Bear Medicine
Bears symbolize introspection and intuition blended with instinct. To both European and Native American Shamanic people, Bear symbolizes awakening the strong force of the unconscious. The strength of bear medicine is the power to restore harmony and balance – to heal. The Bear Spirit is known to many cultures as the Great Healer. Bears are considered the Embodiment of Spiritual Power and Physical Strength. Rarely seen, bears seemingly live as spirits, without a body – visible to the eye only as foot prints in the sand – traces of passing left behind by great mythical beings from the Land of Spirits.
Bears, constant in their conviction have walked the same paths generation after generation, wearing deep furrows into solid stone. Bears were thought to die each fall, to be reborn each spring, verifying in life, their Spiritual Power over death. Proof, that Bears were given the Power of Resurrection through Rebirth.
Hibernation and the Spirit World
Hibernation; the great sleep; entering into the Spirit World for spiritual re-alignment and emerging in Spring as changed and balanced beings. Bears awaken from their long journey in the spirit world, having become greater in spirit and lesser in body. We could see a metaphor of the shedding of fat symbolizing the shedding of worldly goods & being reborn. Bears, jubilant in their return, rejuvenated by their physical and spiritual rebirth, they emerge from the womb of our Mother, the Earth, through the exits of their dens. Leaping and bounding like children bonding with their Mother, the bears knead the Earth to awaken, needing Her to renew all things, so Her children might be fed.
Refreshed and invigorated from a long and restful winter, they honour Her with sounds of joy and dances of renewal. Thankful for the gift of life, they stand erect, with outstretched arms, a sign of allegiance honouring their Father, the Sun, thanking Him for His warmth and the gifts of love that He provides for all living things. Thus begins, the annual rites of renewal that all life might be awakened and all things renewed.
Awakening Chant to Bear
Come 0 Spirit of the Great Bear
Awaken in your hidden Lair
Dancer in the Starry Sky,
Awaken my inner eye.
Great Medicine Singer,
And Healing Bringer,
Grant me the power in your Roar,
Root it deep within my core.
Grant me Might in Claw,
And Healing touch in Paw.
O Spirit of the Great Bear
AWAKEN the Bear in ME
AWAKEN the Bear in ME
AWAKEN THE BEAR IN ME!!!
Through the Ages
The Great Bear throughout the ages has been linked to the gods and goddesses of royalty and immortality. In Latin Ursa Major means “greater she-bear.” In Greek, Arktos is the word for bear. Hence the name Arctic, which means bearish and describes the far northern parts of the earth where the Great Bear constellation dominates the heavens even more than in the northern hemisphere.
It is important to know that Bear, as the Teacher of Medicine, is the ‘speaker’ for all animals and about the nature of the world within which we live.
For example, for the Tlingit people (Northwest Coast, USA), Kasha is the Great Mother who gave birth to all of the animals. They called her Animal Mother and also referred to her as Bear Mother or as Strong One Mother. When the World was new, Bear Mother gave each animal the form it has today. She nursed them and when one cried, She rocked it in a large Moosehide hammock stretched between four mountains. As they grew, She protected them. She taught them what food to eat and how to get along. She Bear, this Mother Bear who promised to renew our understanding about how to live in this world if we come and spend some time with her.
Archaeologists and anthropologists have not always fully appreciated the significance of the Bear for our ancient peoples. As an example burial sites have been found throughout California which clearly indicate the mystery, awe, and spiritual respect which these peoples had for Bear. One picture I saw has always stuck with me – a bear cub and a child are buried together. The bear was buried directly behind and parallel to the child and with the arms of the cub surrounding the child. A large acorn pestle was found in the hand of the child (which may indicate the child was a female since evidence indicates that women did the grinding of the acorns to produce food). A number of shell and stone beads were found in the area of the child’s neck and chest: The beads are of a style which allowed them to give this site an approximate date of 1500 A.D. Such burial sites, found throughout California, and similar sites of human and bear skeleton remains together, found throughout the world, remind us of human’s special relationship with Bear.
In Healing
A friend of mine, who has been a wonderful mentor for me, shared a soul retrieval experience she had years ago. While journeying to retrieve her patient’s “fetus soul,” which was fragmented and split off while in the womb, she was taken to a Cave in which this Mother Bear was suckling the fetal and at the same time suckling her own Bear Cub. Subsequently, for her, she discovered that Mother Bear often has the “lost souls” of children and she tends them until they are returned to an individual during soul retrieval.
