The other morning I was doing my daily chores when I noticed a “fairy knot” in one of my horse’s manes. Of course, he was completely oblivious to it. As I looked more closely I realized this one was locked up pretty efficiently. Such locks or tangles, also known as “fairy knots”, are common occurrences in horses, especially in our precious and endangered wild ones (as seen in the photo). They are typically caused by things like wind and rain or when hay, sticks or mud get intertwined in strands of hair.  The knots usually appear out of nowhere and can be quite challenging to untangle. Interestingly, I wasn’t annoyed or put out by this coif calamity but rather warmed by it.

Familiar with the ancient legend that these enchanted knots are actually created by fairies or angels visiting with horses at night, I felt comforted that this horse may have received some otherworldly visit during the evening hours. You see this particular horse was being treated for a rather stubborn hoof abscess that left him less mobile than the rest of the herd, and quite often alone in the barn as the the others left him to meander the fields. I took solace in the idea that this horse may have had some spirited company and support while he convalesced. I found myself smiling as I reflected on the reality that out of our five horses, this was the one in most need of some companionship and/or angelic healing during the night and this was the one (and only one) with such a tell-tale sign of a possible encounter. Now, the scientist- researcher in me cringed at the gullibility and naiveté involved in entertaining such a thing (never mind sharing it publicly!) but the psychologist in me thought, “Why not? Aren’t we all in need of more magic, positivity and Faith these days?”

There is no way to prove the genesis of any singular fairy knot without some serious high resolution night cams and 24/7 surveillance footage. In the absence of such “certainty” however, there avails an opportunity to circumvent banal logic and statistical probabilities. In the void, one gets to ascribe a personal meaning or significance; perhaps one even rooted in a little Faith. As I contemplated this fairy knot caper further, convening all the skeptics and believers in my mind, I came to a very important query, “ Why not choose the belief that has the most positive impact on your brain and your sense of well-being?”



Research has repeatedly shown that people of faith report feeling better and healthier. Faith is often defined as a belief that goes beyond logical reasoning and extends into the realm of hope, trust, and meaning. In the field of positive psychology, Faith is closely linked with optimism and hope, and has been found to contribute to mental well-being by fostering a positive outlook on life. Tanya Luhrmann, a Stanford anthropologist found that individuals of faith are “able to attend differently to their thoughts, feel calmer and more beloved,”
Research has shown that people who are inspired by faith are more likely to act morally, pro-socially, and to persist in times of adversity. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that faith and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping skills, and health-related quality of life as well as less anxiety, depression, and suicide. This is likely due to the fact that experiences of Faith are often accompanied by strong feelings like hope, love, awe and gratitude; all of which release neurochemicals in the body that promote calmness, well-being, and a sense of being a part of something bigger than oneself.

Even as I write this blog, there is a levity of spirit accompanied by a mischievous giggle when I think of fairies and angels consorting with my horses in the dark of the night. I am not sure if this reaction is rooted in some remembrance of or connection to my ancestral Celtic roots or just simply from the silly visual this idea conjures up in my mind’s eye. Without a doubt though, the entire mental and somatic experience combined creates an inner atmosphere conducive to high inner coherence (Heartmath®), hormonal balance and overall well-being. The next time you find yourself at one of these critical junctures where you get to actually decide what you will believe about a circumstance, event or person, I encourage you take a chance and apply a little FAITH to nurture your own sense of connection, purpose, and peace.

Photo credit: Darlene Smith, “Fairy Knot”