General Robert E. Lee rides into view, coming to reclaim his horse that was taken as spoils of war three years ago. everything is grey and his horse is a large silver roan or dapple grey.
When I woke from this dream it felt surreal, like I really was visited by a piece of history. There was also a sense of devotion, a love that transcends the boundaries of time and space. I was compelled to unearth the nature of the uncommon bond that revealed itself in my dream.
A quick search led me to Wikipedia where I learned that General Robert E. Lee was the son of Revolutionary War officer Henry “Light Horse Henry” Lee III. This synchronicity was like a breadcrumb, a clue that I was on the right track. A few more clicks and I was at Stratford Hall, the home of the Lees of Virginia.
While General Lee had several horses, his favorite was an iron grey American Saddlebred named Traveller.
“The best description of Traveller was Lee’s own, which he wrote in response to Mrs. Lee’s cousin Markie Williams, who wished to paint a portrait of Traveller:
If I was an artist like you, I would draw a true picture of Traveller; representing his fine proportions, muscular figure, deep chest, short back, strong haunches, flat legs, small head, broad forehead, delicate ears, quick eye, small feet, and black mane and tail. Such a picture would inspire a poet, whose genius could then depict his worth, and describe his endurance of toil, hunger, thirst, heat and cold; and the dangers and suffering through which he has passed. He could dilate upon his sagacity and affection, and his invarible response to every wish of his rider. He might even imagine his thoughts through the long night-marches and days of the battle through which he has passed. But I am no artist Markie, and can therefore only say he is a Confederate grey.”
Why did this dream visit me on this day? I too have a great love for a horse who bore me through the trials of my tumultuous early years. He was and remains my confidant, a guiding spirit who continues to emerge from the mists leading me to take the next step even when I cannot see where my foot will fall. He places books in my path, whispers movies to watch, leads me to mentors from all walks of life who forever change the way I experience this waking dream. This dream came to me because I have lived it and continue to encounter its presence in the fabric of my experiences. Thank you, more of this please.
Heather Bickel, an “uplifter” at heart, is a certified dream teacher, a graduate of Epona Ridge, trained in the art of Facilitated Experiential Learning with humans and horses, and certified in Second Degree Reiki healing.
Heather comes from the corporate world, and followed her desire to empower people to learn to listen to their own wisdom and let it guide them to greater levels of creativity, joy, and inspiration.
Heather helps those around her through providing coaching and facilitation for individuals and diverse audiences in a variety of settings.
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