This is the story of a shamanic journey and the bear animal totem. A new spirit animal for me. I feel that this is a symbol for many of us right now to hold the energy and spirit of the bear within us as we will need it moving forward in this upside-down world.
It’s been a while since I have done a shamanic journey. A practice that I had in my spiritual toolbox for a few decades and would utilize quite frequently. I don’t remember how long it’s been since the last time I journeyed into the other world, and I thought today could not have been a better time for me to check in. I’ll tell you more about the process later after I tell you what I saw on my journey. So, I entered the journey, and I can see myself, I always present as a Native American man for some reason, and I always have since the very first time I have journeyed. I think this must be somebody that I was in a past life or maybe he is a spirit guide because I can see him or me as if I’m following from behind.
Whenever I start the journey, I’m usually walking on a path with a field of wheat to my left and a forest to my right. I’m always flanked on the right side by a deer. The deer symbolizes gentleness, silent power, and naivete. Today however, I was joined for the first time in two decades by a bear. Although I was surprised that the deer was not present and replaced by what appeared to be a large grizzly bear, I was oddly comforted to have that enormous power beside me.
The first stop in a shamanic journey always begins in the middle world. This is the heart and center of the soul being of the person journeying. This is where a shaman goes to check in with themselves and to see how their internal environment is doing. The shaman or in this case me, I took a look around in the middle world and I made an observance of how the land is maintained how the structures are maintained is there anything in disrepair anything overgrown etcetera. I look around to see if there are any other people present in this middle world waiting for me. I see a hammock in the far western corner of my middle world hanging where it always does and typically occupied on occasion by my grandfather. At first, I don’t see him there in the hammock and I proceeded to look around at my four corners of my middle world. I entered the north and immediately looked to the West. All of the trees are Barren not sure if it is because it is autumn, a drought, or they have been scorched. To the South is a forest that has a path that walks down to a river. If I look up into the sky it is nighttime, and the sky is full of stars. To the east there is a White House that is on the edge of a Cliff overlooking what I could describe as something similar to the Grand Canyon. To the east there’s typically a garden full of flowers but there’s nothing there. Everything is dead. In the center of all of this is a fire pit which usually contains a comforting warm blaze, however there are only little embers remaining.
I take a look back to the West and there’s my grandfather laying in the hammock sleeping comfortably. I can’t remember him ever sleeping in the hammock, but he did like his naps. Usually when I visit, he’s swinging in the hammock and waving to me with a big smile on his face. Everything is silent. I look around to see if there are any animals in this middle world as a raccoon comes over to me and the bear and starts to have a conversation with the bear. Raccoons sometimes symbolize secrets or things that need to be covered up with things that will be revealed, the masks that people wear. Raccoons can also symbolize resourcefulness, but I don’t think that that was the message this time.
I look back over at my grandfather and there is a rope ladder hanging from the heavens and he proceeds to climb up this rope ladder waving me on and telepathically telling me to meet him in the upper world. I looked to the east as that’s where I will usually ascend to the upper world. I see a hawk flying amongst the mountains soaring higher and higher and then dipping back down. The hawk lands on the edge of the Cliff and I climb onto its back leaving the bear in the middle world. The hawk soars up to the heavens and up into the upper world. The upper world is where our ancestors and spirit guides live.
Once we land in the upper world I proceed to the and through the gates where my family is waiting for me. 1st it’s my grandmother and my grandfather. My grandfather is on the left, my grandmother on my right. I’ve never seen my grandfather look so distraught in my entire life his eyes filled with tears. I walk through the crowd of my family I see my mother presents around age 19 when I visit her in the supper world. Her sisters are there, my aunts, but I don’t see my own sister and I’m just realizing now how strange that is that she wasn’t there. They are nudging me to continue walking down the path. I’ve never gone this far as I usually spend my time with them in the upper world getting messages gaining advice before I return to the middle world, but they want me to keep going. After walking for a short distance, I came to a building that reminds me of the Acropolis on Mount Olympus. I proceed up the stairs and walk in through the pillars. I don’t give every far when I am met by a being that I can’t even remember what this being looks like if it had any shape or form but I was handed a ball of glowing light. In one moment, it would look like a ball of fire with flames and then it would transform into a glowing orb filled with every color of the rainbow. It was understood that I was to carry this light and protect it and share it when I returned to the physical world.
