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..........

[AvidYogi]

The poem had me all ears!
I was totally lost! :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading. Just old wisdom. One people and one earth. We must get along for the sake of the children.

[AvidYogi]

Totally agree! :)

[Cassie]

This is so so amazing, so much full of wisdom

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Cassie. I appreciate the comment.

[Kajal Sharma]

amazing write...i really liked it a lot

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kajal. I appreciate the comment.

[zephyr]

Great wisdom in the piece. Coyote Poetry.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Shinsei. I appreciate the comment.

[Jane Taylor Hardy]

A magnificent write.....I love the Native American culture!

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm 1/2 Ojibwa. I try to teach the old ways and I hope someone will listen. Thank you Jane for reading and the comment.

[Dani The Unreviewed]

i found no mistakes...lol. Yeah, it is true, the 'fire' is everywhere in the world. By fire, i assume you mean violence, war. As for the wisdom of people...well, we need more than what we have already. The earth is being destroyed by human beings, its like a child killing his mother... Deep poem. Thanks for sharing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Danny. I agree with your logic.

[Dani The Unreviewed]

You are welcome :)

[Divya]

Message conveyed in the poem is good and constructive telling importance of ancient knowledge. interesting One

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Divya. Not so ancient. 150 years ago. A race who lived in peace with the land and need to hold on to old beliefs to gain strength and will power again. Native Americans are still here. Just waiting and praying the world gain wisdom. One earth/one people. Heal/not kill.

[Divya]

Interesting

[Tomás Ó C..]

Fantastic piece... well written and told... Rick Puetter would love this...

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Tomas. I appreciate the comment.

[Tauvic Heedajat]

Your story has a noble message. We should not abandon our heritage. Many people in my country have abandoned their culture because of various factors. Even many of them feel so bashful with their language, tribe, religion, ethnics, nation, etc. They don't care any more and forget about folklore, folk songs what they learned and heard in their childhood. Some even insult and look down their parents' culture. Your poem can make people think no to abandon their own heritage and encourage them to respect others so that peace will emerge in their hearth. "Never too old to learn" this note has encouraged me to learn more and more from a great poet like you... Thanks and GBU

[Coyote Poetry]

We must hold tight to our heritage. This is what we are. Our elders taught us life and story. We must pass on. Thank you Tauvic for reading and the comment.

[Tauvic Heedajat]

Your welcome.

[wordman]

a beautiful piece,we have lost so many cultures,i go to cherokee nc occasionally.it is all broght from china
i have cherokee in my blood,my great grand mother was half cherokee..it seems all the old ways have been abolished i feel you

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. I try to keep alive my heritage with my words. The Cherokee hold a special deed. The North Carolina Cherokee fought and held their land in the mountains. Was first defeat for the new USA. They were great warriors. Thank you wordman for reading and the comment.

[wordman]

my pleasure john