Ep. 17: Bear Hickman

In May of 2022, I took a leap of faith and traveled across the country to the Northwest Astrology Conference. I’m grateful for so much of what I learned in that journey, but perhaps most grateful for meeting my new friend Bear Hickman.Bear is an esoteric healer, astrologer, and psychotherapist with her feet solidly on the ground yet her magic is in full view. There is no shortage of f-bombs in this conversation, and we talk about grace, astrology, recovery, and mastectomies… and so much more.This fierce vulnerability is probably what drew me to her in that elevator, and I am so delighted to share our conversation with y’all.Some highlights:✨ The link between addiction, creativity, and spiritual seeking✨ How to recognize and move through spiritual bypassing✨ The sacredness of the body and the power of pleasure✨ How humor and beauty can become spiritual practice✨ What to do when your life falls apart — and how to trust what comes next.We mentioned:* Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa* John Welwood — “spiritual bypassing”* Existential Kink by Carolyn Elliott* Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brownAbout Bear Hickman:Bear (Lauren K. Hickman) is a licensed clinical social worker associate, longtime astrologer, and Reiki teacher. Through Ursidae Integrative Therapy and her Moon Mailer, she helps clients connect the spiritual and the psychological with compassion and humor.🌙 Website: https://ursidae.us/🪐 Substack: ursidae.substack.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ursidae____/Connect with Vera💫 Website: veralester.com✨ Schedule a coaching inquiry: veralester.as.me/coaching-discovery🕯️ Support the podcast: https://veralester.substack.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verarocks/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit veralester.substack.com/subscribe