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
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 is explaining soul work
The triangle represents father son and holy spirit.
The candle is used to keep darkness away also represents the Light of God
In some cases the candle may speak to you
Other times it will guide you to the work that is to come.
The jar comes into play when, under attack by a person who has sent something to harm you, and or your patient.
You will need to fill the jar 1/3 with boiling water, once you have the soul of the person trying to cause harm you will use the candle. Holding the soul with one hand you will use the free hand to “light up the soul” holding the free hand in front of the lit candle you will grab a handful of “light” and place it in the hand with the soul. While doing this keep a constant prayer that the person doing this will change their ways. You will repeat this several more times, then you will need the jar with boiling water place the soul in the jar and place near the candle. The person who was responsible will be “burning up” they will sweat a lot once the water is cold again you may release the soul from the jar it will travel back to where it came. Mother Bear will be with you all along the way. Trust her she walks in both realms. Physical and Spiritual
Interesting. Thank you for sharing your folk medicine. Very detailed description. Always appreciate learning others peoples medicine.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
THANK YOU for visiting us!!
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
Yes! The soil. I too questioned this draw to Native American practice and belief. I awoke to the idea one day that this is the land I walk, live , love and breath on – therefore respectful to know it’s ways. ☺️🐺
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
Hello, I was intuitively guided to this article. The message that came to me was “CLAW” and when I read this article my body, my crown chakra and whole being is filled with energy. Pure energy. Thank you so much for this article. I can feel the chills in my body. I feel like crying. Thank you so much. It is a beautiful article. Touches the body, the soul and beyond.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your words with me. I am always humbled when what has been written, has been held in the body. May you continue to have visceral spiritual experiences!
I have been accompanied by a black jaguar for many years now, he never leaves my side. A few months ago I awoke one morning to find a bear had joined us. He has been with us throughout every night since, always resting his head on my leg. Tonight he looked sad and weary, I asked what was wrong and he lifted his head from my leg and said he had come to me to die. He gave me a gift, a small package that floated up and settled on my chest. I opened my heart chakra and it was filled with warm light. The empty package disappeared and my bear stood up and walked away. Please can you tell me the significance of what has just happened and will I ever see my beautiful bear again.
It reads as though your bear has come to give you exactly what you needed. I wish I could tell you with 100% certainty you will see Bear again, but I cannot. Power animals come and go. Some are with us for years, and some only a short time. With compassion, I do understand, and I am sorry,
This morning I woke up from a dream about a music band called Cub Sport.
And then I chanced upon a music video later on that I felt inclined to find out the title of.
The track was called “Touch – Panda Remix” by Bearcubs.
And the signs are everywhere!
I got a soy sauce packet with a panda (obviously) on it.
Luck is on my way, I can just feel it. 🙂 Thank you for the article.
In my dream last night, a very large angry grizzly bear came after me with very large claws. In fear I turned and ran as quickly as I could jumping into an armoured machine with mechanized wheels. as I drove away I noticed hundreds of bodies flying into the air having been destroyed by the rampage of the chase from the bear.
https://www.quora.com/What-does-it-mean-to-dream-that-a-bear-is-attacking-you
In the physical realm, i am suffering from being hit by the mother of my 8 month old son. Out of genuine concern for my safety, this forced me to leave the house, but I was unable to take my son. She is seeking psychological treatment and wants me to get back together. Either I do or don’t. It’s been a difficult 4 years. I must make decisions.
For twenty years i am visited by many animals. Even after reading/learning about what an encounter might have meant, I seem to lack an ability to turn the teaching into action, because I feel an ambiguity between directions. A good example is what the above Quora link suggests. Do I stay to see if the ex partner can radically change, or begin anew in search of someone kinder who I can relate to better?
Ambiguity is like an opaque covering. My question is what is it in yourself that stops you? Where in your deep self are you seeking shelter. I did not read the quora quote, not that I do not like quora, but I was more interested in asking you the personal question. Where is the younger you hiding? Which truth lies beneath the life sucking spirit of ambiguity? And why is Shadow so intent you do not see it, and in turn, will not allow you to take your power (spiritual, emotional, intellectual) back?
