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..........

[Terry O'Leary]

" ... we are one. We need to work together. Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts." Words of wisdom... wonderful write!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Terry for reading and the comment. I agree with your line.
"Red, black, white and yellow were given gifts."

[Terry O'Leary]

I keep coming back to this because it's so good!!

[barleygirl]

First off, I would've posted this in "essay" rather than "poem." There are people who never read poetry that would be missing this lovely expose. Secondly, there are mistakes, but it doesn't detract from the piece. In fact, I can "hear" you speaking in a Native way, which is different than plain American English. The substance of your piece transcends this petty business of writing, anyway. I was spellbound. I have no Native blood, but have been interested in the Native ways & spirituality for 30 years or so. I like your telling of this information. I have been severely disabled for many years & now I'm finally getting more of my body back, as I approach age 60. Now that I can walk & carry a large stone, I'm planning to make a medicine wheel in my yard, by my rustic & remote cabin in the wildnerness. I will use your information. The most unique thing I never heard or considered is thinking of the different colors associated with the different directions, but equating it to the colors of people & showing our connectedness. This is a brilliant point. Especially right now, when our planet is rife with strife & violence. I might write an actual poem (in contrast to your essay here) weaving together some of this awesome info. If I do, you'll be the first to read it. I just started this website today, so I'm not into a routine yet. I'll share one of my poems with you. It's an acrostic, with the first letters of every sentence spelling out: GREAT SPIRIT . . .

Gift of
Right knowing
Everlasting
All loving
Tolerance
Sage Lessons
Peaceful
Inspiration
Rich
In Uplifting
Thoughtfulness

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right. It is a essay. Just years of learning gathered into one poem. I look forward to reading your poem. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[B J Hughes]

Barleygirl, you comment is GOLDEN! As well as your acrostic. Thank you for sharing your heart and mind in such an eloquent expression. Peace, Bill

[barleygirl]

Thank you so much for this unexpected comment! *smile*

[faryn wolff]

very significant that i would come across your poem today. Spirit glows through your words.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and when we learn. Every life had value. Will be a better place for all to live.

[TheMalady]

I really didn't mind the mistakes here. It seem all so natural and just went with the flow of the story. It feels as though the very tongue of the character is speaking to me and your words just magically allows me to travel to his world. This story is so wonderful. The wisdom you shared to us is a great lesson. Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful piece! You're awesome. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very kind and thank you for reading. I wish we will learn. One earth and one people. The world is getting smaller. We must get along.

[TheMalady]

You're very welcome. That is true. If only people is like the character in your story, then we won't need to act so indifferently because of differences. :) We must get along. That is the key to a harmonious relationship. ;)

[Miss Sharon]

This is so beautifully written Coyote. I love to read about the history and wisdom of our Native American Indians. You capture and share their light, power, love and wisdom in this amazing write. Thank you! ~Sharon

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Miss Sharon. I agree. I love history. History of all races and cultures should teach us. We need to get along.

[Ovi-Odiete]

This make is unique in its own ways...

Indeed we are all one....

[Coyote Poetry]

Yes we are. Every life had value. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Winter-est]

Thank you so moocher this beautiful piece.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Anna]

You certainly have a talent for what you do. Keep it up.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Anna for reading. I was lucky. The Army send me to good places. I was lucky enough to be taught the herbal cures and to live in peace with nature.

[Anna]

Yes, I would say that's very lucky. Those skills sound quite useful.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree and I will teach my grandchildren the same.

[softlyfall]

Inspired by you:

Slow shadows slide across the stoney wall
That holds my world within its boundaries-
Coyote looks down from this palisade
And sees that I, once lost in wandering,
Am but a ghost, returned from formlessness
To gather bones from Earth's damp catacombs
And feathers from the sky, and eyes of pitch
That, quickened, I can rise up from such death
And safely turn my back on Coyote.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for the poem. Ghosts do become many with a long life.

[softlyfall]

Oddly enough, the mistakes in this didn't detract much for me because all the thoughts, the story line, even the self as protagonist seem wholly genuine and therefore fascinated me.
I wish you would rewrite some native american mythology to be stylistically relevant to young modern readers who have never had the privilege of hearing them. Or, better yet, make up your own based on what you know and believe

[Coyote Poetry]

I have enough of the old knowledge. Maybe this year. I will try to make time. Thank you for reading and the positive comment.

[softlyfall]

I am no sycophant , my friend. I say what is in my heart and speak the truth even if my voice shakes. I will not tell you what you want to hear, not always, but I promise I will always be completely truthful.