Odin's Sleipnir: Exploring Eight-Legged Horses in Shamanic Cultures: In Norse and Beyond
In the rich tapestry of shamanic mythology across certain shamanic cultures, one intriguing motif that appears in various forms is the notion of the eight-legged horse. Among these mystical and mythical creatures, one of the most famous and well-known horse is Sleipnir. This is the eight legged horse of the God Odin in Norse mythology. Let's delve into the fascinating world of eight-legged horses and explore their significance in different shamanic cultures and traditions.
Sleipnir: The Norse World Tree Rider
In Norse mythology, the God Odin, is considered the Allfather. Odin has a remarkable horse whose name is Sleipnir. Sleipnir is unique because it has eight legs, making it the fastest running and most agile of all the horses. The origin of Sleipnir is fascinating because Loki, the trickster god transformed himself into a mare and then mated with the stallion called Svadilfari.
Sleipnir is considered a mode of transportation for Odin which symbolizes transcendence and connection. Sleipnir has a magical ability to traverse all the spiritual realms, including the underworld and the celestial domains. Sleipnir reflects Odin's role as a shamanic figure who journeys between the spiritual worlds in order to obtain wisdom and higher knowledge. Sleipnir's eight legs are symbolic of the eight directions of the compass enabling this special horse to navigate all directions and then to come back home again.
Comparing Eight Legged Horses Across Other Shamanic Cultures
Even though Sleipnir is an iconic eight legged horse in Norse mythology, similar horses of eight-leggs appear in other shamanic cultures, each having its own symbolism and special meaning:
1. Turkic-Mongolic Cultures: In Turkic and Mongolic shamanism, the eight-legged horse is called Bayan Kara Ulaan. It symbolizes the shaman's ability to traverse the spiritual realms and to connect with honoured ancestral spirits.
2. Siberian Shamanism: For the indigenous peoples living in Siberia, the eight-legged horse symbolizes the shaman's ability to go beyond earthly limitations so that the shaman can travel between the spiritual realms during high states of ecstasy, in shamanic journeying or to partake in spirit quests.
3. Buryat Shamanism: For the Buryat shamans,, the eight-legged horse, called Sargal Noyon Khan, is considered to be a divine messenger that helps shamans to perform healing sessions for people and divination. This horse symbolizes swiftness, strength, courage and spiritual power.
4. Altaic Shamanism: For the Altaic people: Tuvans and Kazakhs, the eight-legged horse is considered to be a highly sacred and mythical animal that assists shamans in sacred ceremonial rituals and spiritual inquires.
Shamanic Symbolism and Meaning For The Eight-Legged Horse
The common theme in these various shamanic traditions is the symbolic significance of the eight-legged horse as a mediator between the earthly realm and the spiritual worlds that lie beyond the veil. These horses are considered to have transcendent abilities to aid the shaman in spiritual journeying. Shamans work with these horses because they act as an intermediary between humans and the divine.
The eight legs of these mystical horses are often associated with the cardinal and ordinal directions, symbolizing wholeness, completeness, and harmony in navigating the multidimensional spiritual worlds of the cosmos. They embody the shaman's journeying ability,, knowledge, and capacity to bridge the mundane world and the spiritual worlds in healing sessions for individuals and rituals/ceremonial.