May your spirits guide you well. There is nothing easy about change when the people who you want to change, you love the deepest.
OK … So, I had this bizarre, fever-induced dream two nights ago. But, it was very calming and very vivid. I have never ever had such a calming dream in my life. It was such a lovely vision, I wish I could paint it.
I was in what I suppose was to be a new house for my husband and me. The only room I really remember was a moderately sized room with a door. All six flat areas (including ceilings and floors) were covered with a single panel each of brocade silk in iridescent peacock colors [mostly the greenish teal color and sapphire blue color, but very much identifiable as peacock colors] and random straight strands of gold threading from end to end. The design wasn’t “busy”. No peacock patterns or tail feather “eyes” either. The edges were well underpinned somehow and each center visibly tacked with two broad-headed, plain tacks. However, the fabric billowed a bit between the centered tacks and the edges. In my dream, I kept commenting on the greens and blues. I only remember the other as an observer, not commenting on the billowing. It did not bother me in any way nor did the plain tacks amid the sumptuousness. However, it must have some symbolic meaning since my attention was drawn to the billowing and center tacks. Kind of like all of this is wonderful, but these two specific things are important … x 6.
When I left the room, I walked outside and am startled to see a large number of black bears roaming around the yard/garden. I am not scared, just shocked. I then go from being me seeing the bears to third person observer seeing myself in a flowing white gauzy or linen fabric (light, but not see-through) sleeveless dress, barefoot in thickly-sodded dark green cool, slightly damp grass, walking toward the observing me while mingling around the bears, running my hands through their fur as if they were dogs or cats, but not pets. They are still wild and coming and going as they please. But, they look up at the me when I am petting them like puppy dogs and they “smile” as dogs do. I remember their fur feeling thick and soft. (I don’t even know what a bear’s fur would feel like, but in my dream, it was lovely.) The observer feels everything that the me in a white dress is doing. (I don’t think it’s an out-of-body experience dream though. Both versions of me see each other. This whole scene gave me such peace, I cannot put it into words. I am very curious about the high number of sweet, gentle bears. They were all tall enough that I did not have to bend to touch them. There were so many, I could barely see the grass, except when they would part in front of the white dress me walking toward observer me. (The two versions of me did not get a chance to speak.)
Then, I was abruptly (?) thrown into a dream that I was knitting without needles … but clearly I was knitting with needles. The stitches were the perfect tightness. Woke myself up with my hands in the air, trying to rewrap yarn around my right finger.
The vividness of your dream is amazing!!
The details – hmmmm… are you a detail person?
“….However, it must have some symbolic meaning since my attention was drawn to the billowing and center tacks. Kind of like all of this is wonderful, but these two specific things are important … x 6….”
Perhaps no matter who well fastened, there is always room for billows (air, space in between, a threshold between silk and wall etc)… The colors, do they inspire you? Do you respond to them? Would you hold them as sacred?
The six x 6 is 36 which is 9 which is 3 – are you in a process of completion and into creation/intuition??
Being in two visions (bi location could loosely be used to describe this) can be seen as the psyche and the consciousness each experiencing the wonder of the bears, within their own parameters and necessities. Bears have long been associated with our dreams (the gossamer you/psyche), referred to as the constant dreamer. Journey to this dream. Take it there, and ask the Spirits to share with you theirs thoughts and what messages they were sharing with you. It is a perfect dream for a journey 🙂
Awesome article! Enjoyed this post about bears. Thanks for sharing!
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Beautiful article. I’ve been “visited” by a black bear during meditation time😁 which brought me here. I also had a dream that i was chasing the bear, longing for it to stop running…I guess because I had been wondering why hes showing up recently. He finallu stopped running, towered over me. I cowered down, but the bear grabbed my arm and pulled me up to his level to face him, to look him in the eye! It was intense
Those are very potent images!! Thank you for sharing with me. I hope you continue on your exciting journey with bears!!
