Phantom Felines And Other Ghostly Animals - Gerina Dunwich 2006

A Horse Spirit Encounter
Other Ghostly Animals

by Eyramon (as told to Tony Mierzwicki)

In Australia’s old Colonial Days, nearly two hundred years ago, the white settlers introduced horses, some of which were released into the wild. These horses, known as “brumbies,” became an integral part of Australian mythology and were widely employed by stockmen and troopers of the Australian light horse regiments. Brumbies were praised by numerous Australian writers for their stamina, intelligence, agility, and endurance. They were glorified in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympic games held in Sydney.

Three months after the Olympics, the New South Wales government sanctioned the culling of brumbies in the Guy Fawkes River National Park in the northern tablelands of NSW. The culling took place using automatic weapons from helicopters. Following worldwide condemnation of the culling, some of the surviving brumbies were rounded up.

One property in the vicinity of the National Park became the home for a “mob” (herd) of brumbies. The mob consisted of a bay lead stallion, other stallions, and a large group of mares, foals, and yearlings. The property owner tried in vain to control the lead stallion. After a year, the exasperated property owner gave up and had the lead stallion shot.

Two and a half months after the shooting, I was taken to the vicinity of the lead stallion’s resting place in order to lay his spirit to rest. I was drawn unerringly to the scene of the killing, near the head of the valley. All that remained after exposure to the elements were the lead stallion’s bones, as well as some mane and tail hair. I had felt his presence from the moment I started up the valley.

The presence grew stronger the closer I approached, culminating in an overwhelming feeling when I at last reached his remains. I reached down to pick up his skull. One of the teeth in the lower right mandible (jawbone) was loose in its socket. As I pulled it free, I felt an overpowering surge of energy enter me. I became possessed of the lead stallion’s essence to the exclusion of my own personality. I then picked up some of his tail hair.

Holding the tooth and tail hairs, I attempted to release the lead stallion’s spirit into the Summerland (afterlife), but he would not go. I was one with him and felt a part of me fly with him like Pegasus high over the earth that had borne us both. The remaining part of me remained grounded by his bones. I somehow finished the ritual and felt his gratitude. But, I was still possessed by his overwhelming presence.

I made my way back from the valley and approached the homestead, around which were small paddocks containing about thirty brumbies. As I approached they came up to me, sensing their leader’s presence. A couple nuzzled my hand, which held the tooth and tail hair. They followed me along the fence. These horses were wild and had not been handled.

The owner came out of the homestead and hugged me, as if to convey his guilt for having had the lead stallion shot. The woman who had actually shot him scuttled rat-like across my path, and appeared to be an empty shell.

For me, this event marked the culmination of my spiritual path in this lifetime. The spirit of the lead stallion had merged with mine. My own horses and dogs acknowledge this, while wild creatures have no fear of me. I feel I have been transformed and am aware of the immortality of my essence. My experience was one of nirvana leading to a detached contentment I had never known before.