Black Bear

Awakening the Power of the Unconscious

Virtual Workshop
September 11 - 13, 2020

Ursus Major, the great Bear constellation includes the seven stars of the big dipper and they are linked to the seven great rays of light of the Divine. It has lunar symbology giving it ties to the sub- and un-conscious mind. It was an animal associated with the goddess Diana, a goddess of the moon. It also symbolizes alchemy, the nigrescence of prime matter. It relates to all initial stages and primal instincts.

The bear teaches how to go within to find the resources necessary for survival. It can teach you to draw upon all of your inner stores of energy and essence even those which have never been tapped or accessed. Meditating and working with bear will help you to go within your soul's den—your inner sanctum—to find your answers.

In the winter, the bear's kidneys shut down completely. Metaphysically, the kidneys are symbols of discernment and discrimination. If bear has shown up in your life, ask yourself some important questions. Is your judgment off? How about those around you? Are you not recognizing what is beneficial in your life? Are you not seeing the core of good, deep within all situations? Are you being too critical of yourself or others? Are you wearing rose-colored glasses? Bear medicine can teach you to go deep within so that you can make your choices and decisions from a position of power.

Bears love trees. The tree is a powerful and ancient symbol. It is a natural antenna, linking the Heavens and the Earth. As bear teaches you to go in and awaken the potentials inherent, the tree serves as a reminder that we must bring what we awaken out into the world and apply it—make our marks with it. Anyone with a bear totem should keep the cub in themselves alive and occasionally climb trees—if only to get a clear perspective.

It is important to not hide away and hibernate all year-round. You must come out of the den. This is reflected in the birthing process where birth occurs in Winter and Spring brings a departure from the den. It often reflects a need to go deep within yourself, to have periods in your life when you can be more reclusive. During these times, you will be able to go within yourself and even give birth to two or three ideas or projects. They can be nursed through the winter and then as spring approaches emerge with your babies to help them grow. Those who have a bear as a totem will find this cycle very natural. They will also find that with the spring will come opportunities to act more assertively in regard to that which has been nursed through the winter months. Bear people should be patient, as cubs will usually stay for two years. This can reflect that those projects may not come to fruition until the second year of the cycle. Also, black bears can be very playful, both as adults and as young cubs. This is a reminder for those with the black bear as a totem.

All bears are find of honey. Honey is the natural sweetness of life. It is usually found in the hives, located in trees, again reflecting a connection between bears and trees. It is a reminder for those with this totem to go within to awaken the power, but only by bringing it out into the open and applying it will the honey of life be tasted.

Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

Who Should Come

All interested parties with journey experience.

Details

The workshop will be done in four segments of 3 and 4 hours. With frequent breaks as you remind me of the need. The tentative schedule is as follows.

  • Friday 12-4 PM CST (1-5 PM EST)
  • Saturday 9-12 and 1-5 PM CST (10-1 and 2-6 PM EST)
  • Sunday 9-1 CST (10-2 EST)

Daily Links

I will send a zoom link prior to each of the four sessions. These will be different links each day as I will record the sessions and all four recorded sessions will be made available after the workshop as a link.

The fee for the workshop is $325. Class materials will be provided prior to the workshop includes presentation slides, workshops, and exercises. You will receive 2 black bear claws and two meditation stones. Class size is limited to 21.

What to Expect

Each segment will have a guided meditation, some teaching, an exercise, and processing in breakout groups and community.

Please make yourself comfortable. A journal with colored pencils or pens is encouraged as well as any comforts such as blankets, pillows, etc.

Contact

For further information, kindly call Herb @ 440-338-1705 or email Lisa Roll Kayser at kayseroll23@gmail.com to reserve a space in the circle.

Please send a check, payable to Herb Stevenson, 9796 Cedar Road, Novelty, Ohio 44072 or use PayPal link below. Once paid-in-full you will receive info on your stay at Camp Asbury.

We will limit attendees to 21.