Thank you for sharing your very interesting and inspiring understanding of Bear Medicine.
Our pleasure!!
I have a grizzly bear spirit helper – he protects me when I call on him and ask for protection. The other evening I called on him, since I was sick wanted protection. I gave him a spirit salmon, and then he slept by me. I suggested he stay awake, but he would lie down and sleep again. It’s November. Does he hibernate even in spirit form? In non-winter months he doesn’t seem to sleep around me much.
Hi Greg,
That is interesting. I have worked with Bear for many years and mine have never hibernated. However, as we both know, how spirit acts for you is impacted by your relationship to Bear and your Spirits. Spirit is as unique and individual as each person journeying. I hope you are feeling better!
well i have started reading books of chris d’lacey known as last dragon chronical series and he sure did write many new things to learn and on of them is shaman so i was eager to learn about it and thanks to you i have got so much info.THANKS SO MUCH.
Welcome to finding your place on the path! I am always glad to hear our work here has value and impact! I wish you fine journeys and experiences!
Fifi, it appears you have come across powerphrenalia which a spirit all its very own. I would recommend clearing and cleaning the spirit of the piece. I would use simple sage to burn away the spirit. I would also recommend you journey, or meditate if that is your connection, and ask the Spirit of the Piece what it needs to be honored and given a change to rest. Perhaps you can find it’s genesis story, and in turn that may lead you to a deeper connection to self and Bear.
I was having a pipe ceremony once, and we all sat in a circle and prayed afterwards, heads bowed and eyes shut, after I finished I saw the Elder staring at me and he said that he had a vision, that a bear came walking in and sat in front of me staring, he didn’t know what it meant but said to find out, any ideas of what this could’ve meant?
Bear chooses you. I hope you reach back and accept his offer.
Kriket
My dog passed yesterday and couple hours after I go. Outside and there is a huge black bear 50ft up in a cedar tree just outside my house.
Is this a sign? We never see bears here.
I think your dog whispered in the Bears ear and told it you needed a sign. Signs can be sent to ease our wounded and broken self.
So very sorry for your deep loss.
Kriket
Hi, I’m so happy to have come across your site. I dreamt about a brown bear last night. He was standing tall and slim and he was part human (I recall his arms were human). I called, “Bear!” and he came running to me (on hind legs, like a person). He was an adolescent (though standing taller than me) and his mother was nearby. He was hyper, like a high-needs child with ADD, and wanted to play with me. I regretted calling him over because his hyper energy was exhausting to me and I didn’t feel like I was up to playing with him. I was trying to figure out how to get out of it. That’s all I remember. I would love your thoughts on what this dream might mean if you have time to share them. I have been going through tremendous changes since having a kundalini awakening last year.
” I have been going through tremendous changes since having a kundalini awakening last year. Let’s start here. Bear, in your dream, with my shaman eyes, is more likely your instinct or building block representation. As you are going through immense change (Kundalini will do that) our personal instincts awaken to our newly birthing self. The bear not quite settled on a form, a youthful exuberance, tiring. I would suggest your internal system is shifting – just like your shape shifted bear!!
Hope this resonates.
Kriket
So I just awoke from a dream of. Big brown bear jumping up and down try to grab an owl out a tree while a pack of wolves on their hind legs were jumping on the bear surrounding it. When the owl flew out of the tree the bear jumped and grabbed it ( I screamed, No!) and the bear flung the owl from his jaw and the owl flew across the field and landed in the grass. I ran to find the owl. I found it on the ground, it’s heart still beating. Meanwhile a mother and child showed up after witnessing the same and I told the mother to call a wildlife rescue immediately then I woke up..
Wow, that is a quite a big dream. Do you have a spiritual relationship with Bear, Wolf or Owl? Dream space is incredibly personal. Looks like you have some interesting digging into your psyche ahead of you!
Warmly,
Kriket
There is a big bear living in my side & backyard. There might be more than one. The huge one smells like a big wet dog, very strong smell, that’s why I know when he is here. He or they never bother me, although they sleep close to my house.
