introduction to the medicine wheel october2016
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction to the Medicine Wheel Concept
Although there are hundreds of different Medicine Wheels, this
article shows some of the basic concepts of their symbolism and
interconnectedness. The main body of "The Medicine Wheel
Concept" is a compilation of oral history passed on from various
elders. Excerpts have also been taken from the book, The Sacred
Tree, available from the Four Worlds Development Project's
Resource Catalogue.
1.Traditional Welcome / Opening Ceremony
2.Symbols of The Sacred Circle
a.The Medicine Wheel
3.The Concept of Self
4.The Concept of Connectedness
5.The 4 Aspects of Everyone's Nature
6.The 4 Stages of Life
7.The Concept of the 4 Seasons
8.The Concept of Vision
9.The Concept of 4 Elements
10.The Concept of Learning
11.The 4 Colors of the human family
12.The Concept of Balance
13.How to be an Ally to Indigenous Peoples
Traditional Welcome / Opening Ceremony
Acknowledgement to the creator
Purification process
Cleanse our mind, body and spirit in order to set the tone for our feelings
Paralleled to the burning of incense which is done by the priest
In the spirit of equality and choice, no one is forced to participate--it is strictly voluntary
The burning of sweetgrass is:
Symbols of The Sacred Circle
WEST
NORTH
SOUTH
EAST
Symbols express and represent meaning. Meaning helps provide
purpose and understanding in the lives of human beings. Indeed, to
live without symbols is to experience existence far short of its full
meaning. Ways of expressing and representing meanings include the
symbol systems of mathematics, spoken and written language, and the
arts.The Sacred Tree
Four Worlds Development Project
The medicine wheel concept - 4 directions
DARKNESS
(NIGHTTIME)
COLD
(SNOW)
WARMTH
(SUNSHINE)
NEW BEGINNINGS
The Medicine Wheel
(LIGHT)
• Four directions emphasizing the concept of balance and equality
• Used by almost all the Indigenous People in all parts of Mother
Earth
• Our purpose is to show the interconnectedness of nature and
relationship, as Indigenous people, to all of creation
• Our first circle emphasizes the self as the centre and the outside
circle as the universe and the four directions
• We always move in a clockwise direction as the sun does
• It is a never-ending cycle of beginning and ending
• When we come to an end it is merely a new beginning
The East is the direction
of new beginnings as the
light of a sun on a new
day
THE MEDICINE WHEEL
The South is the direction of warmth as the sun is
at its peak at high noon
The West is the
direction of night
time, darkness, or
unknown mysteries,
as the night time
approaches
The North is the direction of snow of the Arctic.
It is also the direction of wisdom
The Concept of Self
HINDSIGHT
EXTROVERT
INTROVERT
FORESIGHT
The concept of self - personalities
• All the personalities in the world appear on the sacred circle
The circle is you, the self
• All the personalities in the world are within the circle
• Each of us is born somewhere on this circle, with all the
personalities
• We usually have one personality that distinguishes us from others,
depending on where we were born on the circle
• The objective is to try to experience as many of the personalities
as we can on our journey along the cycle of life
• Only in experiencing as many of these personalities can we lead
balanced and fulfilled lives, much as the concept of self-
actualization on Maslow's hierarchy of needs
The Concept of Connectedness
Prayers & Meditation
Behaviour
(Honesty)
Ceremonies
Appreciation for
things which exist
The Great Mystery
Inner
• The inner circle is deep inside everyone of us
• These are the private thoughts, emotions, and spiritual things we
share with the creator through prayer and meditation
• As we pray and meditate our energy force is strengthened, affecting
our outer self
• Outer circle represents - interaction we have with our personalities
thus affecting our behaviour
• This is the area that must be affected by the inner circle to produce
positive behaviour such as honesty
Outer
• The circle of creation or four directions is the stage where we act out
our behaviours
• Our ceremonies which were given to us by the creator are our tools
for the continued development as a person
• We constantly show our appreciation for all the things which exist
Creation
• All of the above circles create a ripple effect, where one affects the
other somehow
• All of these connect me to the creator in my spiritual development
Creator
The 4 Aspects of Everyone's Nature
MENTAL
(TEACHERS)
EMOTIONAL
(COUNSELLORS)
PHYSICAL
(DOCTORS)
The 4 aspects of man - mental, physical, emotional, spiritual
The idea is to try and keep these four aspects in balance so as to
maintain a good rhythm and lead a balanced life. The greatest teacher
anyone will ever have is her/his self. Each aspect is a teacher.
