Bear Bones: Stories from the Ancient Cult of the Bear
Sat 09 May
|The Old Courtroom, Forres Tolbooth
Bears have been amongst some of the most worshipped animals. Bear Brides, Bear caves, sons of Bears. Hear a story about how the first Bear came to be. Meet Artemis for whom the Bear was a sacred animal. Enter a Bluebeard-like Bear Cave and all the darkness that was hidden within.
Time & Location
09 May 2026, 19:30 – 21:30
The Old Courtroom, Forres Tolbooth, 80 High St, Forres IV36 1NX, UK
About the Event
Bears, revered and feared for their strength and power, have been worshipped in 'Bear Cults' over Ancient Europe and the World since Palaeolithic times. Bears bridge the worlds between spirits and humans, and they can step in and out of both worlds. Through them, we too have access to other worlds.
Bear and Woman are similar. Coming of age rituals for girls involved withdrawal from society, a transformation and the return to society, the girl now a woman - ready for marriage and motherhood. This mirrors that of the bear: hibernation, transformation as the pregnant bear retreats to her den, and the bear emerging from winter, now a mother with cubs to look after.
"Scheherazade of the Scottish Highlands."
"Enchanting and gorgeous. Grown-ups need stories too!"
"Beauty on every level and every sense! I was completely mesmerised and so inspired. It seemed to shift something in me that was beyond words or intellect."
"We need these stories, and you have the tender, yet fierce grace to honour them and bring them to us. Thank you."
In Bulgarian culture, the Bear has the power to heal, protect from illness and bring fertility, and there is a day dedicated to bears when . the myth of how the first Bear came to be are told, a wondrous story that you will get to hear. You will also hear the tale of Artemis, the Greek Goddess of the hunt and women, and her nymph Callisto the beautiful, whose fate was was determined by the trickery and violence of one great God. We will go down a dark Bear cave, in a Bear-Bluebeard kind of a tale, where the quick wit and bravery of one woman is the only light around.
Bear photos above by Charles Fréger in Wilder Mann, depicting bear rituals across Greece, France, Romania and Spain. Photos of Nana by Ollie Denney and Mark Jonston.
Suitable for adults and 14+
Story Cautions: These stories contain descriptions of threat, violence, cannibalism, murder, sex, rape, and death, contextualised within a paradigm of mythic narrative, archetype and metaphor
Practicalities: The Courtroom is on the first floor. The venue accessible by stairlift but cannot be accessed by those who are wheelchair bound. The nearest car park is Tulloch Park, Forres, IV36 1AY (behind the Town Hall). On street parking may be available. The event will be in two halves, with a comfort break half way through. Please note that refreshments will not be provided.
Tickets
Standard
From £10.00 to £12.00
£12.00
+£0.30 ticket service fee
£10.00
+£0.25 ticket service fee
Total
£0.00