I left the upper world on the back of the hawk and he brought me safely back to the middle world and to my new spirit animal the bear. We had our assignment and began our descent into the lower world. Once in the lower world I walked through the trees in the forest to a stream where the siren Parthenope was swimming. I placed my ball of fire, my glowing orb into the water and watched it float away. Floating down the stream to heal the water. Even though I had given this away I found that I still had this glowing orb of light in the palms of my hands.
The bear and I proceeded to walk back and enter into the physical world. Bear would not be coming with me, that would be a journey I would have to partake on my own. But before I left the bear and the forest, I found myself at the bottom of a grave looking up and seeing all the trees surrounding me. I wondered if I was dead or if I had died. And then somehow, I had the strength and the power to crawl out of that grave all the while holding this glowing orb of light. I dusted myself off patted the bear on its head and walked through the field of wheat back into reality.
Let’s dive into the powerful energy and spirit of the Bear:
With its shaggy fur and formidable strength, the bear has long been a symbol of power and wildness. It represents the untamed, primal forces of nature and the raw, unbridled energy that lies within us. But the bear also has a deeper, more spiritual meaning. A guide to your dormant emotional and intellectual resources, the bear spirit animal can be an unpredictable wild card in our life – wild in nature but wise and gentle on the inside.
So how does the bear spirit animal fit into your life, and what does it teach you about yourself? Let’s take a look at its traits and the lessons it has to offer.
Positive symbolic meanings associated with the bear include:
- Strength and Confidence
- Protective Power
- Courage
- Motherly love and care
- Healing and protection
- Affinity with solitude, introspection
- Grounding
Depending on the context, negative symbolic meanings with the bear can include:
- Aggressiveness, territoriality
- Unreliability or instability in relationships
- Overwhelming presence of emotions
- Being slow to change or adapt
- Fear
The bear is an awe-inspiring creature whose presence evokes respect and admiration. Animal of the forest and solidly anchored on the ground, it reminds us to stay connected to ourselves and the Earth. It illustrates the delicate balance between being protective of one’s own interests and reacting overly aggressively, retreating within and daring to go outside of the comfort zone, reconciling our needs with the needs of others and acknowledging the importance of self-care.
An energetic and expansive force, the bear spirit animal invites us to confront our fears, test our boundaries and heed its message. A potent symbol of power and strength, it pushes us to be bold, confident and courageous in seeking new experiences.
Bear Animal Totem Meaning
The bear as an animal totem carries profound significance across various cultures and spiritual traditions. It embodies a range of qualities and lessons that can guide individuals on their personal journeys. Here’s a detailed exploration of the meanings associated with the bear as a totem:
1. Strength and Power
Bears are often seen as symbols of strength and power due to their formidable physical presence and ability to survive in harsh environments. This aspect encourages individuals to tap into their inner strength, face challenges head-on, and assert themselves in situations where they may feel vulnerable.
2. Courage and Confidence
The bear totem inspires courage, urging individuals to be bold in pursuing their goals and dreams. It teaches the importance of self-confidence, encouraging people to stand firm in their beliefs and values, even when faced with adversity.
3. Healing and Protection
In many traditions, bears are viewed as healers. The bear spirit can signify the need for healing—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and encourages individuals to seek out ways to nurture themselves. This aspect also emphasizes the protective nature of the bear; it reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our well-being and that of others.
4. Introspection and Solitude
Bears are known for their solitary behavior, particularly during hibernation periods. This reclusive nature symbolizes the need for introspection and self-reflection. The bear teaches us that taking time alone can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding of our inner selves.
5. Grounding Energy
As creatures deeply connected to the earth, bears symbolize grounding energy. They remind us to stay rooted in reality while navigating life’s challenges, encouraging a balance between our ambitions and our responsibilities.
6. Connection with Nature
The bear is a powerful reminder of our connection with nature and its cycles. It encourages respect for the natural world and highlights the importance of living harmoniously within it.
7. Duality of Nature
While bears represent strength, they also embody gentleness—especially maternal instincts in species like the black bear or polar bear caring for their cubs. This duality teaches us about balance: being strong yet gentle, fierce yet nurturing.
In summary, the bear animal totem serves as a multifaceted symbol that encompasses strength, courage, healing, introspection, grounding energy, connection with nature, and duality in character traits.
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