In my own experience I have had Bears accompany me and the “Spirit” of a person after they had died. The most painful and profound experience I had with Bear as my personal healing was spontaneous. Spirit, in its wisdom, took me deep deep into myself to help me release my dead sister’s soul from my deepest psyche. At the end of my journey my sister’s body; which had been lovingly washed and wrapped in a death shroud, was placed upon Bear’s back and taken out of my ‘collective’ reality/psyche to… wherever she was taken.
Those of us walking the spiritual path need times to ritual together; we need a sacred space in which to explore, nourish ourselves and develop robustness of heart, of courage, and hold a vision that is based on a positive sense of Wholeness — or Wholeness restored when otherwise we would feel fragmented.
Bear Shamans and Bear Medicine Societies are present in many forms in many different, diverse and distant peoples. No two Bear Shamans were ever the same, and how could they be? However, there are certain elemental qualities that characterize the spiritual Bear. Any hunter could tell you how the great claws of the bear can rip through trees and brushes, or dig deeply and with passion into ant hills. Bear Shamans can use the gifts of their bear claws to dig deep into a body to remove what does not belong. Bear Shamans have been known to be great healers of deep wounds, as well as being known for healing bones. There are also Bear Shamans who have claimed to have power over life and death, taking on the resurrection mythos of the Bear. I have read some very interesting accounts of Bear Shaman healing and I can only imagine how it would feel to be a part of such power-filled and long standing ceremonies.
Great healers, like the Bear, restore balance and harmony. The Bear is the keeper of the dream time, and stores the teachings of dreams until the dreamer wakes up to them. Many tribes have called this space of inner-knowing the Dream Lodge, where the death of the illusion of physical reality overlays the expansiveness of eternity. It is in the Dream Lodge that our ancestors sit in Council and advise us regarding alternative pathways that lead to our goals. When I enter the Dream Lodge and sit with my Elders and Ancestors I feel wisdom surround me. I seek my inner silence and peace as I sit with them. Bear has stood over me and together we have looked into the great valleys of dreams. Bear, the Spirit of the Between worlds.
Teachings
Bears are active during the night and day. To our Ancestors, as well as to us, this symbolizes its connection with solar energy, that of strength and power, and lunar energy, that of intuition. By embracing the wisdom of the Bear we take the lessons within I ourselves to learn how to balance both.
From ancient times to current day; for those who track Bear’s ways, Bear is the “Walker between and among the worlds.” She is the Great Mother, the One Who Carries the Spirit to Beyond; and she is the one within this Earthly world who also teaches us. Bear teaches us how to move between and within Heaven and Earth. Bear waits for us to answer Her Call to walk through this wilderness, to descend into the dark, moist Cave & experience what the Spirits wish to share. Bear ascends with us into the Light, transforming the alchemical mysteries of darkness within light and light within darkness into some deeper knowing of Coming Home, Going Home, and Being Home for All.
Getting to Know Bear
For those drawn to Bear I recommend seeking her through journeys in four forms.
- Sky Bear. The Bear who turns the world, found in the upper world.
- Earth Bear. The Bear who shows the way, found in the middle world.
- Cave Bear. The Bear who births the world, found in the lower world.
- Spirit Bear. The Bear who dreams the world, found in dreams.
Prayers and Welcome to the Bears
Powers of the Upper World; The Great Bear – Sky Bear – The ever constant wanderer. You who can spin the night skies, the Dream Keeper.
Powers of the Earth Bear – The Powers of the Middle World, the Known World, the Silent walker between the worlds – Sharing consciousness in the Womb of Earth.
Powers of Bear that Births the World – The Lower World – to the caves of the worlddeep and hidden in those caves we honor your altars, your bones, carvings, all sacred art, the Cave Bear – The ancient of the Bears – The Wisdom Keepers.
The Bear Dreamers – Bear who dreams the world, Keeper of the Dark, remembrance of the deep and powerful energy of the Dream – you who dream the world into existence and dream it back into history – the keeper of the collective stories.
To all our bears we welcome you.
Looking for even more on Bear?
- An article on Waking the Bear, a shamanic spring ceremony.
- See where Bear fits on the Medicine Wheel.
Podcast Episodes (click on thumbnails):
Sun Bear photo by Tambako The Jaguar – originally posted to Flickr as Sitting sun bear, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link
Also published on Medium.
Most interesting read about the bears thank you
You’re very welcome Kevin, thanks for the feedback!
Bear came to me last night in a dream. There is a glowing triangle, a candle, 1 match and a small object, maybe a jar? Then bear appears and calmly, deliberately looks directly into my eyes. I’m pretty sure I was told to do something. Maybe the jar contained Uva Ursi? Maybe this whole ‘meeting’ is simply about Bear Medicine for myself to restore harmony and balance. So, I went to the internet and found Shaman’s Way. Thank you. An interesting path has just opened up to me. I’m going to dig deeper just like bear would do 🙂
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am happy you found our site. Bear is a fabulous Spirit as you likely are aware of! May you have a most fruitful relationship with Bear!
This information is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this knowledge.
I dreamt last night of bears coming down from a snowy mountain and flowing into my house. This article has helped me to understand the symbolism of it all 🙂
That’s awesome Natalie, thanks for sharing!
Beautiful article. I recently have seen spirit bear cub. She walks in front of me when I walk my dog. Recently she has followed beside my car as I drive to work. Always staying outside.
Could tell me what the significance of seeing this baby bear cub would be?
She really make me smile.
Thank you
Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing a bit of your story. I tend to experience growing animals, whether they be cubs, or another animal, as the Spirit wishing to grow with you. This is based solely on my experience. Through the years of journeying, I have been chosen by baby spirit kin. They have grown up, shared with me their skill acquisition and growth. As they grew, I grew. One of my main guys is a Lion. When we met his head was at my hip (I am 5′), now he and I are eye to eye. His head and mane are well above mine. Through the years we have trained together (well he has really been my teacher (side smile and a wink)) and have found a most comfortable relationship. Bear Cubs are full of potential. They are curious, rough players, tenacious, observant, but above all – always ready to call for help when they need it!!
I’m so happy I found your site! I joined and I’m amazed at the amount of high quality information you provide, thank you for that. I’m used to do shamanic journeys, I’m always attracted to them at pivotal points of my journey, but I have always done this in an intuitive way, so, your information is more than welcomed for me. I end up here because yesterday I did a guided shamanic journey for the Dark Moon (at Insight Timer app, you should take a look at that, it’s a great place to put some samples and spread the news about your site) Its title was Dark Moon Medicine Journey. As I am following the moon cycle, it seemed perfect. I got some surprises yesterday. The animal ally the meditation suggested was black jaguar. I already know black jaguar, but to my surprise, the animal that showed up was a huge black bear. A gentle male. And the journey was to visit a past “part of me”., that came escorted by a younger me, abt 20 y.o. I was surprised my child self was not alone. This was so perfect, because I’m working with resuming my relationship with my inner child. Other surprise was when I researched black bear symbolism. Because I’m on the verge of a rebirth. I’m in need of help with courage and strength, as I’m hesitating and scared, since this one seems so much bigger than other similar experiences I have had in the past.
Another issue: Every now and then I got worried about this pull I feel to Native American shamanism, as I have no lineage/blood connection with them. I supposed South American peoples would show up, but it’s never this way. It’s always Native American. I also get African lineages contacts, and Celtic contacts, whilst I too to not have blood connections with them, I’m white, Brazilian, descendent from Portuguese (and maybe Spanish people, in remote past). What’s your opinion/knowing about this question of blood /lineage?
“I’m in need of help with courage and strength, as I’m hesitating and scared, since this one seems so much bigger than other similar experiences I have had in the past.”
Sometimes, when we are faced with our “little monsters”, meaning those aspects of ourselves which call us to find them, we can be triggered. When we are wary, I think it is often because what we are going to find, does not necessarily want to be found, or healed. I know it takes courage in the process of seeking to find self. For courage when journeying I will often hold, or lay on my body, something I find which gives me power. For me it is a pouch I made specifically for strength. I journeyed, both with a drum as well as my own silent meditation, to find the pieces which would fill the pouch. In some ways, it is akin to sympathetic magick. Try finding a real world tangible item, to aid you.
