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..........

[Debbie_Philly]

Love this...deep and spiritual...took me there 😊

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Debbie. I appreciate the comment,

[1VJ]

Beautifully penned sentiment, full of informative narratives. We are one but unfortunately our own worst enemy most times. Peace is fleeting, we need more Medicine Wheels and those who believe it possible.

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we could believe in one world and one people before it is too late. Thank you Paloma for reading and the comment.

[Karmee]

Teach us the four winds.
Give us wisdom.
Teach us humility.
Show us clarity.
Allow us to trust our brothers.

Love these lines so very much, this is awesome

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kitseth. I pray we learn to get along ASAP.

[Black]

I do Love it, like all your other works

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. I appreciate the comment.

[θεά]

This is such informed and sensitive piece of writing!
Enjoyed every bit of it. It seems to be written by a professional storyteller, with its natural flow into the narrative, with the wisdom of the ancient natives transmitted onto the generation and race that has to know and conserve a rapidly changing world!

Amazing piece of writing Coyote! I am so glad I read this. It indeed has been an inspiring read!

Keep up the good work!
Best,
M.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Mallika. I appreciate the comment.

[Rene Velez]

A lot of wisdom in this piece, something I have learned and take with me, thanks Coyote, spiritually enriching.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Rene. When we learn. One people and one planet. Maybe we can learn peace. For the sake of the children.

[Rene Velez]

Selfishness is something adults seem to relish in. Indeed, one planet one people. You are an inspiration my friend.

[D]

And you should never forget. It makes you who you are. The world needs wise people, like you. Nice write.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Kossuth. I appreciate the comment.

[D]

Lol. I wish I was him. But I'm just another one to follow the great general of the 1848 March 15th revolution. :) you're welcome.

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

Well, this was a very interesting read, I love to cross by with readings that teach me about other cultures and learn about how dear things are to them. I am glad you did this and I enjoyed every second of it, I am glad you are bringing this put aside culture where people can explore and deepen into the natives, I believe most who do not know of their cultures should have more readings like this where they can reflect and familiarize with who they are and where they come from. Cultures are little by little dying off, but i know that there are those few who still stick to culture and customs to remember who they are and why they are the way they are. Thank you for writing this very interesting and magical piece.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate the positive comment.

[Schatzi]

Hello Coyote Poetry,

Your story was very beautiful. Like you, I have several full-blooded Native American friends, as well as, having a shared DNA with them. It is a common misconception that the four colours that form the backbone of the Native American culture are in respect to race. Maybe it is different with the Apache clans but I have always been taught the four colours are in reference to the four corners of Mother Earth. White is in reference to the North because it is cold and covered in snow, Yellow is in reference to the Sun because that is where the bright yellow rays of the Sun appear to welcome us to a new day, Black is in reference to the South because it is very hot in relation to where the Plains Natives lived and the wild fires were born from there, and Red is in reference to the West because that is where the Sun sets and gives off a reddish colour before disappearing and giving way to the night sky.

Regardless, there is beauty in the Native American culture and their ways. I have great respect for both. Thank you for sharing this version.

Kinds regards,

Schatzi

[Coyote Poetry]

Many versions. I liked this one. Old Native wisdom. One planet and one people. We must get along for the sake of the children. Thank you Schatzi for reading and the comment.

[Farmgirl]

I like this Coyote .
I love reading about my Indian heritage .


By the way I'm back ! ;)

[Coyote Poetry]

Good to have you back and thank you for reading.

[Farmgirl]

Tja is and you are very welcome... Your pieces are always astounding to me I quite enjoy visiting from time to time for a good write from you.