Bear Spirit Animal
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.
Symbolism of the bear
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 o 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.
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Alive, the grizzly is a symbol of freedom and understanding….
~ Frank Craighead
Want More Bear Quotes? Click Here!
The spirit of the bear as healer and teacher
Interestingly, in Siberia, the name used to designate women shaman is the same as the word “bear”. In Northern America, in the Inuit tradition, the bear spirit animal is also connected to the shamanic tradition and women.
For the Inuit people, the bear is a strong power or totem animal. In some beliefs, it is said that if an Inuit hunter accepts to be eaten by a bear, he may reincarnate as a shaman and carry the spirit of this animal. The polar bear is considered as the “Wise Teacher” as it shows how to survive in harsh conditions.
The bear, an ancient spirit animal worshiped in many traditions
The bear as a spirit animal or totem is one of the most ancient worshiped animals. Remains of bears have been found in many archeological sites in Europe especially, where bear bones and skulls were found together with human bones dating back to the Neanderthals.
It is said that the Vikings would wear bear skins in times of war to scare off their enemies. They would appear as powerful as these wild animals. Bears symbolize warrior spirit and courage to fight. The bear’s spirit would be invoked to help the warriors in the battle.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the bear was a totem animal associated with the Goddess Artemis and Diana, goddesses of fertility. In contrast, for the Celts, the bear would represent the sun.
The spirit of the bear and healing
Since the bear is often associated with shamans in many traditions, this spirit animal can symbolize healing abilities and stepping into the role of the healer. If the bear shows up in your life, it may also be time to take care of your own needs for healing, whether it’s at the physical, emotional or spiritual level.
Be sensitive to where you are at and reflect on where you would most need healing. You can call on the bear spirit guidance to direct your energy in a more conservative or focused way.
Bear spirit animal and grounding forces
The bear is an animal that lives a solitary life. Having a bear as a spirit animal can mean that you find balance and comfort in solitude. The presence of this power animal could point to the need to “regroup” and set up boundaries, so you feel comfortable in your own space. It may be a call to find time away from the crowd or busyness and favor quiet time and rest.
The bear spirit can also be a great helper to dedicate time and energy to more introspective practices, such as self-inquiry or meditation. Call on the spirit of the bear to help you find your center and ground yourself in a strong foundation that will support you in more busy and noisy times.
Dreaming About Bears
Dreams are our subconscious minds communicating to us using the language of symbols. Dreaming of bears (or a bear) symbolizes power, strength and protection of yourself or possibly your family. If the bear in your dream is hibernating, it may indicate a need for solitude and to get away. If the bear is dancing, it indicates good luck (or you are having flashbacks of one of those many past Grateful Dead shows you went to). If a bear is chasing you, it may mean that you are avoiding a big situation in your life and it is time to take a stand and deal with it. Bear showing up in your dream may also be a message that it is time to show your power to the world.
Meditation to connect with the bear spirit animal
Close your eyes and find a comfy place to sit or lie down. Breathe slowly and deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel the air fill your lungs, then release it – feel any tension leaving your body.
Now imagine that you are in the forest, relaxing on a moss-covered rock by a babbling brook. A large bear emerges from behind a tree, walking cautiously toward you. It sniffs you gently, then moves a little closer and begins to circle around you. Sensing its curiosity and hesitation, you reach out your arm cautiously to stroke its velvety-soft fur.
As the bear moves closer and cuddles up next to you, your heart opens and a wave of deep affection washes over you. You realize that the bear spirit animal is there to help guide and care for you, to ensure that your needs are met in loving support.
In this moment of connectedness, you feel the bear spirit’s strength and power. You also sense its warmth, gentleness and affection. It remains there for a while, helping you reconnect with your inner strength and express your love for yourself.
This spirit animal inspires you to be compassionate and to share love openly with yourself and with others. It shows you the importance of taking care of your needs, as well as supporting the needs of others in a balanced way.
It speaks of the importance of self-care, of taking the time to rest and rejuvenate. It encourages you to seek quiet time for self-reflection.
As you listen to the bear’s message, note any insights or feelings that arise.
Allow yourself to fully absorb the bear’s message and let it guide you on your journey. When you feel ready, slowly open your eyes. Take a deep breath in, and exhale slowly. Remember the bear’s message and take it with you as you go about your day.
An inspiring message from the bear
From the depths of the forest,
I, the bear, call out to you,
Inviting you to tap into your own inner strength,
And to delve deep within yourself to find understanding.
Let go of the worries that weigh you down,
And let my steady presence guide you
As you journey into the depths of your own soul.
Find solace in the stillness of nature,
And let the Earth ground you
As you seek to find clarity and purpose.
Do not be afraid to face your fears,
For I am with you always,
A reminder of your own inner power
And the courage to push through any obstacle.
