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..........

[Thomas W Case]

Wow. This is very cool and informative.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Thomas.

[Matthew Kult]

A wonderful journey you take us on. Many wise words written and portrayed for us to learn from.

Wonderful read.

With love,

Matthew

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Matthew for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Montana ~ Arthur Henn]

Hi Coyote. This piece of work is spectacular! I really enjoyed reading it. I felt it’s energy and natural knowledge of nature and life in general.

Since I’ve retired In Montana and returned home to my motherland (Great Falls) seeing the world through adult eyes. I truly am blessed to be able to experience this beautiful country. I’m truly finding joy in my research in this country of indigenous reading.

I really appreciate your post about “The Medicine Wheel”

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Montana for reading and the kind words. I was a soldier and I was lucky. Saw the beauty of the USA.

[fallon]

This seems like such an important story right now. Your being able to tell it through poetry is beautiful and calming. Thank you for sharing that experience. I feel like I have learned from it as well.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you fallon. We need to get along for the sake of the children.

[emmajoygreen]

THE Medicine Wheel will always be relevant because those who have had it passed down in word and guidance over a long, long history.. one coming from a precious place... will know the Wheel's truth. Like Faith, it brings light.. and that, dear friend, is what matters.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Emma for reading and the comment. I agree my dear friend.

[Rory CJ Frankson]

My Brother... it's all that IS BEING what and where you believe. Ever move into the future of your wordage my Friend... your friend Ro (rory) 2023

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rory and I agree.

[Celie Rose]

"We need to work together. Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts." Loved this poem and I agree with the wisdom of the medicine wheel.

[Coyote Poetry]

It is old wisdom. We need to use today dear Celie. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Miss Sharon]

Coming back to read this one again. Love it even more. But isn't it time to write a new one? I love your poetry. ~Sharon

[Coyote Poetry]

Maybe dear Sharon? Hello from Michigan and thank you for reading and the comment my dear friend.

[Sharrumkin]

Very moving. I worked with Ojibway people in Northwestern Ontario. It is still very much a living dynamic culture.

[Coyote Poetry]

Here in Michigan. The Ojibwa are quiet. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Archishman Rick]

Really appreciate what you have shared here, the wisdom of the Native Americans and the overall constructive message is worthy indeed. This story was interesting and informative. The name being 'medicine wheel' is justified. The significance of the elements and Nature and spirits were truly appreciated in Native American culture and they had profound insight.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rick. I appreciate the comment.