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..........

[Sally Hope]

I had to read it twice to fully appreciate the timelessness of what you've written. Such a mesmerizing piece. I loved how this piece takes place over such a long period of time.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sally for reading. My Ojibwa Grandmother taught me. We must respect each other, love nature and allow our kid to know freedom.

[Insight "MH"]

Well done, this was so beautifully put together.

Insight.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Insight. I appreciate the comment.

[PoeticChico]

I was so captivated by what you wrote here.

The message is so beautiful, so timeless.

We are all ONE indeed.

Thank you for the incredible lesson!

[Coyote Poetry]

A Native American hope and dream. We need to be used today. A sad world when we think distance separate war and violence from us. Thank you Alex for reading and the comment.

[PoeticChico]

You are very welcome! Keep on spreading the truth.

[Philip Muls]

Fascinating write. Stronger together.

Well done.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Philip. I appreciate the comment.

[KeiseRaven]

A very nice read. I love how you try to place image in your piece. Keep it up.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you KeiseRaven for reading and the commnet. I do appreciate.

[Riv]

I have native american blood in me, and it makes me proud even if it doesn't play a huge role in my life. Since I mainly have irish blood and native american blood in me. Sometimes I just try to be proud of who I am anyway.

[Coyote Poetry]

You should be proud of the Irish and the Native American. Both had struggle and maintains. Look at history. The Irish were abused once. Came here to escape Europe and found hard times at the beginning.

[Priscilla Sayers]

You have connected to my Soul
I too use the medicine will
I practice my culture long lost to those of my blood
And you have brought me this blessing
To know there is someone like me

[Coyote Poetry]

I was lucky. My dear Ojibwa Grandmother taught me natural cures. I teach today. A honor to know you my friend also.

[Priscilla Sayers]

To teach me would be a blessing
But only if you have the time

[Coyote Poetry]

I have a story called the Water, sky and the earth on the W.C. I teach the Native American meditation and a lot of simple herbal cures. I recommend the Rosemary tea for woman. Make the body flow better and help the blood. Later this year. I will try to finish the story "The water, the sky and the earth.

[Priscilla Sayers]

Wonderful sounds great

[icelandicblue]

We are part of a wheel blown in from the four corners of the world. I found myself very moved by your words. The fire burns too brightly and we have been blinded by what we have done. Someone must carry those memories for us until we are brave enough to embrace them and become the spokes of the wheel once more..

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree and I hope we learn ASAP. One people and one planet. We must get along for the sake if the children.

[The Heimerdonger]

I love the compass and the using peoples skin color instead of trying to be racially sensitive it shows your a passionate gead strong writer who writes to please himself and doesnt have to please others.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. Color is just what we see on the outside. What is important. Is what is in our heart and mind.

[Blue Bird]

I Love it. Beautifully written and so true

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Blue Bird. Would be a better world if we got a long and worked together.

[Blue Bird]

yes it would be