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..........

[Mk.t.g]

Great! Wonderful, I will keep on reading more of your work!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and I appreciate the comment.

[hydra head]

around and around it goes, where it stops..well they only know

[Coyote Poetry]

Maybe dead-end? Maybe a open door? Or locked door?

[hydra head]

or just junk, probable junk

[keith]

today is 11/11/22 ... a day for remembering and honoring our military veterans
past and present

all respect to you brother in arms coyote

[Coyote Poetry]

Good afternoon Keith. And thank you.

[Ann Outlaw]

I'm so glad I came across your writing today. Things feel uncertain and heavy in the world today and your story here is a beautiful reminder of what we must seek, together. Thank you for sharing this. It has really given me a lot to ponder.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you, dear Ann. We must learn to get along. Before we can't.

[Amber Stone]

Loving this genuine lines, your anecdote, and Ancestors wisdom on the Medicine Wheel. thank U Coyote for remind me on Oneness, Healing, Courage, Spiritual Unity, Beauty, Origins, Earth, the importance of Fate of Humanity, Team work (how lovely if could all work it out together and co-exist)... and not less important, Unconditional Love for Mankind. Sincerely, Amber

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Amber. We must learn ASAP to seek peace. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Dennis Wolf]

Well, I can't say that I understand or know much about native American traditions... But in essence... Most belief systems that build communities and were around for a long time... They share the same core values, or similar core values.. I'll refrain from choosing one over the other, and I'm certain that there are many others who will point out one or the other and claim it superior to the rest..even become certified fanatics... However, over time I had the opportunity to observe a handful of people, different people who listened to different versions of the stories but they lived their belief as a reality and it had made all the difference. Of course they can't save the world, or wash away all the hurt and damage that generations and generations had created, but when one takes the time to observe them, one cannot help but feel as if part of a miracle.


Another good piece

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Dennis. All we can do. Is be a good person and try to leave the earth, better than we received her. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Dennis Wolf]

It was a pleasure to read.

[M.E.Lyle]

This is the first time I have heard of the Medicine Wheel.
It disturbs me to think that we, as human beings, can not be civil to one another. It's so in politics too. The left hates the right, the right hates the left, and between the two, nothing good is accomplished. There is no middle ground where the two can come together and peacefully exchange ideas and thoughts.
We all need the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel.
It also saddens me to think of your Apache friend. Soon he will be gone. Who will be there to pass on his wisdom? I pray the young ones are listening.
Great work, and educational.

[Coyote Poetry]

My friend. We must pass on the information. I am 1/4 Ojibwa and I teach my grandchildren the Ojibwa ways. My grandchildren can fish and they can shoot a bow arrow with skill. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Stuart Munro]

Wow , just read this again , it’s amazing to read , Thanks

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello Stuart and thank you for reading.

[carl]

a grief and a pleasure to read. We have come so far and have so far to go. So much given and so little remembered. "Peace will come when we learn to work together." your words. "Come on, people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together Try to love one another" The Youngbloods 1966. The truth continues to be stated. The heart of man knows this to be true, but the doing of it seems so evasive. Thanks for the post. peace to you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Peace to you Carl and thank you for reading and the comment.

[Stuart Munro]

Amazing artwork , a writing so interesting and new to me , a new experience , thanks Coyote
Reading , Red Indians are close to each other , and have many good life rules

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend and thank you for reading and the comment.