SPIRITUAL
(ENERGY)
The Physical lets you know when you must see a doctor
PHYSICAL
(DOCTORS)
EMOTIONAL
(COUNSELLORS)
• The Emotional is the direction of feelings
• We must learn to experience our emotions in a healthy manner
and not suppress them due to negative reactions or feedback
we have received
• It is the direction of counsellors
• The Spiritual is the direction of
energy
• Unseen concept
• Alternate reality or mirror image
of the physical
• When our energy levels are low it
affects all the other aspects
• When we speak of someone being
in good spirits, we think of them as
being happy
SPIRITUAL
(ENERGY)
MENTAL
(TEACHERS)
• The Mental is the direction of thinking
• Intellectual gifts we may acquire: to predict, to interpret
hidden messages
• The mind can be trained until it becomes a highly developed
instrument
The 4 Stages of Life
ELDER
(GUIDANCE)
YOUTH
(LEARNING)
CHILD
(INNOCENCE)
The 4 stages of life - child, youth, adult, elder
ADULT
(PROTECTION)
The gift of the child
is a time of play and
innocence. The child
is on the east, the
place of new birth or
rebirth.
The youth is a time of learning; the youth appears on the
south.
The adult appears on
the west and is a time
for protection.
The elder appears on the north and provides guidance and direction.
These are the prime responsibilities of each stage of life. Everyone
reaches each stage at different times of their life. Some children may
reach the age of youth earlier than others, and it is their nature.
The Concept of the 4 Seasons
WINTER
(REST)
SUMMER
(GROWTH)
WORK / PLAY
SPRING
(NEW LIFE)
The concept of the 4 seasons - spring, summer, fall, winter
FALL
(HARVEST)
The Concept of the 4 Seasons
Spring is a time of new life and it appears in the East.
The Concept of the 4 Seasons
Summer
(Growth/Work/Play)
The Concept of the 4 Seasons
Fall
(Harvest)
The Concept of the 4 Seasons
Winter
(Rest)
• The cycle of change is emphasized as it relates
to nature
• Balance is also depicted as opposites appear to
balance themselves on the medicine wheel
• Continuous cycle of change
• Each season change happens on solstice, as
opposed to the idea of specific on the calendar
for each season change
The Concept of Vision
BUFFALO
MOUSE
EAGLE
The concept of vision - the eagle, mouse, bear, buffalo
The animal world is emphasized on this circle to relate the
personality traits of each direction.
BEAR
East
• Eagle who sees far and wide
This gift teaches us that we
must be able to see the
outcome or end result of
things.
• Illumination
• leadership
• Like the eagle a leader must
often travel alone
South
Mouse teaches us about the here and now.
• lives close to Mother Earth and is very focused in what it does
• Child observes a butterfly or some other aspect of nature
• Totally engrossed in the new discovery and is oblivious to everything else
• Many of us are too concerned about the future or the past, and as a result we
neglect the present
• The mouse teaches us to focus on the activity we are doing
• This focus can be the creation of skilled hunters, accomplished musicians, or
great artists
West
Bear or turtle.
• Thunder beings represent
power, which is the power to
heal
• The Bear
• Underground to sleep during
the winter Symbolizes the
insight that we are able to gain
through our ceremonies
• Turtle also teaches
perseverance
• By going into the centre of
one's being we experience our
relationship to all of creation
and the creator
North buffalo & white owl.
White owl
• Teaches us that we must be able to see things from all aspects
Buffalo
• Teaches us to utilize all and not waste any gift
• Food source, clothing and shelter (tipis)
• The sinew was used for thread, the bones for tools, and the skull was
used for spiritual purposes
The Concept of 4 Elements
AIR
(MOVEMENT)
FIRE / SUN
(TIME / DISCIPLINE)
EARTH
(VISION)
The concept of 4 elements - air, earth, fire/sun, water
Each element in its respective position relates how Indigenous People
perceive the world around them.
