Bear Totem Necklace
I originally made this necklace for myself to invoke Bear's protective power in my life. A few years later, my circumstances had changed and I found that I seldom felt the need to wear it. I was involved in planning a weekend retreat down in Rye, Colorado with a group of women and for some reason, I just knew I couldn't leave home without this necklace with me. One of the activities at the retreat was a Medicine Wheel Ceremony at Arleta's. When we went over for the planning session for the ceremony, Arleta told us a story about a recent experience she had had with a bear (actually) visiting her while she was meditating in the medicine wheel. It had touched her deeply, and as she told the story, I know why I had been impressed to bring the necklace. The necklace had obviously decided it was time for a change of ownership.
The next evening when we all arrived at her place for the ceremony, I had the necklace with me to present to her. When I saw her in her full ceremonial regalia, I was totally blown away. If I had taken her dress with me and bought beads especially to go with it, I couldn't have done a better job of matching the colors.