What does this mean? I don’t feel afraid too much for some reason. I am NOT feeding any of them, and they are polite. Only knocked the trash can over once. They are very polite.
Hello Ivy,
It sounds as though long before the Bears moved in you already demonstrated your care and attention to the world, literally, outside your door. It feels as though the Bears are easy and comfortable by your dwelling. They do have a very strong scent, and very particular! 🙂 I hope you can journey to the Bear and leave offerings in the Spirit World for them. An offering of honey, or sweet berries, or any of their other favorite food. Let Mudjekeewis know its messages have been received and appreciated 🙂 Warmest Blessings on your gentle introduction to Bear.
Is there meaning behind finding a bear claw on your path walking through the forest? I found one walking around Crater Lake, and I’m not sure how I saw it because it blended in with the path. It feels like it was meant for me to find, so I’m trying to figure out why.
I am going to tell you what my teacher would tell me. Journey on it. If Bear has appeared to you, and you find it perplexing, the best way to get the answer is to go to the source, In your case it’s Bear. I wish you good journeys!
Looking for a way too better live my life of pain!!!
I hope Journey with Bear will help you. Try our free resources to help get you started.
Hi,
great information about bear all in one place. I would be so happy if I get an advice or help, because I dont understand what is wanted from me… I have always had crazy dreams , but just a few months ago I had a very vivid dream with a black wolf. It ran out of a forest and jumped in to an old woman that I had to protect from a black shadow figure…I did protect the wolf /lady by wakeing up in my dream,I think I was dream walking in the dream (?!)…only to wake up for real soon after. Than I had a dream of a brown bear chasing me in a forest and just before it got me it turned in to a man. Than another dream in which I killed a white polar bear in my basement. And just yesterday I saw in my dream a woman standing next to a polar bear and a boy standing next to a black wolf in my garden. I have no idea what is wanted from me ?
In the last months I also dreamed other animals but these keep coming back to me.
Hi Lilly,
Those are read like very intense dreams. Wolf and Bear are two animals we have long anthropomorphized, Bringing them into our life, giving them human voice, visions – a seat at the table of the human psyche, I think. Two things immediately spring to mind – The forest in my practice is the liminal space between nature and wildness. It is that place where our spirit resides trying to decide to go deeper into the unknown or stay by the edge and just entertain the idea of going deeper.
Killing animals, to me, is closely associated with at odds or in battle, with your intuition. I find the black and white bears speak to the stark black and white you may be working with. The brown bear and the black wolf, could be pointing to old, or well known, patterns.
Shapeshifting is the ability to see in your dream from different perspectives.
The fear and protection can be indications of your own need for protection and recognizing when you psyche is in danger.
Powerful dreams we remember are strong communications.
The only piece of advice I can give you – Journey on it. Go to the animals and ask them what you need to know and learn. Journey to the old woman and young boy – are they aspects of your own masculine and feminine.
Hope this helps
Kriket
Hello Kriket, Almost two decades ago now, I still remember my incredibly violent dream of bear. As a young person, I was raised in the Cascade Mountains of BC and would hike alone. And because of my first-hand experiences, my respect for bear is greater than my fear.
In my dream, my two children then ages about 8 and 10 were with me as we hike up a rocky ground path (Precambrian shield) with evergreens on both sides. Within the dream, I am partially lucid and semi-aware that I am dreaming. My protective mothering instincts are fired up as this is such a vivid dream that it feels prophetic. I think to myself, I might have to sacrifice myself for their sake in real life.
With no sighting of cubs, a beautiful huge black Mama Bear charges at my children, I step in front of them to protect them. She rears and swings her mighty claws at my chest, tearing away my rib cage leaving my heart exposed with a flap of hanging skin. I am staggered to my core. Mama bear wants to annihilate me and continue her work. My single thought is, “I need my heart.” Trying to hide my wound from my children, so as to not alarm them about my death blow, I place my hand on my heart. When I do that, Mama Bear vanishes and the dream ends.