The 4 basic elements of nature appear in their respective places.
Humanity would perish if one of these elements were missing.
WATER
(REASON)
The gift of earth appears
to the East, and one of
the many teachings we
learn is vision. We
perceive the world
around us and marvel at
the beauty and the vision
of the creator.
• The gift of fire or sun appears to the South, and some of the teachings
we learn are time, discipline, and patience
• Most nations of the world use the sun as a basis of keeping time
• We cannot make the sun go faster or slower--therefore, we learn
patience
• True Indian time is based on responsibility and commitment
• When we think of fire, we think of it as a great gift
• Fire can also destroy if it is not controlled
• The fire that burns deep within us must be disciplined or it will run
wild with anger. However we must not suppress our anger, but express
it in a manner which will not be harmful to ourselves or others
• The third element is water
• The giver of life
• West and teaches us reason
• Water will always find its own way and cannot be contained
• Overcome any barrier
• Our reason must be like water
• It must continue to develop and not allow problems to become
obstacles, but rather a challenge for a new learning
• The power of reason must be tempered by our vision
The fourth element is air.
• Movement
• Air is all around us and moves anywhere--it even finds the tiniest
opening
• Our development must also be like the air
• As we move in our journey around the circle, we learn new things and
we broaden our knowledge, which gives us more strength
The Concept of Learning
TREE
(HONESTY)
GRASS
(KINDNESS)
ANIMALS
(SHARING)
MOUNTAINS
(STRENGHT)
The Concept of Learning
ANIMALS SHARING
• The Indigenous people learn from observing nature
• Animals appear to the East and their teaching is sacrifice, sharing,
affection, and companionship
• Animals constantly nurture and groom their young
• Ducks carry their young on their backs and also keep them warm with
their feathers and body heat
• A mother bear will give up her life to save her young ones.
• Some animals will pretend to be wounded to lure predators away from
their young
• When an animal has been killed the predator will eat its fill and then
leave, thus allowing other animals to share in the feast
The Concept of Learning GRASS
(Kindness)
• Grass appears to the South
• kindness
• A person can walk on grass and it will spring right back.
• It can also be cut and it will continue to grow
• Our kindness must be like the grass, always willing to extend our
hand in kindness even if we have been trampled upon
• Our kindness must always be open if we are to continue to grow as
balanced people
The Concept of Learning
MOUTAINS
(Strength)
• West are the mountains or rock
• Hardest substances that we know of in all creation
• Source of great strength: it has survived through many
climatic changes ever since the beginning
• Jesus described his apostle Peter as the rock upon which he
would build his church
• Even with this great strength the mountain yields to erosion or
reason
The Concept of Learning
TREE
(Honesty)
• Tree which appears to the North of the sacred circle teaches us
profoundness and honesty
• A tree which is deep-rooted and intertwined with the roots of other
trees will withstand the harshest elements
• Our belief must be deep-rooted, so the people we interact with will
recognize our profound conviction and will become a support
system for us as a people
• The growth of a tree teaches us that in order to grow as a human
being, we must strive for honesty
The 4 colors of the human family
WHITE
Nations
YELLOW
Nations
RED
Nations
Red, Yellow, Black, and White: Each color of people has language,
customs, culture and Nations. The methods and processes are
different, but the ultimates are the same.
BLACK
Nations
• The red nation
• Situated to the East of the sacred circle
• keepers of Mother Earth.
• The relationship Indigenous people have with Mother earth is one of
respect.
• Nothing is ever taken without asking for permission and then giving
something in return. (reciprocity)
• Direction of the noonday sun
• The flag of Japan has the symbol of the sun
• Loyalty and noble passions are teachings which are in the south
• During the Second World War, kamikaze pilots flew suicide missions,
displaying their loyalty to their cause
• Rather than live with shame, Japanese people committed hari-kari and ended
their lives in a noble fashion
SOUTH
Yellow Nations
The black nation is to the West & the direction of reason
• Reasons out their problems
• Martin Luther King
• He reasoned that violence was not the answer, so he started a peace
movement to address racial issues.
