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..........

[GhostWriter]

Such a bitter sweet read. Knowing this is the way to better world! But also knowing we may be to far into our new ways to retrieve peace.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope we haven't gone too far to find peace. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Riddhi]

I agree with you that all humans are one
whether black or white ,
it does not matter
wonderful write
i really enjoyed it
keep on writing
thanks for sharing
Riddhi

[Coyote Poetry]

Old Native American wisdom. We must act as one, the four corners of our world. One world and one people. Thank you riddhi for reading and the kind words.

[Riddhi]

Welcome....

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

I hear and understand my brother. The truth of your story comes in many forms as it is handed down through time. The the tongue that speaks and the words may sound different, but the truth is the same for those who will listen with their heart.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. Need a effort of the four corners of our world to know peace. I hope we learn before a nuclear weapon is used. Thank you my friend for reading and the comment.

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

A great change is upon us. Do not worry for what men may do, nor of the evil one. Align with the creator, and be at peace within yourself. We are now the caterpillar who will become the butterfly. All is as it should be, my brother.

[Anonymous]

That was fantastic. You captured some really superb imagery and the story/poem really moved me. My definitely going to go do some research on the Native American Medicine Wheel now, thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

The Medicine wheel had great history. Many versions. In the end. We must work as one to find peace. Thank you Sami for reading and the comment.

[Anonymous]

You're very welcome! :)

[Greg Agee]

As an Apache I give you high praise for a wonderful job on the retelling of these stories in this circle. You have done an honorable thing in showing your respect and placing your good word with ours.

I loved the following two parts:

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, with sadness in his voice. Us Apache and Native Americans were responsible to protect Nature. We did a poor job."

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

Thank you for these words !!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Greg. Old hope and wishes. I believe another great chief said. If the white man don't change. When the bear and the wolves are gone. Man will follow.

[pammy55]

Well, I'm not sure. I'm not stupid and I'm really puzzled why ANTO would block a writer who has NEVER commented on his stuff. I can't imagine with all the hundreds of writers here he would even have herd of him even, yet he still blocked?

That HansJizzy made a crude comment to me, so I told my friend who then found out he was blocked and that he had also been blocked at exactly the same time by ANTO.

It's confusing.

[Coyote Poetry]

I wouldn't allow to concern you. Many good people on the site to share work with. Leave the naysayers to their own place.

[pammy55]

HansJizzy and anto are the same person. They both blocked someone at the same time and the person had never commented on anything anto wrote, so why did he block him?

[Coyote Poetry]

I do my best not to pay attention to HansJizzy. I'm not here for conflict. I'm here to read and learn. To improve and find worthwhile writers to read. Anto is cool with me. Dear pammy. Don't pay attention to the naysayers. Old wise saying. "Is the opinion of a negative voice or opinion worth the ink of the words written."

[hcarson]

i will be honest i was enjoying the poen/story/essay way too much to even notice if there was any grammatical errors. the words written far outweighed and silly mistakes in that it waas just perfect in the point it was making and very nicely put.if only we could live like that rather than fighing, hating,and judging. one of the lolveliest things i have read her in the truth that was told. perfection.full marks....please excuse my errors in spelling etc..it is too awkward on this little keyboard to change it :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading. My wish. This world could get along.

[hcarson]

totally agree but sadly i can't see it happening...those in charge will never allow it

[Coyote Poetry]

You are correct. Few words of peace are spoken by our modern leaders.

[A. Amos]

I am big fan of wisdom and love what you share above...I have shared wisdom of Hopi Indians in my novel...Unusual Love Story and hope you will enjoy the read. Thank you for sharing beautiful pearls of wisdoms, just loved it.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. What is the name of the novel?

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome and it's called, "Unusual Love Story."

[Coyote Poetry]

I will research now.

[Dhaye]

Nice story, Coyote. I learned something again about Native Americans.
BTW, I have beautiful dream catcher at home. I love dreaming. They are like beautiful movies I recall when I wake up.
Thank you for sharing this to us. Well-written. Keep it up!

[Coyote Poetry]

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