My relationship with bear continues. Here close to the boundary of our city in a rural northern Ontario town, I have had two recent encounters with bear. One while walking with my dog, we first discovered a ‘bear corridor,’ trail, when one 2-year-old youngster, waited for us to pass by on the other side of the road. Next, bear’s eyes steadily glowed out at me from the bush, when I again was out with my dog at night. Lastly, I found a hunter’s blind set up within city limits to kill bear. In a confrontation with this hunter, I told him, I knew of his blind. He was not pleased but backed his aggression down.
My question to you is not along the lines of the healing powers of bear, and my need to heal my own heart as this is familiar to me.
My question to you is how to know what my relationship with bear wants of me next?
1. We are soon to be moving from this area, would it be a good way to honour bear by letting the MNR know about this bear corridor that runs into the hunter’s property? Or is this interfering with a bear’s autonomy?
2. Or should I turn a blind eye to the fact that this hunter is targeting bear and let them work out their bear/human relationship?
3. Am I being called to become a protector of bear?
4. If I inform the MNR of this bear corridor, will they further survey the land and disturb this bear’s habitat and if so is it my responsibility for the consequences of bear relocation? Is bear relocation necessary when the bears are only nuisance/garbage foraging bears and pose no aggression threat?
5. Was it enough that before this confrontation with this hunter, I marked the trails with my own urine and feces scent to tell bear that he/she was in danger here and to try and move on?
6. Was my telling the hunter that I knew of his bear blind simply enough, or am I being asked to do more?
This might be outside of your purview, but you seem to have a great deal of First Nations bear knowledge, and perhaps you might know how to advise others on proper right relations with bear?
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge of bear. Originally I was searching for a bear awakening rituals and this is how I found your site. My heart drummed deeper and slower as I read the depth of your words and meaning and I recognized my affinity with your message.
1. I would ask if you spotted the bear corridor and created relationship in order to feel your mama bear protectiveness come out to want to inform MNR know about the bear corridor. I think a call to your local office to do some digging would settle some of the interference questions you have. I think those are invaluable to take into consideration. I am not a fan of bear hunters and encourage the spirit of the forest to be listening and cheering you on in your protective desires. Overthinking our instincts can cause more anxiety than is necessary.
2. Honor the Bear. I love sweet small offerings for them. I leave offerings of food. I know yours are hibernating (or rather should be) although that can be unpredictable. I like to honor Osho The Honey Bear. He is a Finnish tale and the last thing the Goddess of the Forest gave him was to rub his lips in honey so he would always seek the pleasures in life (good food).
I have a bear song I was taught by the Forest. It is on a podcast where I share my songs. But, anyway… I like to sing to the forest, awaken the spirits who are slumbering, remind Bear it is not forgotten. The mystery and relationship is ancestral. And I think you have tapped into the Deep Dreamer and the Cosmic Bear.
I am unfamiliar with the first nations of Ontario. I am familiar with a teacher named Pete Bernard from the Ottawa valley. He is Algonquin and would know far more respectful ways than I. his website can be found by searching 8th fire and Ontario.
Thank you for sharing your very potent dream and subsequent travels with me. I have enjoyed feeling Bear in your words. I hope you relationship continues!!
Kriket
Kriket, thank you so much for your words. 🙂 They were much appreciated! Much food for thought, thank you so much.
– Heather
Heather, I hope that you do not mind my interpretation of your heart being exposed in your dream. The way I am sensing it is that Bear Medicine has found you! Just as there are 4 directions, 4 races of people, 4 seasons, the 4 realms namely the rock realm, plant realm, animal realm and people realm, and the 4 hills of life there are also 4 chambers in the human heart. The bear opened up and exposed your heart, how beautiful is that? Obviously your heart has to be exposed for your gifts to unravel. I sense awesome!
That being said I would like to address you trying to warn the bear. The Spirit of the Bear starts in the metaphysical. To warn bear of impeding danger just pick up a rock from the area. The rock will call to you. Take a deep breath and blow your intentions or prayers into the rock. This will activate the rock and give it life. It will hold your intentions and release them accordingly. The bear in the physicality will sense your “language” and heed the dangers. An Eagle feather for your journey!
