It's International Bear Day today and I was inspired to draw the Holy Mother Bear Artio today.



For those who don't know, Artio is the Celtic Goddess of Bears, Transformation, and Abundance. She is usually depicted in the form of a female bear but can also appear as a women. She is a protector of the natural world like a true mama bear. Evidence of her worship was found in Switzerland and the only remaining statue of her can be found in a museum in the Swiss city of Bern, which is a city known for it's large bear history as the city was established after hunting a bear and the town had a large bear pit that kept live bears like a zoo.



Bears are the most sacred animal to humankind. Bears would survive harsh winters by hibernating and pregnant she-bears would even give birth during this time and wake up in the spring with newborn cubs to take care of.



May Artio bless you and watch over you like she does her cubs.



Positive Comments about Artio and bears are always acceptable. However, Proselytizing is forbidden and those comments will be removed.