Camryn, your dream about fending off against a bear is incredibly rich in symbolism and speaks volumes about your current emotional state and life circumstances. Facing a bear in a dream often represents a confrontation with a powerful force or challenge in your life. Initially, feeling stressed by this encounter suggests that you might be dealing with a situation or emotion that feels overwhelming or intimidating. This could relate to an external challenge, such as a demanding task or an internal struggle, like dealing with intense emotions or fears.
However, the shift in the dream where the bear becomes friendly and you end up petting it is profoundly significant. This transition from fear to friendliness indicates a major transformation in your perspective or approach towards this challenge. It symbolizes your ability to overcome initial anxieties and to find peace or harmony with what once seemed daunting. This could reflect your resilience and adaptability, showing that you have the capacity to turn potentially threatening situations into manageable, even positive experiences.
The bear itself is a potent symbol of strength, courage, and introspection. By petting the bear, you are embracing these qualities within yourself. This part of the dream suggests that you are coming to terms with your own inner power and learning to trust your instincts. It also implies a sense of reconciliation with aspects of yourself or your life that you may have previously found difficult to accept.