Thank you for giving this beautiful and well-written teaching on the great Bear spirit.
My totem animal is the Grizzly Bear and has been with me my whole life. I have been guided through dreams for years and via shamanic journeys. In the dreams, I am always in the body of the bear and leave clawed footprints in the direction for where I should be heading in real life- North, South, East or West (prefers northerly and westerly). The bear makes me incredibly instinctive and aware of my surroundings.
The healing journey of the bear spirit you spoke of, is accurate to say the least. It is very strong healing, to the depth of your souls core, especially emotionally speaking as on the medicine wheel. Teachings of harmony, balance and going between worlds. Traversing from winter to spring, hibernation to wilderness, earth to water and from the underworld to this world.
In the past, my brother has dreamt of my totem with his totem animal as well, the Grizzly Bear with the Black Panther, both giving us guidance in a unified way through dreams.
I would love to hear more of others with this special totem. 🐻
Several years ago I had a dream that I was going to be murdered, don’t know by who or why. Then one night I had a psychic bear jump on my bed. I could feel how heavy it was like a huge dog that would have jumped on my bed. The bear came up to my face and I thought it was going to hurt me, but instead it licked my face and then vanished. I felt it was trying to say “everything is going to be alright.” Several days later going to work a bear was killed by a car right ahead of me. I heard the bear say to me, “I died for you.” I started crying. After that I had this sense of peace that everything was going to be alright for me, that now I was not going to be murdered as my gut and my dream had told me. I swear that somehow that bear did die for me. This is the power of bear medicine. In thanksgiving my husband and I made bear cut outs (life size) and a Native American woman painted the legends on them. They proudly hang at the Tribe. I also put tobacco and honey down for the bears. This is the sweetness of life. Thank-you Creator, “Little Bear”
Beautiful
I dreamt that the man I’m dating turned into a giant black bear and hugged me. I could see his arms change as he turned into a bear and those black bear arms with large claws reached out to me to hug me. I wasn’t scared in the least and reached out and embraced the bear. ive had many encounters with animals in my dream, but never a person turning into the animal. it had a feeling like a spirit guide. it is rebirth time for me, I know. but I’m not sure if this is a spirit guide, or something my Intuition is telling me about my mate. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Thank you for sharing this article 💜
I dreamed I was giving birth. There were women all around giving birth. I felt the contractions although with no pain. I walked into the bathroom where there was a bath and basin. I could feel I was dilated and the baby was ready to birth. I felt her pass through. I waited for a cry which I knew would be a good sign, which she did. She was a healthy baby girl. I called her Osbourne which is a Norse name meaning God Bear.
I am currently going through a difficult phase of this life journey. My husband has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and we have two young children. This dream felt so healing as I am working hard on love, compassion and acceptance. This was an omen, for me, to say I am on the right path.
I found this article as I now see I am to work with Bear.
I never thought of myself as having a connection to Bear. I just like to sit quietly, picturing a small forest, and watch to see who approaches or passes through. I try to be respectful and afterwards consider what messages they bring, even in passing.
When I was trying to leave my abusive relationship, I was very isolated. I had lost friends. I wasn’t able to speak to family about it. There wasn’t really anyone around and I felt too ashamed to ask for help.
One day I was crying and so stressed that I was unable to move.
My mind wandered back to the little forest and I saw myself crying on the ground with a large brown bear curled around me.
Normally in the forest I saw a dog, or different types of birds. This was the first time I saw a large animal. I didn’t feel better after seeing the bear curled around me, but I felt less alone. For the next few weeks, whenever I was having a very difficult time, I could feel that “less alone” feeling. It was a very silent strength.
I don’t know how long Bear will stay with me, but I am forever thankful to them. They helped give me the strength to survive a very difficult time.
I’ve never told anyone about this experience before. If anyone has had similar experiences, or if anything about my experience resonates with them, I would like to hear about it.
Thank you all for your openness that allowed me to feel like i could share