The octopus shapeshifted into Bear energy to sit in the Green Tent under the topic of “Animal Wisdom”, invited by Kristin Raphaela Otti. The call had been very strong in the growing relationship between the three co-creators of the storytelling events. 
 
In accompanying the preparation for a seminar titled “The Call of the Otherworld” and holding energy during the seminar at the same weekend, the connection to this energy of Bear deepened and brought back old energies and good memories - good memories of my own spiritual path, the first steps into listening to the call from the “otherworld” - spirits that show up and give advice. 

At the given time, when nature says goodbye to winter and spring appears, “Beltaine/Beltane” had been celebrated in the old days. The hibernation of the bear also comes to an end. 
 
Really? Everywhere?
 
Touching the energy of Bear, it is becoming obvious, that not all bears are the same, but that there are different bears all over the world. They appear in different landscapes and when they adapt to their environment and the ground they are walking on, they change in appearance and size. Cave bears are very big, as are polar bears, then there are different colors, black, brown, white and mixed.

​Their behavior changes as well and when it comes ot nutrition, they adapt to their habitat. Some are good swimmers and ocean hunters like the white furred and black skinned polar bear, walkers of long distances that do not hibernate. Some are very good at climbing trees like the koalas and they thrive on eating bamboo. Others eat nuts and berries, seal or fish and in other areas they hunt the big game like moose.  

From the perspective of shapeshifting and adapting to the environment, the bear is a great example. Nowadays polar bears and brown bears are mating – and looking quite cute, their offspring are spotted like Italian latte macchiato. 

​There was more to digest in the recording of the Storytelling Event of the monthly series of Animal Wisdom Speaks which will be offered in a recorded version soon.
 
During the event I told my story about my journey with this walker between the worlds. A small brown bear appeared as a power animal and brought me from this world to the spirit world. While we were journeying its fur became white – my shamanic capacity growing and my strength and power appearing. The responsibility coming with it is to bring back the gained wisdom into the everyday world. 

The medicines on the altar for the event and the ceremonial talk:
 

• The claw of a polar bear with Tugtupit gem (Greenland)
• The tooth of a brown cave bear (distinct) (Austria)

 
The day after the event further shamanic work had to be done for one of the seminar participants. A clear dream vision made it clear, that the couple that worked together in this regard belong to the ancient “White Snowy Crystal Spotted Bear Clan”, living in caves. 
 
This is another perfect story which is telling a lot about “affidamento” – to entrust oneself to – to trust each other in relationships between women. To be seen in our own power and growth which needs safe spaces, where the power can be shown without frightening each other, without judgment. Belonging to one clan with different abilities and roles is a base for female freedom. 
 
The White Snowy Crystal Spotted Bear Clan is coming back. The story of its journey will be told in another chapter of the archives, which is still to open. 

Stand up, raise yourself to your full height and calmly look your challenge in the eyes. Feel the gentle warmth of your fire, your hearth, your sanctuary. Trust, that you carry all you could ever need within. Know it with all your heart.

Look! Can you feel, how your challenge is growing smaller and smaller by the heartbeat?

​Invite abundance into your life now, feel it in every breath you take. Feel the gentle fire, feel home inside yourself.

Der Eisbär möchte dich an deine eigenen Stärken erinnern. Wenn dich das Leben herausfordert, ruhe in dir. 
​

Blicke deiner Herausforderung in die Augen und zeige dich in deiner vollen Größe. Sei dir deiner Kraft bewusst. ​
​

Atme bewusst ein und aus, spüre deine innere Wärme, deine innere Sicherheit. Vertraue darauf, dass du alles, was du brauchst in dir hast.

​Merkst du, wie die Herausforderung kleiner wird? Lade nun die Fülle in dein Leben ein! Spüre die Geborgenheit, die dich umhüllt. 

Sometimes being introduced to an animal’s energy field within the shamanic practice seems to be very easy. A lot of healers, teachers and artists are freely sharing their experiences, creating card sets and beautiful art work. You can choose a card in ceremony  and read the thoughts and teachings of somebody else. 

To experience an animal’s energy on its own in wilderness or on a shamanic journey or a clear dream for me is totally different - when one is totally aware of the moment given. Animals appear in special unforgettable moments, in dreams and visions. They appear in unusual shapes and are able to speak and to communicate on a level which is truly ‘the unseen world’. No-one beside yourself is seeing it and making the individual experience - very intimate and privately - and always precise - if you listen. 

