing
   Considering the three specialties of the unicorn we have already discussed, unicorns are clearly aligned with healing: not only of mind, body, and spirit, but also of earth, ocean, and air. When we are drawn to the unicorn, it's likely a natural response to being in need of some form of healing. For example, in Treasures of the Unicorn, Ted Andrews writes, "At a recent conference, I was approached by a social worker who had spent great amounts of time in homes serving as a court representative for abused children. She mentioned finding paintings and figurines of unicorns in many of the homes...Since the unicorn is the most gentle, loving, and healing of all creatures, maybe its essence is required to restore such a loss of innocence and to stimulate a new birth." In mythology of both east and west, the unicorn was considered a master healer. The popularity of unicorns at this time coincides with a collective need to heal trauma on both personal and planetary levels.
5. Natural Power
   You might say the fairy realm is the conscious presence and aliveness of the natural world. And the unicorns are among the rarest, most magical, and most sophisticated denizens of this realm. They are traditionally aligned with the forest, as well as the healing power and wisdom inherent in crystals, herbs, flowers, trees, and animals. When the unicorn calls to you, you can inwardly connect with unicorn consciousness in order to gain mastery in working with the gifts of nature to create positive change in your life. Some of the crystals particularly associated with unicorns include amethyst, apophyllite, moonstone, and spirit quartz. Unicorns are especially aligned with certain herbs and plants, such as cinnamon, lilac, apple, water lily, holly, and clover. There are also a number of animals who have a special affinity for the unicorn, like bluebirds, deer, dragonflies, hummingbirds, and swans.
6. Courage
   Everyone knows unicorns are sweet, pure, and filled with light. But they are not doormats! In fact, they can be quite fierce and fearsome when the situation calls for it. After all, as sparkly as they may be, unicorn horns are not merely for decoration: they are sharp weapons that can be used to defend all that is loving, peaceful, and pure of heart. Again, this mirrors the need at this time in human history to channel our loving desire for peace and the planet into bold and decisive action. Indeed, when we truly connect with unicorn energy, we become inspired to move out of our comfort zone in order to help our fellow earthlings and environment.
7. Freedom
   It is said that while unicorns can occasionally be killed, they can never captured. They far prefer death to imprisonment. This makes them powerful symbols of freedom. Admittedly, traps sometimes exist purely in our minds. But, like unicorns themselves, this doesn't make them any less real. For example, when a thought pattern ties us to a negative self-image, that is a trap. So is a habit of criticizing yourself, or an expectation that you will fail. But just as you contribute to holding these traps in place, you also hold the key to liberation. Aligning with the unicorn archetype helps us to liberate ourselves from limitations and traps of all varieties. We can call upon their image and energy to break old bonds, bust through old blocks, and generally establish a sense of freedom in every area of life.

Clearly, unicorns are good medicine, and there is a reason why they're so prominent in our cultural consciousness at this time. Feeling drawn to unicorns indicates a natural desire to heal both ourselves and our world, and to restore our beloved planet to its natural state of wholeness, harmony, and well-being.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2019. All rights reserved.

I have been having strange experiences in my apartment. In fact, I've had some ghost hunters and two pastors out to visit me. It all began when I attended the funeral of my husband's friend who committed suicide. Since then, I've been hearing things like Talk! Can you hear me? Hey! and a lot of other things. I hear this audibly. I'm wondering if I have some sort of gift because I can sense spirits; I seem to be clairaudient because I can clearly hear them talking to me. They also send images into my head. I'm not mentally ill. I don't feel afraid of these spirits but I'm not sure what to do about all of this.

Tara

Susyn:

It appears your friendís husband has awakened an important gift within you. Because he sensed your ability to hear and sense spirits, he has chosen you as his medium to connect with people on the physical plane. Now that he knows he can actually get through to you, you will become quite popular in the spirit world as other souls attempt to communicate through you as well.

These spirits mean you no harm; they are simply excited to be able to communicate. It's as if they have discovered a telephone they can use to call the other side. As the operator connecting these calls, your challenge will be to set good boundaries with these spirits and ask them to be more direct.

When I first began to channel, I experienced similar confusion. I was forever wondering who was talking to me, who were they trying to reach, and how I could help. You must ask these spirits to be direct.

It would also be helpful to ask them to find a way to connect with you one at a time. I have a client who has many loved ones and spirit guides on the other side. Each time we do a reading, they all gather and begin trying to talk at once. I often have to stop and direct them to take a number. Then I ask them to identify themselves and present their messages one at a time.

When you start to hear these voices, ask them to identify themselves, and then ask them how you can help. Let's take for example your friendís husband talking with you. It's likely that he is trying to get a message to someone. You may wonder why he doesnít talk directly to them, but we must keep in mind that anyone who is grieving will have a very difficult time hearing him and trusting that he is actually speaking to them. In my first channeling experience, the spirit who came to me was the partner of one of my best friends; he figured the best way to let my friend know he was fine was through me.

As you develop this gift and create boundaries around when you are open to using it, you'll become more comfortable with channeling. I've found that one of the best ways to encourage and direct these clairaudient sessions is via the use of Tarot, for Tarot cards can open up a connection to other realms, confirm the messages we receive, and identify their sources.

You may want to perform a reading with the person who was closest to this man if they are open to it. Call him in and see what messages you get. This will affirm your gift and build trust in your perceptions, and may even encourage a new career. Once others discover you have this gift (just as the spirits have), they will seek you out in hopes of connecting with their loved ones.

*****

If I am understanding you correctly, you have always had the ability to sense spirits, and it is this auditory phenomena that is new.

What you're describing here actually happens quite often. When someone who is psychically sensitive or a natural medium encounters an earthbound spirit, and that spirit both senses that this person can perceive them and may be able to help them in some way, the spirit will start to make a great effort to get that natural medium's attention.

Spirit once explained to me that mediums have a special light or glow around them when viewed from the other side, and because of this, they become like beacons for lost spirits. This man had to be very lost in darkness to take his own life. Unfortunately, that darkness doesn't disappear when we leave this world; we carry the state of our minds, hearts and souls over.

For this reason, this man is probably earthbound and doesn't know what to do next. When you attended his funeral, he no doubt noticed that special glow around you and sensed that you may be able to perceive him. I'm sure he can also sense that you are aware of all his efforts, and thus he is continuing to do whatever he can to get you to respond to him.

It may be that he wants you to communicate something to someone living who can't perceive him as you can. It may also be that he simply doesn't know what to do or where to go next.

It is amazing to me how many people experience clairaudient phenomena like you describe yet never think to engage whoever is speaking to them in an actual conversation. So far, you've been a passive receiver of his attempts to communicate with you; now it's time to start talking back and asking him questions so you can figure out what he wants.

Usually people who commit suicide immediately realize that they've made a terrible mistake. Because they are so heavy with remorse and because their loved ones are in so much pain, these spirits tend to linger close to those who are grieving for them. Most of the time, these spirits want more than anything to apologize for committing suicide and let their loved ones know that they are in no way responsible for this. Only after these messages have been delivered and their loved ones are on their way to healing from this tragedy do these spirits feel free to move on.

Other spirits are simply fumbling around in the dark when they are drawn to the light of spiritual people who may be able to help them. If this is the case, you might study up on how to help spirits cross over. Also, pray for this man daily by visualizing him turning toward the light and divine helpers guiding him onward.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.