The Great Bear card from the Wildwood Tarot deck holds a significant position within the cyclical framework of the Wheel of the Year. Located specifically at the winter solstice on December 21, this card represents the archetype of Judgment, yet it diverges from traditional religious imagery. Instead of focusing on moral condemnation, The Great Bear emphasizes the fundamental laws of evolution, cause and effect, and the inherent fairness of nature. It serves as a guardian of the forest path, overseeing the transition between death and revival, and offers profound insights into the process of healing, transformation, and the inevitability of change.
This card invites individuals to look beyond the fear of tribulation and the misleading views often associated with judgment. It suggests that the universe operates on principles much simpler and more practical than human morality. By understanding these principles, one can navigate life’s transitions with greater wisdom and emerge renewed.
The Position and Elemental Influence of The Great Bear
The Great Bear is intrinsically linked to the Winter Solstice, marking the darkest point of the year before the gradual return of the light. This positioning highlights themes of hibernation, introspection, and the quiet preparation for rebirth.
Elemental Association
- Element: Earth The grounding nature of the Earth element anchors the card’s energy, emphasizing stability, practicality, and the physical reality of cause and effect. It suggests that transformation is not merely a spiritual concept but a tangible process rooted in the natural world.
The Dark Sun and the Gatekeeper
The imagery of the "dark sun" associated with this card symbolizes the hidden light that persists even in the darkest times. The Great Bear acts as a gatekeeper, holding the power of life and death over those who break natural laws. It guards the connecting path between the physical world and the "another world" indicated by the constellation, guiding the individual on their search journey.
Visual Symbolism and Imagery
The description of The Great Bear card provides rich visual symbolism that aids in its interpretation. The scene is set between two yew trees, ancient symbols of death and rebirth, framing an ancient tomb that serves as a connecting path.
- The Polar Bear: Above the tomb, a polar bear is depicted cowering and observing. This represents the primal, instinctual nature of the guardian. It commands respect and signals that the transition is serious and governed by ancient laws.
- The Tomb and Rocky Soil: Missionaries (or the seeker) are taken to a resting place, buried in rocky soil. This imagery reinforces the concept of being planted in the earth to undergo a necessary period of rest and healing, protected by the magical guards of the tomb.
- The Constellation: The Great Bear constellation stands out against the sky, explicitly indicating the entrance to another world. This celestial connection underscores the universal scale of the card’s message.
The Meaning of Judgment: Beyond Morality
A central theme of The Great Bear is the redefinition of judgment. The source material explicitly states that traditional and political religion has no existence between right and wrong in the context of this card’s judgment. The judgment that takes place during the time of rebirth is described as "inner judgment or inner thought" and "outward and universal manifestation."
The Law of Cause and Effect
The card emphasizes that the law of evolution and cause and effect influences the judgment of the universe more than human morality. This is a shift away from guilt and sin toward a recognition of natural consequences. * Nature’s Fairness: Nature is described as "extremely fair" and not hating anyone. If an individual wastes their life in pursuit of glory or boastful desires, leaving a painful void of despair and indignation, the consequences are natural and inevitable. * Ecosystem Balance: On a collective level, if humanity misuses the ecosystem and wastes resources, nature will find a way to regain balance. This reflects the concept of karma—the universe has a very long memory, and nothing is forgotten.
The Cage of Guilt vs. The Divinity of Forgiveness
While the card acknowledges the weight of past actions, it also offers a path out of the "prison of sin" or "cage of guilt." The keywords associated with The Great Bear include "the divinity of forgiving." The process of judgment requires honesty—being frank, altruistic, and patient. It involves an assessment of personal situations and the process of forgiveness. Whether dealing with an individual problem or a societal decision, honesty is essential for the transformation to be within reach.
The Process of Transformation and Rebirth
The Great Bear represents a period of profound change where the old self is stripped away to make room for the new. This is often a challenging process, described as the "sleep of the just" or hibernation.
Healing Through Adversity
After experiencing challenges and adversity, the missionary gains new strength and wisdom. The card acts as a guardian for souls who have been stripped bare of ego and the past. It protects them as they hibernate, allowing the healing process to complete. * The Outcome: The result is a "new, whole, resurrected person" waiting to meet the oncoming spring with full energy and joy. This cycle of death and rebirth is central to the card’s message of renewal.
Keywords and Extensions
The essence of The Great Bear can be summarized through its associated keywords: * Rebirth and Reincarnation * Memory of the Universe * The Truth Cannot Be Denied * Fair Hands (Cosmic Law) * Rules of the Galaxy * Retribution (What goes around comes around) * The Holiness of Altruism
Guidance for the Seeker
When The Great Bear appears, it signifies that a day of judgment and reckoning has arrived. It urges the individual to look at their recent behavior and ask, "What have you sown that you are yet to reap?" The card forces a confrontation with the self, where no one else can make decisions, take blame, or be responsible for the individual.
Navigating Change
Change is coming, and how one deals with it is a matter of personal choice. The options presented in the imagery—run, roar, or lie down and play dead—represent different instinctual responses to fear and transformation. However, the card urges the seeker to rely on instinct and cunning to navigate the situation.
The Role of Honesty and Altruism
To survive the transformation and emerge renewed, the seeker must be honest with themselves and others. Altruism and patience are highlighted as virtues that align with the universal laws of fairness. By educating oneself and understanding the nature of these laws, one can learn to live elegantly and respect both humanity and nature. This alignment leads to a life enriched by the joy and beauty of the universe.
Comparative Context: The Great Bear in Tarot
While The Great Bear is specific to the Wildwood Tarot, it corresponds to the Judgment card in traditional Tarot decks. The source material compares it to the Rider Waite and Linestrider versions. * Rider Waite: Depicts naked figures rising from graves toward an Archangel, emphasizing a more religious, traditional view of resurrection. * Linestrider: Features an angel blowing a horn of awakening, focusing on reevaluation and opening the heart to new possibilities.
The Wildwood Tarot’s The Great Bear differs by removing the religious hierarchy and focusing on the raw, natural laws of the universe and the ecosystem. It is less about being judged by an external deity and more about the internal and natural consequences of one’s actions.
Conclusion
The Great Bear in the Wildwood Tarot is a powerful symbol of the winter solstice, representing the necessary darkness before the return of light. It teaches that judgment is not a punitive act of morality but a practical application of universal laws such as karma and cause and effect. By embracing honesty, facing the consequences of past actions, and submitting to the healing process of hibernation, the individual can emerge renewed and whole. The card serves as a reminder that while the universe never forgets, it also offers the opportunity for rebirth and the enrichment of life through a harmonious relationship with nature and the self.