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..........

[....................]

A beautiful write, Coyote... it is written as if spoken to us from a circle where we share our wisdom which has been passed on from others... your piece speaks many truths: we cannot find truth in manufactured things and we all need to come together to save our world and ourselves... well-done!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. Combination of Texas, California and Michigan Native American belief. I'm glad you liked it.

[....................]

I did, sir, a lot!!

[Zahra]

Very well narrated. Your poetry is always so unique. Beautiful

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Zahra. Passed on knowledge from my good elders.

[Lydia Shutter]

A beautiful write of brotherhood and peace. Yes, we all are part of the circle of life. We all have to help others and sometimes accept help as well. May the winds of good fortune always blow your way, dear John. Your words are so very lovely. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lydia. I wish this world seek assisting people in need. Not war. Send food, water and medicine. Can open the door to forgiveness and end war.

[MsJewel]

Wise and beautiful thoughts you have shared John.
I believe we are one people.
Peace will come when we learn to work together
I believe this to be true as well.

Always a pleasure to read your words!

Julie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Julie for reading and the comment.

[Kelsey Schadt]

Wow this was a very poignant piece for me about the story behind each culture, and how sometimes those stories become watered down by other cultures. My grandmother was a seller/trader of Native American handcrafted art and jewelry. She understood the story behind each piece, and would always try to tell my sister and I about them. As children, we were not interested. Now she has passed and my basement is full of Kachina dolls, pottery, and woven blankets--each with a story that I cannot pass on, because I failed to listen. Your poem resonates with me.

[Coyote Poetry]

You can learn. Great books on legend are available. Never too late to learn your background and history. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Rita L. Sev]

Coyote, this is a wise and vivid piece. I have been in that "so-called Native American store" in the mall, and have, like you, walked out with nothing. Your words invite us each to sit down and listen to the elders, to know our own heritage and to understand that we all fit together. A wonderful write.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rita. We need to listen to our elders. People who lived and survived. Can teach us the proper way to live.

[Crowley]

I like the concept of the medicine wheel and I love the last stanza that touches upon the learning and thoughtful prayer that each should work on to make this place strong and peaceful. Great writing, relaxed me to my toes and made me wish I was brought up in this atmosphere.

[Coyote Poetry]

Old belief is good belief. Wasn't perfect. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Troy Henson]

If we all took the time to embrace a piece like this and take from this piece improved ways of acceptance the world would flourish not only for the world itself but for the people in front of us. Being judgmental is not a way of life it is an opinion and we must be careful not to judge too quickly.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. We must learn. All four corners of this world must work as one. One people and one planet.

[Astrid]

It's quite lovely though I want to point out that at first the races are depicted as:

"Us Apache and Native Americans [red] 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.
Eyes looking at the ground.
Then he raise his eyes and look to the sky.
The fire was taught(Atomic and nuclear) too well."

"The black people held the strength, wisdom and honor.
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."

And later are depicted as:

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


They don't exactly line up too much. I mean, I guess they sort of do, but many cross over to others

[Coyote Poetry]

Just a combination of old wisdom learn and taught. My favorite teacher was a Apache who had a van outside the Fort Hood, Texas gate. Sold souvenirs. Him and wife had a story for every item. Old tales not support to be perfect. Just a lesson.

[jeannemarie coulter]

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 different. 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 peace with each other and the planet.

so perfect it makes my heartsoul weep for what could be lost if humankind is not careful...thank you for the reminder...

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I stood with many tribes members and we stood in sadness. For the hate and wasting of the good earth. Hard to grasp the need to kill.