The Bear, in many traditional cultures, represents strength, family, courage, and health. It does not need a tribe. It is self-oriented and strong-willed, very deliberate in actions, thoughtful of animals that come to it for healing. He is one of the kings of knowing natural medicines and curs itself with such. But the bear is more than willing to share his knowledge so others might benefit from such healings as well.
Female bears will often return to their same den, year after year. So, the female bear symbolizes home and family. They keep their cubs with them for, typically a year. They are seen to have learned humility through their motherhood. She will fight to the death for her cubs. But she knows gentleness and quietness in this as well.
She reminds us to “den in” sometimes, be quiet and calm, and rest, so that things that need to be done, later, can be done well.
The bear is the Protector and well-respected for such. It is often called “Elder” and may be known as a grandfather spirit of someone who has passed on. She is felt to protect communities as Elders are, and should be respected for such. It was she who taught the peoples to fish and gather roe and harvest berries and store them for the long quiet winters.
I have seen a bear that was skinned. It was a horrible thing to see. It looked human. Bears share many human traits and people believe that bears can understand human language and thought.
Bears are known to think before acting, but can react on a dime. The quickest they react is to protect. We can learn a great deal of self-awareness, healing herbs, ways to be human, by studying the bear.
©Carol Desjarlais 12.2.22
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