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..........

[YouoweYoupay]

I enjoy learning about spiritually-cleansing rituals, gatherings and celebrations. I took my sweet time to look at the compass. I particularly liked the Wolf.. the animal's curiosity and adventure.. the power of the moon.

We are one.. Yet very few are awake to the truth.

"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."

-This was one of my favorite parts in your story.

Thank you for sharing, Coyote. :)

~Rain.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rain. I appreciate the comment.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Truly powerful message, thought evoking and gripping... Could not turn away from this read!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I pray daily for peace. Maybe all children will go to sleep safe and sound with proper shelter and food one day.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

What a glorious day that would be, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

Maybe one day?

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

We can hope.

[J.Lorentis]

I really love your work . I can't wait too read all of them . Nice work

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[SJ Mullins]

This is one of the most poignant pieces I have read in a very long time. It really touches my soul. My grandfather was 100% Cherokee, yet I know very little about the culture, but have always had an interest. I have never heard of the medicine wheel. You describe it so eloquently, and the way you wrote this, it really tugs at my emotions. It saddens me that because the white men wanted the land, the Native Americans who could have taught them so much, were basically driven out of their homes and pushed to near extinction. Such a sad thing. So much culture has been lost because of ignorance. I don't for the life of me understand why people of different races and cultures cannot get along and coexist. What a much better world it would be for us all. I LOVED THIS! Best thing you have written that I have read so far! Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading more!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I agree. In a world seeking war over peace. I pray we learn to seek peace over war.

[SJ Mullins]

This is so true!

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Coyote, I enjoyed reading this very much, I have a deep respect for the wisdom this imparts and that it embraces that we are more the same than we are different. Izzy

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right . I pray we can get along. Old world dancing on dangerous edge today. Thank you for reading.

[Island Hippy]

You're welcome

[Weeping willow]

Love your words of wisdom in this beautiful poem.The Native Americans are wise souls and the only way we will find peace is to bring together all people of Mother to join hands and connect to the brotherhood of Man;-]

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. I hope we do it soon. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Alicia Cubatoso]

wonderful, applause! I'm glad I read that. it was deep, mysterious, and intriguing. Well done!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Alicia. I appreciate he comment.

[Kesha]

The medicine wheel is very sacred in our tribes, this expressed that very well! I liked it a lot, I'm happy you were able to share this with others on here who do not know of the medicine wheel, nicely written :)

I am of the Makwa clan, and leech lake band of Ojibwe. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kesha. Old wisdom is needed in our world.

[Kesha]

Yes it is, very true

[The Iron Horseman]

Global brotherhood is a noble ambition, but it is rather like trying to stuff twenty cats in a sack! I enjoyed this, but it will require concrete action to achieve your dream rather than wishful thinking. Nice work, though.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. 20 cats in a sack would be easier. I hope we haven't surpass the possibilities of peace. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[The Iron Horseman]

If enough people believe in the dream, then maybe something will happen! Let's keep hoping!

[J Manuel]

The voice, tone and message in this is write is apropos for the times of today, yesterday and tomorrow. I found myself flowing in the river of wisdom in this piece. As one of Puerto Rican ancestry who never forgets the Taino Indian story, I highly appreciate your work. The Native blood not only runs through South America but also certain regions of the Caribbean as well, excellent work.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. We must hold on to our heritage. We came from great people.

[J Manuel]

Yes indeed we must