The Medicine wheel

Old Native American wisdom. We need to gather as one people to save earth and all people.

 
 

Wisdom of the Medicine wheel
 

I have been  lucky.  Many kind Native Americans took me under their wing and taught me how to find peace.
 
At the Mall I went to the so-call Native American store. A Middle Eastern man tried to sell me a Chinese made items.  I touched a Medicine Wheel.
 
I told him:  "A proper Medicine Wheel has the power of the four winds."

I touched a  Dream Catcher." A real one would protect your spirit and keep bad dreams away."
 
He grinned at me. He didn't understand a word that I have spoken. He told me. "It does the same things." I left the store with nothing.
 
I sat with my Apache Friend and his family outside the gate of Fort Hood, Texas. I sat and listened to him.  His skin hardened by the Texas sun. I came and sat with him every Saturday for many months.

He had a story for every item he sold. I brought him food and water.  His stories were passed on to him by family and elders.
 
He gave me a Medicine Wheel. He rose up and made a circle with his hands. He told me.  "All people are part of the circle of life.  We all have a purpose, he had sadness in his voice. We Apache and Native Americans were responsible to protect Nature. We did a poor job."
 
"The white people were responsible for the fire. They shared their gift and now fire is held in every corner of the planet. His eyes looked at the ground, then he raised his eyes and looked to the sky. The fire was taught Atomic and nuclear power too well."
 
"The black people held the strength, wisdom and honour. The wisdom of the black people lost direction. We need their strength before we kill off all that is good."
 
"The yellow people have courage, leadership and clarity. The gentle and calm souls will be necessary for this world to seek peace."
 
"The medicine wheel is a compass to all life. We must know all four directions."
 
At a Pow Wow in Texas a few Native Americans danced and invited all of us to join the dance of friendship. A old Apache man moved around the circle. Burned sage and blessed everyone who came.
 
He welcomed us. He began to speak.

"We were the last Americans allowed to dance our Native dances.
We were the last allowed to speak our language in public.
We have not forgotten. 
We go on and hope for better days."
 
He blessed all of us and his kind eyes show respect for all.
He raise his hands and spoke to the sky.
"Teach us the four winds. 
Give us wisdom. 
Teach us humility. 
Show us clarity. 
Allow us to trust our brothers."
 
I'm proud of my Ojibwa heritage.  I'm proud of my Mexican/white heritage. The Medicine wheel showed us we are one. We need to work together. Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts.
 
Old Apache raised his hands to the sky. Then created a full circle. He moved slowly around  the inner circle and looked in all our eyes.
 
 
"We are one.
Let's pray for peace."
 
East wind - Yellow people - Path of light - Spiritual - courage.
West wind - Red people - Path of vision - physical -prayer
North wind - White people - Path of quiet - Mental - wisdom
South wind - Black people - Path of peace - natural - trust

 
This is a view of many years of learning. Every teacher tells the story differently. I believe we are one people. Peace will come when we learn to work together.

Black, White, Red and Yellow are the four corners of the Medicine Wheel. All with important gifts to bring to achieve peace with each other and the planet.


                                     Coyote

 
 

Author's Note

If mistakes. Please tell me. Never too old to learn.

Reviews

[Neville]

What a truly inspirational and important poem we have here. Until now, I did not appreciate the true significance of the 'Medicine Wheel'
I have learn't many things this evening and am subsequently both humbled and very grateful to you my dear friend Coyote.................All Good Things, Neville

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neville. The Medicine. A symbol of peace. One people and one earth.

[Neville]

Amen to that..........

[MoonSong]

I have a feeling I have already reviewed this piece. Perhaps many years ago. I love this about you! Today, this beautiful new day, I am reminded of my affinity for the Medicine Wheel. Native spirituality has touched my soul like no other belief system. I studied as an apprentice under a Cherokee Metis until I challenged her wisdom and methods. She was a member of the Bear Tribe, with Sun Bear. It is where I became MoonSong. I was a pipe carrier. I no longer partake, because I doubted my right to do so. I would never want to dishonor Great Spirit or any tribal elders or teachings. So my pipe sits on my altar with many other sacred stones, feathers etc. Music, books and memories all around me.

I still feel the influences of what I think must be a past life as a Elder Grandmother. Is it all a dream?

[Coyote Poetry]

You were lucky. Good to get close to nature and be kind to nature and our world. I was lucky. A Apache man shared time with me. Taught me to appreciate my Ojibwa blood. Thank you Moon Song for reading and the comment.

[Desert Knave]

A very intricate and interesting write. I have always believed the best medicines often avoid "medicines". ~Jim

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. I do the natural cures my self. Honey and tea, chicken soup. Healing for the soul. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Paul in the Buff]

I wish our society could place all the things we hold as importance on the ground, and just pause for a moment to listen to the wind, and the wisdom of all the things we've shunned, enslaved or destroyed.

The world we live in makes me sad.

Thank you for sharing this wisdom. You're right - we're never too old to learn, but someday it might be too late for the lessons to matter...

