BEAR MEDICINE

I ride into a dangerous looking town.

As I head down a street, I am attacked from behind by a big male black bear.

He jumps up at me, clawing into the bottom of my back.

He then jumps on my bike behind me, continuing to attack.

I stop and turn around to face him on the floor and tell him- “NO!”- projecting authority and confidence.

He listens and becomes gentle and docile.

We walk away side by side.

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I work with Bear a lot… my work with dreams being one of their realms…

Amongst many things, the Bear is linked to anger, boundaries and authority.

In my dream, the Bear is symbolising my anger, (especially about the masculine/relating/inner masculine, illustrated by the fact that the Bear is male.)

And the damaging effects it can have when it becomes out of control.

The way it not only tears at life,

But tears at my self and my body.

But I learnt in the dream, that despite the size, strength and power of the anger (the Bear),

I can claim my space,

I can claim my energy back.

What was so stressful and damaging,

Can become an ally.

The He-Bear can walk beside me as an embodiment of my self-respect, boundaries, strength, vitality, intuition… and more…

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He was asking me to set boundaries,

Not only in my life but with myself;

My actions and reactions.

He wanted me to show him that I have my OWN strength;

Outside of the forces of anger.

When I did,

He took his place at my side.

I was ready to walk with the Bear.

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Pic by Mark Dumont