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..........

[Girl With A Pen]

A very prideful and peaceful write! Your writing never cease to amaze me

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Poet. I appreciate the comment.

[Mary Helda]

I am captivatex by your writing...great piece

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. There is four corners in the world. Each needed to become one in goals for peace to repair our world.

[russ]

That's the beauty of spiritual writing, nothing is set in stone. You're continuing the oral tradition and sharing this knowledge in your own voice, I dig your style.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Russ. I appreciate the comment.

[russ]

game recognize game

[Great Aunt Astri]

I think there is such wisdom in the old ways, lets hope that the sentiments rise up and influence us all. I found your story so reassuring and hopefully all is not lost. You story, a narrative, is so well written. Simple, to the point with a tremendous punch. Good for you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you and I agree. Need the old dreams of peace. Before we can't go back.

[Solar]

A noble message in this writing - I learned a lot. Truly it shows how in all directions - the diversity of humanity enriches us all.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. We need all people to act as one to ensure the world leaders are working for peace, not profit . Would be a better world. Thank you Solar for reading and the comment.

[Solar]

You are most welcome - your writings inspire.

[Alfred Kukitz]

This wisdom has moved through centuries. There will always be someone, some people who know the ingredients for a saved world. The waiting goes on and on.

Thanks for your writing Coyote!

Regards,
Al

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. But we cannot give-in or give-up. Maybe we can be like a movement of a hand, creating a wave of hope in the stream expanding to a hurricane for peace.

[Wicahpi]

http://aktalakota.stjo.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8592 - this is the Lakota version - the way my late husband taught me.

I enjoyed the Apache version and the story that went with it. So many different traditions and teachings. All, each, have value! Thank you for sharing your story!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. I believe each vision of the Medicine wheel is from the mind and life of the teller. I have heard many versions. Thank you for reading and the comment my dear friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the site. I like their version. More nature than man.

[Wicahpi]

My pleasure! I wonder who will step up when the elders pass on. Who will continue the stories and teachings. I love the Lakota stories/teachings. Especially about Iktomi (spider) and the coyote stories.

[Wicahpi]

The Lakota are very into the Land - definitely nature based. I've always treasured that

[Wicahpi]

I've always wanted to visit the Medicine Wheel "Bighorn Mountain Medicine Wheel" in Wyoming. One day I hope to. I lived in Nebraska 13 years and never went! Ack

[Coyote Poetry]

When I retire. I will go to the Bighorn Mountain. One of places I want to see too. From Detroit would be a good journey. Michigan to Wyoming using the Upper Michigan route.

[Wicahpi]

Sounds like a good plan!

[avant security guard]

this was great
I liked it a lot
authentic--real--emotion filled--that's what I like
keep it going

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[Dane Osborne]

This was excellent. I can see a real growth in your words and your style since I last stopped by. Also, I have always had a deep interest and admiration for Native American culture. They had no greed or even a need for money until the white settlers came. They didn't believe in lying and only spoke when it was important and to the point and if it wasn't true then there was no point in even saying it. They have a respect and overall view of nature that I deeply respect. I always thought their mythology and spiritual beliefs were extremely fascinating.
In terms of how I view God, I can relate more to the conception of the "Great Spirit" as opposed to the conception of God as some white grandfatherly figure with a long white beard shaking his finger "No No" every time one has premarital sex or drinks a beer on Sunday.

There is a purity to the culture that strikes me and always has. You expressed that purity very well in this poem.
I always thought that a wise old indian man would be the coolest type of person to talk with and learn from.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Dane. I appreciate the comment.