Bear Rattle

The bear is a strong and powerful ally. Deeply protective and fierce while also teaching about loyalty, family love, and evolving with the environment. The bear shows us when to retreat and go within and how to incubate in sacred relationship with the earth. They then teach us how to emerge from the darkness and meet the light a changed being. 

In Siberian shamanic tradition, the Shaman is eaten by the bear until the bones are all that remains. Then once one has allowed everything to go into the Earth, they will be reconstituted, reborn and renewed, looking much the same but being a completely different human. There are even stories of how bears used to live with humans in their homes, occupying one side of the house as bears are another form of person. Without their hair, they look the same as us. 

In Native American traditions the bear means many things. In the Southwest, Pueblo traditions and others believe the bear is the original medicine person. They heal with herbs, hibernation, and supernatural healing powers. Bear can teach and instruct in these ways.

This rattle is a tool to call upon Bear spirit, especially for healing self and others. 

Materials:

Cannonball gourd, carnelians, and osha root. Osha root is often called bear root. It grows at altitude and is what bears eat when they first emerge from the den. It is highly fragrant and is used for respiratory infections, immune support, and cough. This piece smells amazing. 

Bear is sculpted using epoxy clay so you have a strong sturdy piece that will last.  Bear on one side, print on the other.

Copper Tree of Life on handle. Copper seam in handle. Handle is juniper wood. Juniper is a very strong wood that does not rot. Juniper is a cleansing healing herb. 

Inside: Large blue corn, native grown in New Mexico.

One-of-a-kind