• Gandhi, an East Indian who promoted non-violence and civil disobedience.
As water will erode the strongest mountain, so will the persistence of reason
overcome all barriers.
• The white nation appears to the North
• Direction of movement and of the mental aspect
• movers of the world
• Gone to the bottom of the ocean
• moon and beyond.
• With their mental power, they have invented ways to harness
electricity and many other benefits which make life easier to live.
NORTH
White
Four Medicines: Sage, Sweetgrass,
Cedar and Tobacco
Sacred tobacco is used to make smoke, is one of the most sacred of plants for
Native people. It is said to be the main activator of all plants. It was given to us
so that we can communicate with the Spirit world and when you use it, all
things begin to happen. Tobacco is always offered before picking medicines.
When you offer tobacco to a plant and explain your reasons for being there, the
plant will let all the plants in the area know your intentions and why you are
picking them, tobacco is used first as an offering for everything and in every
ceremony. Going to ceremonies you would offer tobacco to the Elder leading
those ceremonies along with an honoring gift. This announces your intention
and the Elders may ask you of your intentions with this offering.
Dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org
SWEET GRASS
Sweet grass is the sacred hair of Mother Earth; its sweet aroma
reminds people of the gentleness, love and kindness she has for
the people; this is why Native people pick it and braid it in 3
strands representing love, kindness and honesty. Sweet grass is
used for smudging and purification of the spirit; when Sweet grass
is used in a healing or talking circle it has a calming effect. It is
said that it attracts the good Spirit, so use it to call in the Spirit.
Dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org
Sage is used in many different ways, it helps the people prepare for
ceremonies and teachings. Because it is more medicinal and stronger than
Sweet grass, it tends to be used more often in ceremonies, it also has
physical healing properties, you can boil sage and drink it as a tea. Sage
is for releasing what is troubling the mind and for removing negative
energy, it is used for cleansing homes and sacred items. There is male and
female sage.
Dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org
Like Sage and Sweet grass, cedar is used to purify the home, it also
has many restorative medicinal use. When mixed with sage for a tea,
it cleans the body of all infections, cedar baths are also very healing.
When cedar mixed with tobacco is put in the fire it crackles, this is
said to call the attention of the Spirits to the offering that is being
made. Cedar is used in sweat lodge and fasting ceremonies for
protection, cedar branches cover the floor of many sweat lodges and
some people make a circle of cedar when they are fasting. It is a
guardian spirit and chases away the bad spirits.
Dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org
The Concept of Balance
All the aspects of the sacred circle come together to form the self and
contain the universe in its symbol. The significance of this concept
shows that we as a people are one and the same as the universe. We
cannot separate ourselves from creation. If we are out of balance, then
the universe is out of balance in relation to ourselves.
Conclusion
• It must be remembered that everyone is different and each will get a different
lesson from each encounter
• The sacred circle is a lifetime journey and will be travelled many times
• No race or person is any greater or any less than the other
• What one does affects the other, and it is to our advantage to work together to
make life more pleasant. Remember, you are the centre of the sacred circle
(universe), and you direct your development which affects the growth of
everything around you
• All you need is the willingness to learn and to walk in harmony to be balanced
and maintain a good rhythm in life
How to be An Ally To Indigenous Peoples
Care for Mother Earth
Give thanks frequently
Respect and support Indigenous Sovereignty
Learn about treaties
Demand that our nation honor it’s treaty commitments
Consider future generations in all your actions
Question and resist stereotypes
Learn about and reject the “Doctorine of Discovery”
Reach out to your Indigenous neighbors
Slow down and listen more than you talk
Notice where you are
Live with gratitude
Live lightly on Mother Earth
Work to end global warming
Support renewable energy
Stop hydro fracking, dirty coal and uranium mining
Read Indigenous Authors,
Support Indigenous artists, businesses and events
Remember that all beings (Animals and plants) are your relatives
not your resources
Appreciate the diversity of nations, cultures and people
contact us (416) 806 - 4659
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.medicinewheeltrainer.com
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