Dancing Bear Medicine Circles The mission of the Dancing Bear Medicine Circle is to lead you to greater balance in body, mind and spirit. The Circle opens you to the power of the Bear Totem. The Bear is a creature of dreams, astral travel, visionaries, mystics and shamans. It is a powerful totem for awakening the power of the unconscious mind. Bear's wisdom includes: healing, introspection, transformation, patience, wisdom, balance & harmony.
One who is part of the Dancing Bear Medicine Circle has the power of the Bear. Bear Energy will see enhanced leadership abilities, wisdom and fearlessness in defense; a better sense of self control allowing one the ability to use will-power to not speak when angered. Balance, harmony and strength are also all part of this noble totem's magic.The Bear helps you to possess the following virtues: Right words and advice, calm reflective-ness, leadership abilities, courage to do what is right, medicine magic, natural healing powers, shamanistic abilities, strong family values, devotion, reserved power, fearlessness in defense, and introspection.
Shaman Medicine women and men are being told "Now is the Time" to strengthen the Powers of Integration " to join together in knowledge and wisdom of the heart. During these circles, individuals are strangers one moment, and in the process of joining together, they find strengths and resources never before imagined. Each person has a key that opens up a door for another. In the Circle we share our keys and help open each others wisdom doors. After the circle experience, participants share common ground or common yearnings. In some people, this happens rapidly; in others slowly. The time of being a lone Wolf or a lone Bear is over and we are gathering ourselves for the changes and transformations needed in our own lives and in our world. We make these changes ...a step at a time, a Circle at a time.
Man's Special Relationship to the Bear
There are many stories and teachings about Bear mythology, ceremonies, and practices. When we speak of "Bear" it is important to remember that this is not a specific bear but a primal female archetype. This She Bear archetype came into the World before humans and human female archetypes. The She Bear carries all qualities, all cycles, and wisdom of the Woman's Way of Knowing in shamanism.
During Dancing Bear Medicine Circles our Spirit Guides continue to teach us in the ways of Bear Medicine.Past history indicates that Bear is the Teacher and the speaker for all animals. Bears are honored and respected by spiritualists the world over. Bears are known to impart pure and right wisdom and nothing profane will ever come from the noble Bear. Therefore they are trusted advisers in the spiritual world. According to Indian myths about the Council of Animals, it is She Bear that imparts to each animal their special powers and assigns their roles. She is considered the Supreme Keeper of the Wilderness (of nature)... The Tlingit people (Northwest Coast, USA), believe the Bear is the Great Mother who gave birth to all of the animals. She is called Animal Mother, Bear Mother or as Strong One Mother.At the beginning of the world Bear Mother gave each animal its form. She mothered them and protected them. She taught them what food to eat and how to get along.
In the Dancing Bear Medicine Circles we focus on Bear Medicine, or our relationship to all animals, all beings: above, below, and within. And it is said that the She Bear or Mother Bear has promised to renew our understanding about how to live in this world if we come and spend some time with her. Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, Bear has always been considered the Supreme Physician in all the Realms. In the Dancing Bear Medicine Circle we are blesses with becoming part Bear"that's what the circle is all about: we are part Bear; we partake in Bear's essence
Interesting Fact:
Several California prehistoric burial sites indicate the Bear has always had a special place in mankind’s heart. The picture at the right is from a burial site. At this site a bear cub and a child are buried together. The bear was buried directly behind and parallel to the child and with the arms of the cub surrounding the child. A large acorn pestle was found in the hand of the child (which may indicate the child was a female since evidence indicates that women did the grinding of the acorns to produce food). A number of shell and stone beads were found in the area of the child’s neck and chest. The beads are of a style which allowed them to give this site an approximate date of 1500 A.D. Such burial sites, found throughout California, and similar sites of human and bear skeleton remains together, found throughout the world, remind us not of mankind’s human’s special relationship with Bear.
What do we do in Dancing Bear Medicine Circle?
Circle Format
We begin the circle by calling in spirits then drumming and rattling to raise energy. We do one or two journeys and close with a prayer circle. In circles we build upon the journey skills we have and deepen our connections to our power animals and teachers.
