Grizzly

Trading Fear for Respect

Bears tend to evoke fear in most people.  We fear their strength and power. It is proper to have a healthy respect for bears, to know their ways and understand how to be with bears in the wild. However, I feel we do them a great disservice when we meet them in fear.

I used to be afraid of bears.  I was a city girl who had no experience of bears at all. I was always thrilled if I saw a bear from the safety of my car, but I did not want to meet one face to face.

As an adult, I started to spend more time in the wild. My first encounter with a bear taught me so much.  I was working as a biology student out in the forests of the Rocky Mountains. I was walking along an old logging road with a friend, and as we came around a bend, she was there. The most incredibly beautiful bear – a grizzly bear no less. Her cinnamon brown fur gleamed in the sunlight, and she was lapping up some water that was running in a trickle across the track. I was shocked and spoke aloud without thinking, “There’s a bear!” (As if my friend had not noticed her!)

Our Mutual Caution

BearAt the sound of my voice, the bear whipped its head up to look straight at us.  I swear the bear issued the same gasp of “It’s a human!” and then turned and lunged into the forest. That moment is forever etched into my memory. I can see her great muscles bunching and propelling her as she leaped into the woods. I remember how she seemed to disappear into thin air and how marvelous it was that such a big animal could move so fast and utterly vanish in a heartbeat.  I remember her surprise. I remember her beauty and grace.

I have since met many bears on hikes or been near bears. I am sure many more bears have seen me than I have seen them.  They are animals that truly do their very best to avoid people.

The Spirit of Bear

My fear has given way to a deep respect and love for these animals.  In my shamanic practice, I am blessed to work with the Spirit of Bear.  Bear is known to carry the attributes of nurturing and healing. Bear in the physical realm has knowledge of the plants and animals. She will find the herbs she needs and chew them up and spit the mashed vegetation onto her paws and rub it all over her body.  She will seek out roots and herbs and eat them. Bear knows how to heal herself.

In traditional lore, Bear has offered her healing knowledge to humans. As a result, she is known for her kindness. Bear supports me in all my personal healing and in the work that I do.

Mother BearGreat Mother

As great Mothers, bears keep their young with them for two years.  They are known for the fierce defense of their children. Bear offers us the gifts of protection and nurturing.

Bear knows where to find the sweetest honey and how to dig for plant roots. They are omnivorous – they will almost eat everything, but they primarily eat vegetation. Bear guides us to use our senses and to be aware of our world and to choose what is right for us and leave what is not.

A Model of Stillness and Withdrawal

Bears are also known for hibernating…they rest in the darkness of winter. Bear inspires us to take the time to reflect on our life and listen to our Inner Wisdom. Bear teaches us to be still and consider what has gone before and what we wish to bring into the world with the light of spring. Bear teaches us of the turning of the Wheel of Life and to be in rhythm with the seasons of the Nature and the seasons of our lives.

Bear’s greatest gift to me has been to demonstrate how to be my strength, to be in my Being. Bear has taught me that I do not have to wear a mask or try to mirror the energy around me. Bear has shown me that I do not have to be aggressive to be strong. Bear has shown me the power of honesty and authenticity, and that who I am is the gift I bring to this world. Bear has guided me to stand in my truth with loving strength.