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..........

[Spaceman26]

Very cool poem. All of the native american stuff that you wrote about in your poem reminds me of when I went out to Arizona. Very cool out there!

[Coyote Poetry]

I like Arizona also. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Shivai]

This is just beautiful, the way it opened my eyes to see the world differently. Your narration and writing is doubtlessly amazing, poem just compelled me to read on and on, how the old man tells us that we all are equal and together we can make this world a better place, and ourselves better people. Also it teaches us to be proud of who we are, that every being on earth has a purpose and that we have forgotten it and the values of it, "does the same things". Oh its just really nice to read such a beauty that tells us so many important things. Really well written Coyote, love it. -Shivai

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Shivai. I appreciate the comment.

[Sheryl]

I found this to be very interesting and blessed, my fathers mother was Indian;however,
I have yet to find out the tribe. Your poem has great value and wisdom, I feel privileged
to have read this piece, please keep sharing your wisdom, because it is highly valued by
me and I'm certain many more....Sheryl

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sheryl. Easy to trace heritage. Find place and location of parent and relative birth. Certain tribes lived in parts of the USA.

[Sheryl]

Thank You, I have tried before,but I believe I had misinformation;however, your words have encouraged me to dig deeper...Thank You :)

[E.VA]

I find myself at a loss as how to comment upon this piece that has not yet been said by countless others. I found it quite enjoyable to read and I learned something regarding the medicine wheel I didn't know before, what each of the colours meant beyond the winds. It was interesting to learn the further associations of people, paths, states of being and internal states. Thank you for creating a poem that allowed me to learn more about cultures so I am better able to aid my soon to be born son, understand the world. :) The only thing I would have added to this poem is perhaps a portion where the elders spoke of the dream catcher mentioned near to the beginning :)

Take care and be well.
E.VA

[Coyote Poetry]

Dream catcher is another long story. Maybe I will invest time in the story of the Dream Catcher. Thank you for reading and the comment. I was lucky. U.S Army send me to tropical places and the Middle East. We can learn so much from the ancient cultures.

[Ruby Naa H.]

we really need peace and we also have to share what we've got to the world. well spoken

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[Not here]

see told ya, nothing but excellent poetry :)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very kind Dante. Just old wisdom taught by good elders.

[jeannemarie coulter]

much enjoyed the thoughtful poem...your overall image of the native american teacher giving freely his knowledge is wonderful...a well penned word tapestry

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Jeanne Marie. I appreciate the comment.

[Valentine]

My mom taught me the adage, red, yellow, black, and white. All are precious in God's sight. We need to love and respect each other. Valentine

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. I pray we learn this ASAP. Thank you Valentine for reading and your comment.

[Valentine]

I loved all of the things you put into this write. Kathie

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kathie.

[Sindu]

A rapturous tale. There is some new to learn everyday and something old to remember and acknowledge.
This has a bit of everything.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sindu. Old Native American's belief. Us and Nature must get along.

[Sindu]

Every one from older generations understand that, better than now atleast.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. Easy to forget the old ways.

[Sindu]

In a fast paced life.

[The Archon]

I really enjoyed this poetry. It can not be expressed enough, how important the lesson taught here is. I especially like the concept that each color of people are bestowed with certain gifts and are to offer them to the earth. instead of dividing ourselves, we can see unity and common purpose, the circle. Thank you for this wonderful poem.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. Will take the four corners of the world to work together to know peace.