We have a shamanic journey circle every new moon other evening, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. We begin with a short drumming meditation at 6:30, so early arrival is suggested. Our purpose is to learn more about and experience the shamanic journey, how it can be used for healing and guidance in everyday living. We also explore a variety of topics of contemporary shamanic practice. Ours is an open circle. Beginners are always welcomed. No experience required. $10 per person helps pay for the space and time. Upcoming Circles are usually on the first page of our website, so check there if you have any questions
Preparation
Before the circle begins, the space itself must be prepared. The is done on an outdoor patio by a fresh water Resaca which is only used for spiritual practice such as the circles. This allows for the presence of very clear energy. In the "center" of the patio is a fire pit and Mesa table. The Mesa Table is usually prepared by one or two of the participants with objects such as rocks, candles and plant materials symbolizing the energy and intent of the circle and also the current season. The space is also smudged to cleanse the energy by burning plant material using a combination of copal, cedar, sage, sweet grass and tobacco, and by sweeping the smoke around the area.
Smudging and Group Drumming Once all participants have arrived, each person will be individually smudged. This takes place around an outdoor fire pit. Each person enters the smudge area and then puts their intention into the fire with a handful of tobacco. Usually two others perform the actual smudging using the same materials as for cleansing the circle area. The person's energy field will be swept with the smoke on all sides, and also any instrument they have brought to play.
When a person is smudged they leave the area to start playing a community drum. The first person sets up the beat, and the rest join in one at a time. When no more room is left in the circle to drum the first drummer leaves to make room for another, and so on until everyone is smudged and everyone has drummed.
Elements Of The Circle
Once the smudging and group drumming is completed, all participants settle into their spots. Silver Dancing Bear as facilitator takes up the "west" and another participant acts as "fireman" sitting in the "north" and all other spots open. The circle typically begins with some opening comments from Silver Dancing Bear and whoever prepared the altar. The format and flavor of each circle varies, but some common elements usually take place. Commonly an initial drumming round takes place where each person may play a hand drum or a rattle if they desire. The purpose of this is to help set intention for the circle.
After this drumming round, a "talking stick" or feather is passed around the circle, giving each person an opportunity if they desire to speak about what their current issues or thoughts are that they want to work on in the circle. If one does not feel moved to share they may pass on this as well.
At this point the circle takes a short break and then resumes with several "rounds". These rounds usually evolve from what people have spoken of in the initial round. Some rounds may involve drumming and rattling. Another round may involve shamanic journeying. A shamanic journey basically involves one person drumming a monotone beat while the others relax and "journey" into an altered state of consciousness. A person may journey for themselves, or for an issue spoken of by another. The journey itself may typically last 15-20 minutes, and after its completion those that wish to share any information or visions obtained on the journey may do so. These insights are shared without analysis or judgment, and it is up to the person whom the insight is about to consider how it relates to their own life. I find sometimes these sharings can provide very insightful information, and sometimes can sound quite humorous or entertaining.
Typically a circle may last 1 hour from the very beginning to the end. After all rounds have been completed, and all issues which arose feel to the group like they have been dealt with, the circle draws to a close. Some final chants may be performed, and then all arise and hold hands. Each person hugs each other person as they leave and the circle is then done. At this point we relax and commune over a pot luck meal before heading home.
Conclusion
Some Other Circle Formats In some Circles we will begin by drawing a guide or teacher card with the intention of calling to us a guide who would assist us in removing any blocks that were in our way. Then we journeyed to them.
Other times we will ask for specific healing (personal, for others, for the earth). Sometimes the circles are dedicated to the journey to meet ones true self. This journey is about 18 minutes long and then we go around and share our journeys.
Sometimes we pass two pieces of paper around the circle. People write on the paper the names of everyone and everything they need praying for healing for. Then, in silence, we send energy for about 5 minutes, and then continue to send energy to the names on the paper as we began toning the heart song of AH. Then we connected our heart energy to each of us in the circle, then once again we connected our heart lights to every name on the papers, creating a web of light between ourselves and all those we know who are seeking healing.
Some Circle consist of Shamanic Crafting or creating art and objects that are infused with spirit power. Various craft materials are available along with materials provided from the landscape itself. Shamanic art work can be a profound way of bringing Spirit through, both for making power objects and for reflecting the incredible beauty of other worlds.
If this healing method appeals to your spirit, I urge you to attend a Dancing Bear Medicine Circleat St. Michael’s Sacred Grove Retreat Center. For me, I always leave the circle with a renewed sense of energy and spirit. Sometimes emotional issues are stirred up which then continue on with their inner healing in the days that follow. Each circle is like a "coming home" for me. The circle provides an opportunity to connect with your own spirit at a deeper level, and also to connect with a group of other like-minded people. Each person who attends brings their own special gift of Spirit to the circle.
The Life Empowerment Center is Texas-Mexico Holistic Health resource that focuses on alternative medicine, personal growth, spirituality, and environmental awareness.
557 North Sam Houston, San Benito Texas
(956) 640-4966
