Healing Cycles Of
Reflection
Native American Medicine Wheels
A medicine wheel is a spiritual tool of the Native American
tradition. Within
its space, small or large, people look upon the medicine wheel as a
reservoir
of their thoughts, feelings and actions. The "medicine" is healing
in its
largest sense - physical, spiritual, and communal. It can be a
place for
individual meditation, or for group ceremony, singing and dance.
Some medicine wheels are historically attributed with these
different purposes, and for others the purpose remains unknown. If
you make your own medicine wheel, you will have the opportunity to
follow your intuition for its ultimate purpose. The guidelines to
constructing a medicine wheel can follow Native American traditions
or be something more individualistic; modern creators of medicine
wheels feel it's best to choose colors, plants and animals that are
personally meaningful.
Start by finding a place that is special to you, be it a table, a
portion of
your garden, or even a floor, as long as it won't be disturbed. To
begin, mark
a circle, it can be small or large, whatever you have space for.
The circular
shape honors the cyclical nature of life. Then set stones to mark
the Four
Directions of North, South, East and West. Look at the
traditional
accompaniments to each direction indicated below, and choose among
them or decide upon objects that symbolize something of
significance to you. You can try out different combinations, and
even re-arrange your wheel over time as your feelings about it
change.
EAST (color: yellow) The East is the direction of new day, where
everything
is fresh and clean. Use this direction to appreciate the potential
for new learning experiences. The revered plant of this direction
is the Dandelion - the animal is the Golden Eagle.
SOUTH (color: red) The South is the direction of growth, where
everything in
life is replenished and in full bloom. Use this direction to taste
the ripe
fruit of appreciation and not take what you have for granted. The
revered plant of this direction is cedar - the animal is the
coyote.
WEST (color: black) The West is the direction of spiritual insight,
where
dreams and visions allow you to go within and appreciate yourself
and your
Creator. The revered plant of this direction is sage - the animal
is the grizzly
bear.
NORTH (color: white) The North is the direction of purity, where
the life
forces of health and healing come forward, and the wisdom of elders
is honored. The revered plant of this direction is the Birch tree -
the animal is the White Buffalo.
