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..........

[writ rajat]

You need not any review from this poor writer you have written so well

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very kind and I appreciate the comment,

[Carol Cashes]

This is bursting with age-old wisdom, but told in a fresh new way. A lesser skilled writer would have relied too heavily on the "sermon", but you allowed the Old Apache, in his spare and brief words, to spread the Good Word. Your work is really a joy to read, all pieces are different and one never knows until they start reading exactly what they're going to get....Carry on....

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Carol. Old Native Americans advice. Still needed today.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Very enlightening composition - with emotional truths and poignant messages! I am reminded of this Cree Proverb;
Realise that we as human beings have been put on this earth for only a short time and that we must use this time to gain wisdom, knowledge, respect and the understanding for all human beings since we are all relatives.

[Coyote Poetry]

The Cree Proverb is wise. Thank you Phil for reading and the comment.

[Mark Mendoza]

This was a grand tale of the way of life . Thanks for sharing

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[lucera]

I absolutely love this.
I enjoyed reading it, and felt empowered, in a way, and reading it made me feel more enthusiastic to try to reach out and show people that embracing color is the way of life.
Thank you for sharing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lucera for reading and the comment. I do appreciate. I pray for peace daily.

[AprilRN1210]

your page always feels so warm, welcoming and "familiar".. isn't that what love is supposed to be like? that same feeling of familiar.. we come from it, so it should be within us all. you write from the heart and it shows in the beauty of your words and the feeling that the reader walks away with. I have missed you and hope that you are well my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm okay dear friend. I agree. Life should be love and love should be life.

[BlaqkShadow]

Many good points made in a fantastic and beautiful way, beautiful writing :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Old wisdom. We need the old wisdom. One earth and one people. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Carol Phelan Aebby]

Greetings!

This is such an inspiring and thought provoking write pointing out the different traits of peoples. Traits that if brought together can bring peace, wisdom, humility, courage and love to mankind. Those who embrace nature learn from it.

With respect and smiles,

Carol Phelan Aebby

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Carol for reading and the comment. When we learn. Earth is getting smaller and we must get along. One earth and one people.

[Maria]

This is great to know and learn about. Loved reading the whole thing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Maria for reading and the comment. One earth and one people. We must get along for the sake of all the children.

[Maria]

Amen to that

[KBW]

You have a way with words as always.
Nice read my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend. I appreciate the comment.