After hiking up in Mt. Baldy, I got in my car to drive back home and a baby bear scurried across my path. She stopped and glanced up at me for a moment, and I realized that she was just as startled as I was. I watched as she continued on her path, and I smiled as I wondered what she had just been up to. Many people in Baldy tell me stories about how the bears sneak into their yards and even their homes to find food. As things start to warm up and Spring starts to show her face, bears will begin to emerge from hibernation looking for food. While I felt a little fearful about whether the momma bear was anywhere near, I quickly put my fears aside and chose to reflect on the message that this baby bear had brought me.

Bear Symbolism

The bear is a powerful symbol of introspection and rebirth. In nature, they follow the seasons along with the sun and the moon, and when a bear enters your life, this is a reminder to make sure that you are taking proper time to rest and learn and then emerge from your rest with vigor when the time is right, hungry for life and what it has to offer. When the spirit of bear comes into you path, this is a time to stop and reflect on some of the following messages:

• Retreat and Rest: It is important to take time to nourish yourself and find your center. The bear does this by retreating to a cave or den and becoming quiet and still. This not only helps her to conserve energy, but it allows her time to rejuvenate and replenish. Bear medicine guides you to take time for yourself and go within and reconnect with yourself. You can do this by taking an hour, a day or a few days, whatever feels right to you. Just make sure that you take time to meditate and reflect on who you are and what is important to you. When you become quiet, you can allow yourself to enter an empty space and then and only then will your true nature emerge. Once you become quiet, ask very gently, what is my true nature?

 

• Finding Balance: The bear is a dualistic creature, hibernating in the winter and then emerging and becoming active in the spring. Also, while she is quiet in the winter time, this doesn’t mean that this time is less important than the active part of her life cycle. There is a time for work and play and then there is a time for rest and introspection. The bear is a reminder to find the balance of these two worlds, to make sure that proper time is given to both. They are equally important and this is a great time to ask yourself if you are playing as hard as you are working? Are you sleeping long enough and getting proper rest? Do you have good energy when you are active? If you are restricting your sleep, it will have an effect on your active life and vice versa. See how important it is to be present in both worlds!

 

• Dependence/Independence: Bears eat a lot before going into hibernation and they do this so that they can store enough fat in their bodies to survive winter. Because of this, bears are extremely self-sufficient. If a bear symbol has made it’s way into your life, ask yourself if you are depending too heavily on people in your life? Or perhaps, are other people depending on you too much? If you have been feeling like you cannot survive without certain people or things, take time to reflect and ask yourself why you are feeling this way right now. The bear reminds us to re-center and find our way back to ourselves and our inner source of strength and power. While there are moments in our lives when we might need assistance or a shoulder to cry on, it’s important to eventually find our connection to our own source of intuition and love. Allow yourself to be guided to what you need and let your heart speak to you

 

• Protection: In nature, bears only become defensive if someone or something is threatening them their lair or their offspring. If the bear has entered your life as a symbol, this is a reminder to take a look at your life and your surroundings and make note if someone or something is threatening your personal life or space. Also, you might want to ask whether someone is coming between you and what’s truly important. The bear is known to be a fierce defender of what is important to her and she simply will not tolerate anything that threatens that. There is no reason that you should put up with intruders in your life. Even if these are people such as bosses or friends, you may need to take a stand and let them know that your close circle, your family, is what is most important to you. Look at all areas of your life and observe if you feel as though you are on edge around anyone or anything. Does your home feel safe? Do you feel comfortable? If there is anything disturbing the good energy, it’s time to clear that from your life.

As an animal totem, the bear will relate messages of:

• Bravery
• Peace
• Resurrection
• Power
• Motherhood
• Duality
• Introspection
• Strength
• Independence
• Authority
• Nurturing

Bears are known to be defenders of their territory and their young. It is only when they are provoked or feeling invaded that they powerfully express a display of defense and aggression. Due to their nature, bears have long been used as symbols of sovereignty, courage and defense throughout many cultures.

What do Bears Represent in Cultures?

In Scandinavia, the bear represents an aspect of the god Odin. Berserkers were known to wear bearskins to make them appear more ferocious in battle. These warriors believed that dressing this way would insure a victory. In Greek mythology, the huntress Artemis and her maidens would wear bear dressings as a symbol of hunting prowess and power. Germanic and Celtic deities Artio and Thor are often depicted with the bear, and within these ancient cultures, the bear symbolizes bravery.

Many Native American Indians also donned bear skins as a symbol of power, protection and courage and called bears “elder kinsman.” Many Native American tribes believed that when the bear went into hibernation his spirit form would come out and roam freely. Some tribes would do a bear dance called the “Ghost Dance.” They believed that doing this dance would bring back the ghosts of their ancestors while they lulled the grizzly bear to sleep for its winter hibernation. After the dance is complete, another Dance is celebrated, called the Circle of Life Dance. This dance was held around a burning log fire until the fire burns out. They danced and sang for warmth and light from the sun during the time the grizzly sleeps. The bear is such an important part of Native American lore that is can be found on totem poles, in drawings, and on masks and jewelry among many other pieces of art.

Animal Totem Bear

Animal Totem Bear reminds us to become introspective and self-reflective in order to access our higher wisdom, and then once we have obtained clarity, emerge into the world with fresh energy ready to create and enjoy life. Don’t be afraid to be larger than life and look at areas of your life where you might be playing it small. The bear reminds us to step up to life with an authoritative presence and take a stand for what is important. Remember to defend what is most important to you, nurture your needs and ideas, and to find the balance between work and play, resting and rejuvenating.

Much love to you as you adventure through life!
Mandy G.