So heed my call, dear one,
And let us walk this path together,
As you discover your true self,
And the strength that lies within you.
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Find out now with the new Spirit Animal Quiz. This free online quiz will help you find your spirit animal the easy way.
Did a guided meditation where a brown bear walked with me. Found this on the web to determine the meaning and took the quiz….of course the bear came up again…
Thanks
i am a bear
same
With all these silly wesbstei, such a great page keeps my internet hope alive.
weird I got the butterfly totem but lately I’ve been dreaming about bears. I feel like I have some kind of connection with them. I even saw a real bear in my yard a few months back and I wasn’t afraid. I know these quizzes are rather phony and kinda random, which is why I feel more connected to the bear than a butterfly. And here I always thought my spirit animal was the lion or just feline in general.
take the test again, but I’m betting that you are just a very arty, sensitive bear!!! lol!
Butterfly is to let you know you are going through big spiritual growth and transformation. During this process you will find your totems change as new challenges arise, they are always attached to what ever chakra you are working on. You are right to think bear is coming to you, it will stay with you till you move on to the next phase. Remember also, your guides/high self will communicate with you on the most domestic level. Through numbers, dreams, animals, songs you keep hearing in your head. Your eyes are very open and you are seeing what most people miss. Keep it up!!
If u already found ur soulmate, then the bear could be ur soulmate’s spirit protector. My spirit is the Grizzly Bear, but I thot at first it might be the wolf, as I am so drawn to them. I later found out that the wolf is my husband’s spirit protector.
I found out im part Cherokee I new I was more with earth than normal and the bear fits my being the way I am better that Taurus the bull my birthday being may 9 I am stubborn though!!!
My favorite animal has always been the bear, polar bear to be exact! Years ago I bought a book on Indian/spiritual animals it was similar to astrology. To my surprise mine was the bear. Today I decided to take the 5 minute quiz and honestly was skeptical. To my surprise again it was the BEAR!! I take such comfort in this and will stop and slow down to reflect upon this. I think the BEAR can teach me much!
At last some ratitnalioy in our little debate.
My spirit animal is the bear.I found out more about myself,like the fact that the bears diet is fish berries and honey.I love these things!Thanks for the info.
Good points all around. Truly apedtciaepr.
yeet
I did a visualization/meditation practice this morning and the spirit animal that appeared was a bear. At first it came as a polar bear and then it changed into a grizzly. I don’t know what I expected my spirit animal to be but I was surprised it was a bear. I do not know much about the topic of spirit animals and today’s practice was my first so I decided to do some research. I found this site and took the 5 minute quiz and ended with the same answer- bear. I continued on to read the information about the bear spirit animal. And I do identify with it. A lot of things are clicking for me and I think at this moment in my life I am in need of the abilities and guidance of the bear.
I always thought and still do that the bear is my spirit animal, so was surprised to see that it was a turtle! I cannot change how I feel and I know that this bear is with me always. It is hard to tell in a five minute test as sometimes your answers will change with the way you feel about yourself at different times of your life. Blessings x
I can’t remember what site I read it on, but they said that ppl can have more than one spirit guide. If my bookmarks hadn’t mysteriously vanished I could have posted the link to it. Also, it stated that some are non-animal beings, tho can’t recall all of which it listed.
I did the quiz and got the turtle spirit. However I belive the Spirit of the called me one morning. I will look at the spirit of the turtle, but yet feel very inclined to keep the s.o.t.b. close.I need all that he provides
The first novel I read was Clan of the cave Bear. I went on to read the series. Awesome. I wanted to be like Ayla and I actually am. I compare my life to hers and now I see the likeness. The Bear is my Totem. You Bears out there, read the books. They are beautiful. Big love. Dawn xx
I have the bears as my spirit animal ❤
I so thought I was a turtle. Took the quiz and low and behold I got the bear. I love the Clan of the Cave bear series! I guess I need to do more reading about the bear.
Wow, I have just completed the spirit animal quiz and was given The Bear as my totem. I found the site through being curious about the Hummingbird as a spirit animal after receiving a beautiful journal as a gift with one embossed on the cover. Anyway the wow bit comes as I too spent 18mths reading the cave bear series by Jean Auel. I found myself being able to relate to the superwoman persona of Aula, and I would even go as far as to say I could actually identify with what she was going through, it was pure self-indulgent escapism to be on the journey with her. To find out I too have the Bear totem makes me want to re-read the whole series again. What a superhero!!
This is what we need – an insight to make evoeryne think
I got the Bear as well. It makes sense when I look back at certain things in my life. Clan of the Cave Bear is one of my favorites as well, I had only read that one. Perhaps it’s time to go read the series xo
You people are stupid you don’t take a test online!
then how do you know?
Repeatedly meditating with guidance in mind
how do you know we are people ?