Bear's Bio
Bear like the Animal, Ryver like water
Bear Ryver
Yes, that's my real name. At least, Bear's what I've been called since 2011, and Ryver (pronounced live river) is my married name.
I spent most of my teens as a passionate and dedicated queer youth activist, and I bring that same mindset to my practice. I believe that knowledge of self is a prerequisite first step in showing up for justice or making positive change in the world. Over the years, I've found that one of the ways I can best help to that end is by helping folks like you remember just who TF you are. And how much the world needs your voice, your vision, and your contributions.
As an astrologer, I have a particular focus on Intersectionality - that was the topic of my first NORWAC talk in 2020. And it's the topic of a book I've been working on for most of 2024. Intersectionality, as I learned it deep in the grassroots, is something that informs my analysis and delineation of chart configurations and transiting aspects.
I aim to conspire with my clients in combatting cycles of systemic oppression and to act as an accomplice in enacting cultivating personal agency – the kind that honors and understands that we're embedded in webs of interdependent relationships.
I've been told I make equal use of fierce compassion and wicked humor in my consultations. My goal is always to helps my clients hone strategies for grounded growth and embodied empowerment by bringing them back to the BASICS: bravery, authenticity, sovereignty, courage, and stewardship.
Where Bear Comes From
One Part Crunchy Granola, One Part Radical Queer Activist...
Hailing from the land of the Skagit people – and the county of the same name – I grew up playing in the woods and fields of a an All-American small town an hour north of Seattle. My early childhood experiences center around nature, hiking, camping, where I was immersed in outdoor recreation. My own Indigenous (and otherwise very mixed) heritage, and that crunchy granola youth, are the roots of my orientation toward nature, adventure, ecology, biomimicry. It's the origin of my quest to find ways to re-wild humanity through relationship with the planets and stars, and why as of late you can find me talking about the way that our Ancestors are very literally the Stars.
A California arts scholar; Youth Council then Board member of the Gay Straight Alliance Network; Youth Speaker at the Bioneers conference... I spent my teens and early twenties organizing queer community and activist campaigns across the Bay Area, using art and poetry to make social change. That's why you'll hear me talking about Intersectionality, myxticism (mixed mysticism), and Queer Astrology so often.
Bear Ryver, award-winning astrologer
Consultant. Speaker. Teacher. Mentor.
Nadiya Shah once encouraged me to shout my award-winning status from the rooftops, and that I'm "too humble". I aspire to do right by those who offer their guidance and support, so here ya go:
The year I launched my practice I was named the winner of the Organization for Professional Astrology (OPA)’s Most Promising Astrologer award.
Though the current holder of that title is Taylor Shuler. An incredibly gifted astrologer I'm honored to have mentored. (Not that she needed it - Taylor is amazing!)
After winning that award I went on to speak at the Northwest Astrological Conference (NORWAC) and Allied Media Conference in 2020. I spoke again for NORWAC in 2021, and spoke at the International Society of Astrological Research (ISAR)'s 2022 conference 'Joining Hearts and Minds'.
I was a teacher for the Portland School of Astrology in 2020-2022, offered my time as a mentor for the Association for Astrological Networking (AFAN). Currently I'm a TA for Austin Coppock, and new faculty at Kepler College.
Bear Ryver, certified
Thus far, I've earned certifications in Hellenistic and Electional Astrology from Chris Brennan's Astrology School, and a Horary Practitioner's certification from the School of Traditional Astrology. I completed Austin Coppock's Fundamentals of Astrology program in 2023, though I'm still working on my graduation presentation. In 2019, I completed Kay Taylor's year-long practitioner's mentoring program, Spirit Dance. I've also studied with Sonja Francis, aka the Astrologer Coach, and received my Usui Reiki level I through III training and attunements from Danny Picard.
I currently live in Olympia, Washington with my co-human, two cats, and entirely too many plants. My office has been affectionately dubbed the House of Altars. After almost two years of temporary disability, you can once again find him playing guitar and climbing rocks when he’s not talking stars or cards.