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Paul. We don't have much time. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i was always fascinated by the native americans. they certainly knew things the rest of us don't. and not just about their terrain, but they had insights in to the spiritual realm as well. nature is destroyed, and so is our mental wellness. and such teachers could provide us guidance on how to attain that internal strength. really like your writing, and i'll check out your book next.

[Coyote Poetry]

In WW2. USA government went to the Native Americans for advice. They didn't listen. Greed and common sense. Never can work. Thank you Ern M. Yoshimoto for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Marie]

I absolutely adore Native American culture, dear Coyote and I have learned so much this evening through reading and re-reading and re-reading your most inspiring and wonderful poem. I knew about the medicine wheel, but not in detail and I am so happy to know all about it now. Dream Catchers are very popular in Ireland, many people use them to trap bad dreams. How wonderful to sit with your dear Apache friend and learn the spiritual ways of his tribe. He sounds like a wonderful teacher as you also are, dear Coyote. I now know what the North, South, East and Wests winds stand for and it is so true that we must all work TOGETHER for the benefit of all. But, sadly I feel that as long as human beings exist they will be slaves to greed and materialism.
I pray I am incorrect, dear Coyote. I also believe we are one and that if we all work together peace will be our reward. I truly am indebted to you for so kindly sharing this flawlessly inked poem. I love it! Thank you again, dear friend...

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope one day. We can overcome color, religion and hate. For the sake of the children. Thank you dear Marie for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Marie]

I too, hope firmly and strongly, but know it will not be easily achieved, if it is possible to achieve as human beings, dear friend...

[Mark]

Your writing is always inspiring. Your wisdom is always calm and founded on bedrock. Thank you for another gift, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Mark for reading and the comment. I am hoping. Our leaders create a safe world. We are more the same than different.

[Chrissie Muldoon]

Wow.... just, wow.
Having grown up a white Christian in Canada, in school we learn about the colonization of North America (indeed, all of the non-white world), but we learn about it with a certain sterility. Just the facts, just history as it's written by the victors, but not bothering to ask how or why these issues of colonization persist; how, though it may not have been us personally who created such problems and injustices, there is a legacy of guilt that we adpot when we say such things and have an attitude of, 'Not my fault, not my problem.'
It's hard to amit when you have done a wrong, and harder to have the humility to look that person in the face and say, 'I'm sorry'. Its hard when it is between you and another person, its harder when its between your view of history and the world around you vs the view of another. To take blame that belongs to your ancestors, blame that your believe isn't your burden to carry. But its not about taking the blame; its about being the one to not only end the cycle, but to now try and heal it.
I am of the belief that this is the way forward. I try to live this in my life in all ways and always. Many people call me 'woke' in a mean, judgemental way. Others think that I'm just trying to look like I'm not racist or bigoted, like my wanting to make amends somehow makes my accusers look racist and bigoted by comparision, which of course, no one ever wants to be accused of. And some just think that its pointless to try change it, because it is what it is.
They can all think what they will, because I take courage and heart in words, poems, and art like this where I am shown that others believe, just as I do, that love--- true, vulnerable, honest, persevering and consistent love--- can truly save us.
This will stay with me. Thank you so much for posting this.

[Chrissie Muldoon]

Wow.... just, wow.
Having grown up a white Christian in Canada, in school we learn about the colonization of North America (indeed, all of the non-white world), but we learn about it with a certain sterility. Just the facts, just history as it's written by the victors, but not bothering to ask how or why these issues of colonization persist; how, though it may not have been us personally who created such problems and injustices, there is a legacy of guilt that we adpot when we say such things and have an attitude of, 'Not my fault, not my problem.'
It's hard to amit when you have done a wrong, and harder to have the humility to look that person in the face and say, 'I'm sorry'. Its hard when it is between you and another person, its harder when its between your view of history and the world around you vs the view of another. To take blame that belongs to your ancestors, blame that your believe isn't your burden to carry. But its not about taking the blame; its about being the one to not only end the cycle, but to now try and heal it.
I am of the belief that this is the way forward. I try to live this in my life in all ways and always. Many people call me 'woke' in a mean, judgemental way. Others think that I'm just trying to look like I'm not racist or bigoted, like my wanting to make amends somehow makes my accusers look racist and bigoted by comparision, which of course, no one ever wants to be accused of. And some just think that its pointless to try change it, because it is what it is.
They can all think what they will, because I take courage and heart in words, poems, and art like this where I am shown that others believe, just as I do, that love--- true, vulnerable, honest, persevering and consistent love--- can truly save us.
This will stay with me. Thank you so much for posting this.

[Coyote Poetry]

My dear Ojibwa Grandmother was took from her reservation in Canada at five year old. The government cut her hair, changed her name and she wasn't allow to speak her language. She taught me and my brothers/sisters to be free. Love the lakes and the forest. She told me once. I have forgiven the white man and I remember everything. Hate and regret, a heavy load to carry your whole life. It is sad dear Chrissie what men did yesterday and today. The blame is greed and fearing indifferent. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[alexAlexander]

Peace, my brother, and may we all learn to embrace the Wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. You did a great one this time! Very informative.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I pray I will know one day of peace for my world. Before I must go.