I really like this dream and feel it's important. I went looking for info on bears as totems (as I really feel the bear is totemic for you now that you've had this dream) - there was a strong emphasis on the hibernation aspect of the bear and the need to go within - it surprised me that so many other significant aspects of bear didn't seem to figure in these interpretations.

So when I went back just now and re-read your dream I noticed something right away. Patchy snow.

I think your dream is doing a kind of reversal of the bear-in-hibernation thing. The bear has *been* hibernating, but now it's awake. In the dream you yourself actually go into a kind of shelter in which one can hibernate, to get away from the now-active bear, just in case. But the bear goes right for you, and in the spontaneous actions of this bear, he's going to get you out of that little shelter of yours, even if it's piece by piece.

And of course, in this hemisphere anyway, it's now spring time. Time to come out of hiding and sleep.

It's got a combined tone of play (like a kid bouncing on a bed saying wake up! wake up! while you pull the covers over your head and say nooooooo, not yet) and danger. Consequences for not making a strong move. There are so many times when an energy can work for you for awhile, and then against you later--a dual aspect. The fact that you weren't scared of the bear, other than intellectually (enough to get into shelter just in case), and that you felt no menace from the bear, shows alignment with the bear. So I think you're sending the alert to yourself to get up, get out, make a move, get on with your life. Hope something there will be helpful.

So while I don't have a firm interpretation of the dream, it seems that

My 1st thought was Bear medicine . . . it didn't seem like a bad omen, just a lesson . . .



The Bear

There are several types of bear including the Grizzly, Brown, Black, Kodiak and Polar. Bear has played a prominent role in many Native cultures. They are considered to be a highly desired ally and spirit helper because of its fearless power. It is believed that the power of Great spirit lives through this animal. Because of this a constellation was named for it, Ursus Major, The Great Bear. Some tribes prayed for medicine dreams that would show bear to be their guide. Others felt the bear was too powerful a medicine and would only hunt them if it meant not starving.

In some traditions bear is the spirit keeper of the West. The place of maturity and good harvest. The gifts that bear offers to those with this totem are strength, introspection and knowledge.

Unlike other animals who are active during a specific time of day, the bear is active both day and night. This symbolizes its connection with solar energy, that of strength and power, and lunar energy, that of intuition. It enhances and teaches those with this totem how to develop both within themselves.

Bear can sometimes be too quick to anger and too sure of it own power. While they have little to fear they can forget caution, which is an important trait to have. If bear is your totem be careful that you don't throw your caution to the wind. Being unaware of your limits in certain settings can be disastrous.

Many years ago while hiking in the woods I was surprised to meet a black bear face to face. As it stood before me the power that the bear held intimidated me. Fears surfaced and I was sure I was going to die. I rose my arms high over my head appearing larger than I was. Because I created an illusion of size and strength my life was spared. The bear watched, dropped down onto all four legs and slowly moved away. Bear taught me the importance of appearance by gathering my inner strength and presenting it outwardly.

During the winter bears spend several months sleeping in dens without eating, a condition that resembles hibernation. The more fat their bodies have stored up the deeper the sleep. Bears live on this fat throughout the winter. It teaches us how to go within and find the resources necessary for our personal survival.

The bear holds the teachings of introspection. When it shows up in your life pay attention to how you think, act and interact. Use discernment in all that you do and discriminate with care. Bear teaches you how to make choices from a position of power.

I had a bear dream when I was very young and it frightened me so much that I still remember it vividly.

I was in a tree in our backyard with some friends and there were little robots and things about and a general feeling of warning and danger. I ignored it and carelessly came down from the tree along with all my friends.

The bear came from out of nowhere and chased us. Even though we were already running, it gained on us and my friends got away but I was the slowest one and the last thing I saw was it's huge mouth opening and my thoughts of "oh my gosh ... I can't believe it actually happened to me. I didn't think it was really possible for that to happen."

I had vastly underestimated it and not taken my running seriously. I had repeatedly turned back to giggle.

That feeling of someone walking on your grave hit a nerve with me regarding that dream!
It still sends a chill down my spine. I still can't believe it actually got me. It really got me too. The detail of the inside of that mouth is pretty severe.