Bear energy for me is one of the special experiences I had. At a given moment I needed advice on which path to walk on to come into my power. On a shamanic drum journey I asked my helping spirits for advice. Until that point I had known a little brown bear from my prior experiences, a bit like ‘Baloo the Bear’ in the ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling, a really funny bear, always looking for honey bees, playful and joyful. 
​
On this specific journey the bear spirit appeared and I was invited to ride on his back. He instantly started running. He ran through forests without looking right or left, just straight ahead, as if he had a specific route and path to follow. 

The landscape changed and woods became Tundra, so it seemed that our journey had turned North. Finally the Tundra ended as well and the ocean appeared right in front of us. In between the brown bear had changed his fur color and become white. At the ocean he stepped onto ice and like a boat this ice moved north. ​

Bear has always spoken to me. From childhood piles of stuffed animals which grew into adulthood studies to deepen my understanding of the creature, a lifelong energy has tethered me to this medicine. 
 
A collector’s obsession to family and friends was really an internal seeking for teachers on my part. Each bear related object I gathered told me a different story in a larger narrative. Posters, books, and sculptures made my room into a den. I developed a bed time ritual to carry me to Dreamtime where I could sit with my relations and be filled with their wisdom. 
 
Of course, I had a pendant. I wore it for many years while raising young children. I was the embodiment of a Mama Bear, protecting their choices and encouraging their explorations. I walked the world with thick skin, sharp claws, and a ready growl. I shook off the barbs of the world and maintained my cave to my liking. 

But time flows onward and my bluster turned to determination, then lagged into exhaustion. My winter stores were empty. My fur became faded and patchy. I couldn’t keep organized the baskets of day to night, food or tools, anger or sorrow.  I needed to rest. 
 
So I returned to Bear teachings. I remembered the need for a season of rejuvenation. I reduced my world to vital systems. I reached for the voice deep inside that knew the way to equilibrium and reminded me of myself. I took on the slower lumber of a patient bear picking tiny berries. I yawned widely when in public and went home to sleep. 

Then came a season of recklessness and disconnect. I went beyond the veil of balanced bear and into the realm of near madness. The feral side left a trail of broken things and vague dreaminess. I raced into the woods seeking any burrow to contain my angst and hide it from myself. Somewhere in the forest must be a doorway to the underworld where I could disappear.  But that is a harsh futility to chase. 

One winter day as the snow receded, I smelled Bear.  I hunkered against a tree and heard Bear. In the wild place of my soul, I knew a meeting was in store.  I felt the shift coming and I would either remain disheveled, falling deeper into the chasm of despair or I would smooth my pelt and return fully to my cubs. 
 
Several times in the coming weeks I chased up Bear in the woods. I wasn’t tracking necessarily, but I sat by the waterhole where he would visit. I followed the deer trails where his signs were displayed. Mostly, it was the lingering smell that coaxed me out of my stupor and into fresh awareness that healing had taken place despite my avoidance. 

​Then there was a frightening episode involving one of my children. Sparing the details, I can say it worked out well enough but, during that strange night of discovery and crisis control, I spent time howling in the forest like the wounded animal I had become. My ache was finally shaken loose and released to the dark in sounds humans rarely make. 
 
But Bear heard me. 
 
I’m not certain anymore how many days between that night and his visit, but it wasn’t long before I woke in the predawn hours to the sound of digging in my garden. I heard the pallets of my compost pile moving around. The breath caught in my throat when he snuffed and sneezed less than ten feet from my window, which was open a crack to let in spring air. 
 
In an instant, all the years of teachings flew together in my heart. I watched his furry shoulders work at the stones around the garden as he searched for snacks. I smiled when he crunched the freshly thawed lobster shells from our discarded New Years feast. I snuck to the back door for a better view. As I pushed aside the curtain as silently as possible, he of course heard me anyway. Our eyes met and with a final swipe at the meager garden findings, he lumbered towards the woods, pausing to scratch an ear with his teenaged paw. 
 
I have lived most aspects of Bear now from a naive cub to a seasoned mother.  I watch my offspring fledge and look forward to the gentle years of crochet and music in my now quiet home. The sleepy groan of comfort is not far from me these days and I am grateful. But the hot breath of a dangerous bite lingers on my neck too. 
 
Bear invites us to the mystical spaces within a soul. These are the places where Dreams and Truths wait. Only in eating the divine honey will we accept our inner most knowing and be able to reclaim ourselves. Whether I am roaring in defense or sadness, digging for food or shelter, settling in for contemplation or work, I know the strength of this beast is beside me. 
 
I enjoy the cozy heartbeat when I have lost my song.  I borrow the tough walking shoes to keep moving forward. I stand with generations of Bear knowledge ready to embrace the lessons I must learn. I walk with Bear to remain solid in my faith. I listen to know when I need a drink of dreaming from the Cave.
 
To everything there is a season and Bear guides me through them all.