“Another issue: Every now and then I got worried about this pull I feel to Native American shamanism, as I have no lineage/blood connection with them. I supposed South American peoples would show up, but it’s never this way. It’s always Native American. I also get African lineages contacts, and Celtic contacts, whilst I too to not have blood connections with them, I’m white, Brazilian, descendent from Portuguese (and maybe Spanish people, in remote past). What’s your opinion/knowing about this question of blood /lineage?”
That is a very challenging one to answer. I live on soil, which has been actively trod upon by First nations peoples for thousands of years. As a result, I encounter spirits from that land, aiding me along on my journey. I question if we are not called to the First Nations Spirituality because it is, and was, the dominant spirituality on this soil. As humans who are attempting to find their spiritual footing, there is a strong possibility the spirits of the land want to encourage us and aid us. If they wake us up, perhaps we will be better stewards of the land, and protect the sacred places? The Medicine Wheel I teach is from Sun Bear, who did not teach any specific nations traditions, in this way he encouraged neutrality while pursuing a wholistic approach to understand the world through the Wheel. If you are called, perhaps you can find someone who is willing to teach you. Be prepared for a long apprenticeship. Learning from the internet is short, learning from a human, can take decades.
Thank you for writing!!
Kriket
I was visited last night, in a dream, by a massive black bear. It watched, sitting, from my side yard. Then walked beside my eldest child while she rubbed its head. This bear was huge!!! The back was taller than my truck. Then it curled up on my neighbors grass and the kids played close. While I was whispering to get everyone back, hoping it didn’t attack. I was going to shoot it but had no bullets for my rifle. It stayed close and calm until I awoke. It stared at me anywhere I went. I was freaking out.
The last time I was visited by a bear was a grizzly incessantly trying to attack me. No matter how fast I drove or how many times I shot it, it kept coming. All the bears that have visited me have been massive. Borderline not real in size or temperament.
**Please email me any info. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and experiences.
I had a black bear encounter a few days ago on a family trip. My sister and I were taking a walk through the deep woods of a national forest. I heard rustling along my side of the path, we made note and kept walking. We then spotted the hind of a large deer ahead decided to turn around, as we were in their neighborhood. As we neared the part of the path where I previously heard the noise a bear made its presence known by stepping unto the path to look in our direction. We turned around again, called for our father to come retrieve us by car. As we drove by the area, we looked to see the bear, she did a slight jerk, like she was resetting her stance. I noticed that behind her (to the left) was her cub. I was relieved that we did not have to walk by the mother bear and her cub again, considering that the initial movement may have easily been the cub at play. Upon our return to the rest of the family, there were mixed reactions – shocked, scared, etc. However, my mother was happy and expressed how much of a gift this was to have an encounter where the bear wasn’t aggressive.
I am still processing the spiritual connection to this encounter. My lineage on both paternal and maternal are indigenous. Overall, I am grateful for this encounter, and this in depth read, especially since I have recently completed the second of being a Reiki practitioner.
I had such a weird dream last night. I normally feel that dreams are the brain’s way of getting rid of garbage, so this has me scratching my head? I had a great day at work. Nothing pressing on my mind, went to bed relaxed. My dream was I let my dog and my husbands dog out in the backyard and then went out front to do something. I hear noises coming from the back yard, so I go through the side gate, to be greeted by two bear cubs. One was black and one was almost white. The momma bear was eating my husbands dog? What the heck? Any ideas?
Hi Lisa,
Sorry for the lateness in reply. Most of my knowledge of dream interpretation comes from studying Jung and my years of travelling through the Spirit World. Animals, in my view, are your instincts – not exclusively – but I tend to assign a meaning similar to that one. Your dog changed from, a peaceful – humans best friend, to a wild bear eating a representation of your husband. Other than questioning whether you and your husband were having challenges, I question what is it in your world you need to pay attention to “in your back yard”. What is it you are not seeing, or are distracted by? Is there a conflict between your feminine self (dog/bear) and your masculine self (husbands dog)? Is there something which is out of balance in your psyche? Are you needing to take care of tricky business?? When we have dreams with images that are hard to shake (as in your dream) our Psyche is really trying to get a hold of us, resulting in images, thoughts, feelings left over from our dream state. I know this is late, and the issue is likely resolved, however, in the future perhaps try to break them down into smaller pieces and examine individual aspects and then return to the Whole dream.
Kriket