Bear Totems

Although bears are thought to be ferocious carnivores, they are actually quite playful and eat less meat than some smaller animals -- supplementing their diets with plants and fruit. Bears are astonishingly swift for their size, running 35-40 mph in short distances.

The most common bear is the black bear. This name can be misleading since some black bears are various shades of brown. The Grizzly is most famous for its ferocious strength but is not aggressive by nature. The largest bear is the Alaskan Brown Bear who is a relatively solitary animal. The "cute" Polar Bear is the most aggressive of all bears -- the best hunter and the most dangerous.

Bear teaches us to respect our natural hibernation cycles. Just as Bear rests during winter and reawakens during spring, we need spaces of rest and rejuvenation. Bear calls us to awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind. Bear reminds us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive.