Freedom
Unicorns are paragons of freedom. Not only are they experts at staying free from traps of all varieties, they make it their mission to free any trapped being they may encounter, whether the trap is physical, mental, or emotional.
In fact, they are elusive for this very reason: their ability to move in and out of the physical form at will allows them to stay free from anyone who might wish to capture them. It also allows them to free wild animals from traps, birds from cages, and pets from unhappy homes. Additionally, they use their so-called “imaginary” status to flow in and out of the environments of children in harsh, abusive, and violent situations in order to bring them much-needed joy and sow the seeds of their future freedom.
You can learn from the stubborn freedom of these pure and regal animals to liberate yourself from limitations and traps of all varieties. You can also call on their energy and spiritual support in order to break old bonds, bust through old blocks, and establish glorious freedom in every area of your life.
Never Captured
Each time life presents you with a challenge or choice, your path takes a turn according to your actions and decisions. The unicorn reminds you that if you want to live the life of your dreams, you must do your best to avoid taking turns that will lead you into traps. Your activated intuition will help prevent this. It will allow you to look forward at each fork in the road and take the path that leads to a vision of you as wild, joyful, and free.
Be aware that your family and culture may try to trick you into taking a path that will end up as a trap: a huge student loan burden, for example, or a job you don’t love or a house that ties you to a region where you’d rather not live.
Traps sometimes exist purely in our minds, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t traps. For example, thought patterns that tie us to a negative self-image are traps, as are habits of criticizing ourselves and expectations that we will fail.
Any time you find yourself saying, “My heart of hearts doesn’t want to do this or to be in this situation, but I must” or “I really wish I could change this, but I can’t,” you are seemingly mired in something that isn’t in authentic alignment with you. But you needn’t be. You have the ability to free yourself. Maybe it will be challenging to free yourself from whatever seems to be currently trapping you. Maybe it will mean making a painful choice, maybe it will require meticulous discipline, or maybe it will take longer than you’d prefer. On the other hand, it could be something as simple and as instant as a shift in perspective. Regardless of the details, as an ally of the unicorn realm, it is absolutely in your power to be free.
Before we move on, grab your journal and make a list of every trap you seem to be in at this moment. Big, little, inner, or outer, write it down.
I feel trapped because I can’t stop thinking negative thoughts about my body. I don’t want to be in this school. I have to go to work even though I don’t like it. I have to call my mom every week so she won’t worry, but I wish I didn’t have to.
Now, with each one, ask yourself: Do I really have to be in this trap? Inwardly investigate and see if you can find a possible way out, even if you’re not ready to commit to it yet. For now, just look for possibilities. For example:
I could choose to stop thinking negative thoughts about my body and establish a new habit of loving the way I look. Maybe I can change schools or take a year off. Can I find a way to love going to work? If not, I could find a different job. Maybe I can talk to my mom about calling her less frequently. Even if that’s not okay with her, it’s my life; I can make the choice to call her once a month instead or send her a text instead of calling.
Next, make a decision for each one. You have two main choices: you can change the condition or situation, or you can leave it how it is. If you choose to leave it how it is, however, you will still be changing it by acknowledging that it’s not actually a trap, it’s a choice. In other words, if you choose it, it’s not a cage. It’s not beyond your control. As such, reframe the statement to say, “I am choosing to stay in this school.” Then add why you are choosing it: “I’m choosing to stay in this school because it will create greater freedom for me in the future, in a way I want to be free.” Or, “I am choosing to call my mom once a week. I am choosing to do so because I know I will feel better when I do.”
Happy in Your Skin
Feeling secure on a deep level is a prerequisite to feeling truly free. When we have a sense that we are enough as we are and that it is safe to be in our skin, we are able to live in alignment with our dreams and boldly step in the direction of our desires. While you will, of course, still feel vulnerable at times (such as when you meet new people or try something that’s outside your comfort zone), you will also have an abiding sense of self-love and a profound inner knowing that, at the deepest level, you are safe.
Lucky for us, if we ask, our unicorn friends will protect us with great integrity and devotion, and cocoon us in a warm sense that we are safe and all is well. If something is off in any situation or relationship (provided you remember to listen to your intuition), you can trust that one or more of your unicorn allies will alert you, while giving you the time and insight that will allow you to protect your sense of confidence and calm.