KEYWORDS

• Power
• Courage
• Physical strength
• Protection
• Authority
• Leadership
• Competition
• Affluence

OVERVIEW

Like the Anchor, the Bear represents strength, power, willpower, reliability, and capability. It characterizes matters with importance and amplifies their significance. The Bear is also about wealth and influence, and can allude to official and legal matters. The power of the Bear is by default neutral as it takes on much of its effect from surrounding cards. Unlike the Anchor, and more like the Mountain, it can exacerbate negative cards, often representing challenge, opposition, competition, or even enemies at play.

IN THE PORTRAIT & GRAND TABLEAU

If the Bear falls on the first or central card position of the nine-card portrait, it advises us to adopt its qualities and offer support to others. It can also indicate that we already possess its traits, that we’re in a position of authority, or that others see us as inspiring but also possibly intimidating. So it warns against imposing ourselves on others. In the central position, it can point to a leader or the chain of command. But with negative cards, it can mean competition or even an enemy.

In the Grand Tableau, happiness, success, strength, and victory in the face of obstacles are ahead when the Bear is near the significator. But when far, envious people might try to get in our way. Surrounding cards enhance or alleviate the effects of the Bear.

ADVICE

The advice of the Bear is to be strong and courageous but not to overlook the chain of command. We must cultivate an increased sense of self-importance, upgrade our standards, lifestyle, professionalism, social status, and polish our profile in general. We must grow to become our own boss by learning from leaders around us.

With regards to health, it advises weight control and tempering indulgences through exercise, proper nutrition, and good discipline. It asks us to be resourceful and to rely on ourselves, while being supportive to others.

CARD COMBINATIONS

WITH THE...

THE COMBINATION MEANS...

ANCHOR

Willpower, achievement, perseverance, facing up to challenge.

BOOK

Knowledge, erudition, experience, an important secret.

CLOVER

Great luck in important affairs, protection, a bonus or windfall, a great boss.

CROSS

Force majeure, emergency, bearing one's cross.

FLOWERS

Success, accomplishment, sensuality.

KEY

Solutions, promotion, success, wealth.

MOUNTAIN

A foothold abroad, someone living abroad, rivalry or a blockage, especially with negative cards.

MOUSE

Loss, persistent irritations. Can mean weight loss.

RING

Support, strong relationships, commitment, promise.

SNAKE

Tact and diplomacy, being roundabout with authority, can mean competition or deception.