This year, the onset of autumn has been felt keenly, and the seasonal adjustment has been surprisingly difficult. Among our team at EMU, there’s been a collective, almost Canute-like desire to hold back the change, if only for a little while longer—an unwillingness to pull on the big jumper and sturdy boots, and to say a final goodbye to what was a long, hot summer.
As the sunshine disappears, so too do the fiercest memories of it: the worst moments of that baked air when it was impossible to enjoy being outside on the East Marsh. The concrete prevalence and lack of canopy cover creates a heat island that makes the summer hard to manage. But even knowing that, it is still difficult to let go of the long days and balmy evenings and embrace the sudden drop of night, the cooler air, and—at least in my case—a profound desire to be in bed by 9:00 pm. The change of the clocks to Greenwich Mean Time has only deepened that strange seasonal grief that comes with the reduction in the light.
The Call of the Inner Animal
Now, as November approaches, I am finally in the process of putting the garden to bed for the winter, reaching for woolly socks and jumpers, and accepting the season’s inevitability. In doing so, I find myself connecting deeply with my inner bear.
It is too easy to forget our animal self and the powerful effect that seasonal change has on us, yet we ignore these things at our peril. We have an animal nature and are part of an ecosystem that is seasonal and demands different things of us at different times. We are simply not the same being in May as we are in October. Understanding this better can help us transition between the seasons with greater ease and acceptance.
I feel that my shadow has changed shape; walking beside me now is the she-bear. She is getting closer, and as I finally let go of summer, she and I will integrate and ready ourselves for the winter. As I grow older, the she-bear becomes a much more important archetype for me in terms of what she represents on a symbolic and psychic level.
Finding Sanctuary with the Mother Bear
Identifying with the Mother Bear archetype as winter approaches is rich with meaning, especially around the concepts of introspection, fierce protection, nurturing, and renewal. The Bear is strongly linked to winter through the concept of hibernation.
Here is what I believe this connection is asking of me:
A Need for Deep Introspection and Rest: The bear’s retreat into the den is a symbol of a profound need for solitude and turning inward. As winter settles, I am feeling a clear pull to slow down, disengage from external demands, and dedicate time to self-reflection and inner work. Hibernation isn’t just sleep; it’s a period where accumulated resources gestate. I feel I am processing the year’s experiences, allowing them to transform into wisdom and deeper self-awareness. New ideas are gestating, much like a mother bear gives birth in the quiet of the den.
Fierce Protection and Strong Boundaries: The Mother Bear is a symbol of unwavering protection. Aligning with her suggests an awakening of my instinct to guard my boundaries, my loved ones, and my most vulnerable projects against external threats or distraction. This protection also extends to my internal world. I am ready to defend my need for quiet time, my emotional well-being, and my right to rest against the busy, often over-scheduled demands of the world.
Connection to the Earth’s Cycles: The bear’s re-emergence in spring with new cubs is a symbol of renewal. Honouring the she-bear means honouring the natural cycle of life and rebirth. I understand that this period of “darkness” and withdrawal is necessary for a potent and energetic re-emergence when spring finally arrives. I am seeking to tap into that primal strength, resilience, and grounded presence that the bear embodies.
The she-bear archetype calls to me before winter as an invitation to honour my body’s need to slow down, to fiercely protect my inner space, and to trust that great wisdom and new life will emerge from the quiet, restorative darkness of the season.
However you are this season, I hope peace, rest and quiet will come to you.
Josie Moon 