"Arion’s Protégé" - A Soul Contract with Mystico
- Kim McElroy
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Understanding Soul Contracts: Connections Beyond This Life
Many spiritual traditions and philosophies hold the belief that we enter into soul contracts with other beings—agreements made before birth to share experiences, lessons, and growth. These connections shape our lives in meaningful ways, often in ways that defy rational explanation. Through my journey, I've come to see how these soul contracts manifest not only in relationships but also through the creative expression of art.
The Origin of "Mystic": A Prophetic Creation
In 1988, I created a pastel of an imaginary horse, which I named "Mystic." At the time, I thought of it as an artistic exploration, capturing the essence and spirit of a horse that emerged from the colors and strokes of my pastels. Yet the horse’s coloring, presence, and especially the guarded look in his eye seemed to speak to a deeper narrative..
A Meeting Beyond Coincidence: Encountering Mystico
In 2002, I met a dark grey Paso Fino stallion at a show and auction in Georgia. He had already gained a reputation in the barn as being potentially dangerous. When I approached his stall, he looked at me out of the corner of his eye, and I was shocked by the sudden recognition, for he looked just like a painting I had created fourteen years before. When he felt somewhat safer, he approached me, sniffed my open hand, and leaned against the bars of the stall as if asking for help.
His coloring and presence mirrored that of the horse in my painting. His guarded look, so familiar from the artwork, felt like a bridge between worlds. I believed my art was a prophetic sign. This encounter wasn't just chance; it was a soul contract coming into full view. The encounter felt prophetic, as if I had known we would find each other in this world.
Recognizing the significance of this meeting gave me the courage and determination to help Mystico escape his unhappy circumstances. The connection I'd sensed through my art fueled a profound bond and sense of responsibility. Renaming him with the Spanish word for mystic, "Mystico," was in honor of the spiritual promises embedded in our paths.
Embracing Mystico: Honoring the Soul Contract
Mystico was born with fantastic bloodlines, but that didn’t mean the people who owned him were tender with his upbringing. They weaned him at three months old, and he was isolated by himself for four years in a stall without any companions. He had no say. Over time, his isolation and the rough handling by the trainer that broke him caused his loving nature to be buried beneath layers of fear and resentment. As he matured into a stallion, these emotions became dangerous.
In 2017, I wrote a 9-part blog series about the story of when I found Mystico and the story of his journey home. Readers followed along each week, expressing how they resonated emotionally with the challenges we faced and sympathizing with what I went through in learning to navigate the human dynamics that thwarted my attempts to rehabilitate a stallion considered unruly and unmanageable.
Life Lessons: Giving Mystico a Voice
For Mystico to find his voice, I had to learn to find my voice on his behalf. To stand up to “knowledgeable” horse people and trainers who reduced him to a series of behaviors, saying he was a rogue. Instead, he was one of the sweetest and most sensitive horses I’ve ever known. In his elder years, he continued to teach me to advocate for his well-being and stand up to medical authorities who disagreed with my holistic approach to his care.
Throughout his life, Mystico taught me to trust my intuition and speak the truth. I felt called to rise to this challenge because I was the only voice he had. In our life together, he not only had a voice, but he also had a choice.
From Art to Oracle: Mystico's Lessons in The Council of Horses Oracle
In Greek mythology, the immortal horse Arion, was the only horse ever given the power of speech. For all these reasons, Mystico was the perfect horse to represent "Arion’s Protégé" theme for The Council of Horses Oracle. His guidance inspired me to write and paint his essence for the card deck.
Even though Arion was born with the ability to speak, he had to develop his voice. Being heard doesn’t mean that others will always see your point of view; it means you have listened to yourself and acted on your convictions. Be a rogue like me and be proud of it."
"Arion’s Protégé" The Council of Horses Oracle, by Sandra Wallin and Kim McElroy, Inner Traditions/Bear & Company, 2024, pp. 51-52
I had always wanted to recreate the painting "Mystic" as a portrait of Mystico. It was important to me to retain the original vision and feelings. Fortunately, I had many pictures of Mystico from when I first met him, one of which has the same look in his eye.
I had the art printed on watercolor paper, and using reference photos of Mystico, I reinterpreted his likeness in a pastel drawing over the print, using the art of "Mystic" as an underlayment. It was an intriguing experience to touch the pastel strokes I had drawn 35 years before. I drew the details of his slate grey coat and wayward mane.
I kept the expression of the eye as it was, for it was the look he had given me from the corner of his tiny stall at the auction. In that glance was defiance and resilience, along with a glimmer of hope. It was Mystico's soul inspiring me, long before he was born.
How Art Reflects and Honors Our Soul Journeys
These experiences have taught me that art is more than visual expression—it’s a sacred language that can reveal and honor our soul contracts. When we engage with creativity, we open a channel for the spiritual messages, healing, and empowerment that transcend ordinary life.
Our lives are intertwined with others through these invisible yet powerful contracts, and sometimes, art becomes the key to recognizing and honoring them. Whether through a painting, music, or any creative form, these expressions can guide us, inspire us, and deepen our understanding of the souls that share our lives. Mystico’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when art and soul converge—a reminder to stay open to the signs and stories that shape our shared journeys.
If you feel inspired by Mystico’s tale, explore The Council of Horses Oracle deck. Each work of art and the accompanying guidebook is written directly in “first horse” perspective, sharing insights, wisdom, and sometimes challenging truths, allowing the voices of horses to be heard.
Oh wow...... I'm beginning to learn about these connections. Thanks for this post, Kim. ❤️