Dreams about bears are a fairly uncommon theme at bedtime. If you or a loved one has been covering this ground at night, you may have questions about what it all might mean. As part of a Huffington Post series on dreams and their meanings, we spoke to Barbara Condron, B.J., D.D., D.M., author of two dozen dream-related books, including "The Dreamer's Dictionary" and "Every Dream is About the Dreamer," of Windyville, Mo., to get expert advice about the meanings of your or your loved one’s bear dreams. Note: While dream analysis is highly subjective, this post might provide some insight into why this dream occurred or is recurring.
What do dreams about bears mean?In her book, "The Dreamer's Dictionary," Condron translates the dream image of animals as habits. Because bears are animals that exist in the wild, they typically indicate an untamed habit the dreamer may have, she explains.
What can I learn about myself from dreaming about bears?"Dream messages are like conversations," says Condron. "They are feedback on the dreamer's previous day's experience. A bear figuring prominently in your dream will indicate a compulsive way of thinking, speaking or acting that probably contributed to a 'bear of a day'."
Are there any tricks to avoiding or inducing dreams about bears?Condron says that understanding your bear dream is more important than trying to induce or avoid them. Instead of tampering with your dreams, she says, "It's best to receive the message your subconscious mind offers."
Beyond analysis, what cultural symbolism can be found in dreams about this subject?"In the 'Universal Language of Mind' -- the pioneering study conducted at the School of Metaphysics for almost 40 years -- the bear is noted in indigenous cultures that honor and live close to the Earth," Condron tells us. "The bear represents the power of the warrior, often heroic and often dual, being either awake or asleep. This will provide clues into the enduring meaning of the symbol."
Who tends to have dreams about bears most frequently?Dreaming about bears is fairly uncommon, even though many dreams do include animals, says Condron. Wild animals, like bears, are more likely to occur in someone who feels they recently spoke out of turn, acted poorly or participated in some other event where they were "untamed."
Do dreams about bears fighting hold any significance?"Any conflict in a dream points to a disharmony in the previous day's experience," says Condron. "Two bears fighting would symbolize two habits in conflict. For instance, a habit of trustworthiness will find opposition in a habit of gossiping as the two do not coexist successfully."
Barbara Condron, B.J., D.D., D.M., has both taught and written about dreams for the past 50 years. In addition to penning two dozen books, including "The Dreamer's Dictionary" and "Every Dream is About the Dreamer," Condron serves as the coordinator of the National Dream Hotline and is research project director for the College of Metaphysics' Global Lucid Dreaming Experiments. She holds a doctorate in both Metaphysics and Divinity from the School of Metaphysics.