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..........

[EMMIE]

I LOVE THE PRIDE YOU PORTRAY IN THIS

I'm proud of my Ojibwa heritage.
I'm proud of my Mexican/white heritage.

I CAN APPRECIATE ANYBODY WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK UP AND STAND OUT AS YOU HAVE DONE IN THIS GREAT POEM!

[Susanna F]

Very beautiful, I've never read anything like this. It encompasses so much - faith, emotions, social criticism and somehow, am ancient story. Thought provoking and lovely. This racial unity is something I will think on more, and I believe you are right.

[Sultry Sundance]

Coyote, I enjoyed this very much. I have learned in my years some parts of this story but have never had the whole thing put together. I thank you for your enlightenment. May peace always be with you and all of us.

[Larry Dyson]

Me Takuye Oyasin ... we are all related(created as one.. together).very true brother.

[Crystal Marie Rome]

This poem made me a little sad but then I think of your openness to learn. We need more people in the world like you, I loved your poem and I really hope people never stop learning.

[writing mojo]

Such beautiful representation of the wisdom passed onto you. Your a strong honest soul learning through the eyes of elders guiding your unique light into a new man kind...amazing stuff

[李[A]]

This piece was a wonderful read! Just like the other poem of your I have read so far, I enjoy the personal anecdote that you tell to express your feelings and an even greater picture: including the place, the exposition, etc.

Thematically speaking, I was enthralled by the direction this poem took. I first though of it as a journey toward sanity, toward asylum, a place to think, etc. I then realized that the poem was making a statement about the contributions of all types of people to our planet. The colors present a nicely molded motif of your overall theme in the fact that it allows the visual of your meaning.

In terms of structure, I am fascinated by how you can incorporate such wonderful, meaningful dialog so meticulously and yet not overly intricate. I enjoy the parallel structure in the second to last stanza and others throughout the poem. This was a wonderful write with such clear intent. Writing from your own experiences and visceral gut, it seems like you have such wonderfully sculpted poems. Well done!

[Muse]

I come from a Native American Heritage. I believe the white man was threatened by their wisdom. So instead of learning from them it was just easier to kill them, push them aside, so we could spread our ignorant ways. The Hopi Indians tell a prophesy there will come a time that we will all reap what damage has been sewed. I think it's too late to change our ways. We now have to maintain what little knowledge we have and try to teach the next generation a better way of living and loving one another.

[Becky C Strukamp]

Your story telling is devine. I loved reading it over and over. One can get lost in the words. Your imagery is excellent. Each time I read one of your wonderful writings, I feel I learn valuable life lessons. Thank you for writing and sharing. You area remarkable writer.

[An owl on the moon]

There is a wondrous longing here to unite the world.. all peoples gathered as one... praying for peace.. oh yes... may it be so. We so rarely seek wisdom and peace in our lives today.. let us find a desire once again.