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..........

[Lily Mae]

The land is sacred. These words are at the core of your being. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die. That is, the Indian in us dies." - Mary Brave Bird, Lakota
This is one of my favorite quotes.. we all are so connected to each other ...the four directions...and it's through writings like this that people get that and understand so thank you :) xx

[Chris Smith Welshpoetcs]

We are all brothers/sisters of the earth, we all bleed the same blood together.
Wisdom expressed within your poem my friend.

[MichelleClay]

Such a wonderful piece. I got really lost in your words and felt as if I were with you in the store and with the apache. Such a powerful message too that all should take notice of. Well done.

[Kelsie Eileen Stark]

This was brillaint and true, these words teach wonderful lessons, and yours words inspire to be amazing.

[ice]

Hoka Hey..its a good day to die:
Beacause I have read brother coyotes words of wisdom today.

Black..the west, and introspection...white- north, the direction that teaches you wisdom.. east, the dorection of new ideas red=south-warm feelings of the heart, and mercy.

If we all would just travel the wheel, and stop in increments at each stone as we journey towards each point of the compass, learn to use the wheels medicine wisely..the world would be a much better place..

I have been to a medicine wheel in S.D. coyote..it was an extremly powerful experience..Thanks for reminding me of that place.
And thanks for this poem...I enjoyed reading it.

ice

[John Jackson (El Juero)]

I cherish this writing, Coyote. I could not agree more. I am White, raised by a Latina. The crazy world today seems to be bent on consumption, and destruction. You are strong, and sensitive.I feel your words.
I have felt the Corn Pollen. The Apache Medicine man said, I pray for all people, not just Apache. I carry his blessing within my spirit. I try to walk a good path.
Thank you!

[Nothing Personal]

A wonderful collage of ideas and youv'e brought together all races and creeds together with the four winds and the concept of a medicine wheel. It's sheer wonderful how you've identified this heritage and ancestry with race and how you have put it together. it tells different stories. stories of haunt and reckon and reconciliation. I really like what you achieve with this poem..Great job..

[Magdelena]

Coyote this was beautiful.. Of all you brought forth, I hold this so near to my heart.. Words escape, for feelings now are taking control..

Thank you...

Mags xx

[Jaweena...Eileen Quinta..]

Nizhoni! Beautiful! Loved the teachings. The contribution of different people, sharing their gifts for the good of mankind is a profound thought. Greed, selfish motivation, dishonesty, arrogance, and apathy have shown their faces. The idea to think and work for the good of all requires cooperation, sacrifice, equality, patience, WORKING as a whole. We have made or choice.
Belief- hope and faith in the "good" of mankind and working for that is needed.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

my Native American side holds this one dear