The Circle of Life - Four Directions Medicine Wheel
FOUR DIRECTIONS MEDICINE WHEEL
The Four Directions of the Medicine Wheel
represented by Four Sacred Colors.
different colors by different First Nations or Metis
passed down through Oral History.
the Lakota Nation - black for the West Direction,
the Cree Nation and the Metis - navy or dark blue.
The East Direction of Spirit provides for our spiritual needs
As we enter the world spiritual beings
to learn the ways of family, community and the world.
The South Direction of Heart provides for our emotional needs.
Becoming young men and young women,
we learn the yearnings of the heart, the happiness, the sadness.
The West Direction of Body provides for our physical needs.
As adults, taking responsibility of our actions and words.
The North Direction of Mind provides for our mental needs.
Becoming wise through life experiences,
we provide guidance to teach others.
We learn decisions we make now
affect the next seven generations.
Moving from the east in the circle of Life,
to the south, to the west and to the north.
Combining the gifts of the Four Directions,
spirit, heart, body and mind,
we have Come Full Circle in our development.
THE MEDICINE WHEEL -THE FOUR DIRECTIONS - THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
The Medicine Wheel symbolizes The Universe
The Circle of Life, from birth to death
called The Sacred Circle or The Sacred Hoop.
In Aboriginal cultures, the Aboriginal names are as many
as there are Aboriginal nations and their languages.
This comes as a result of oral history...
teachings passed on from generation to generation, orally
so, each teacher would pass on their teachings
universal teachings with specific traditions.
The Medicine Wheel represented on the ground as the universe
with twelve stones in a large circle.
Four larger stones sitting in the east, south, west and north of the circle
represent the Four Directions, the Four Seasons.
The largest stone in the center, represents the Great Mystery or Great Creator.
From the centre, smaller stones lead to larger stones,
the Four Directions.
When we approach the Medicine Wheel,
from the East direction, the place of birth and spring growth.
walking clockwise around the circle to the South Direction, the place of learning, to the West Direction, the place of introspection,
to the north, the place of wisdom,
back to the east, our place of rebirth.
This is called Coming Full Circle.
Symbolically, we may have to be reborn many times
to learn the lessons in life that we need to learn
for personal and spiritual growth.
THE FOUR SACRED GIFTS FOR LIFE
Creator gave Four Sacred Gifts for Life Sustenance:
from the East Direction the gift of fire for warmth from the sun;
to the South Direction, the gift of rock through Mother Earth;
from the West Direction, the gift of water,
to the North Direction, the gift of wind or air to breathe.
This is all that we need to live and sustain ourselves in the world.
THE FOUR SEASONS
To honor the Four Directions of the Four Seasons of Mother Earth's Life Cycle, the Medicine Wheel represents:
from the East, the Spring Equinox and spring time,
to the South, the Summer Solstice and summer,
to the West, the Autumn Equinox and fall
to the North, the Winter Solstice and winter time.
Aboriginal people hold ceremonies at these times to honor Mother Earth.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the east, sunrise is symbol of enlightenment.
Earth Relations: sacred sun for fire, warmth and light for the day
and sacred herbs for medicine.
In the south, mid-day, the highest point of the day is growth, development, creativity.
Earth Relations: the sacred earth for life sustenance
and grasses for animals.
In the west, sunset, maturity, sharing and loyalty. Giving thanks, sacrifice,
Courage to see ourselves in our introspection
Earth Relations: the sacred water for life sustenance and vegetables for nourishment.
In the north, midnight, wisdom from years of experience,
practicing spiritual and cultural traditions.
A harsh environment, the north wind, modern technology.
The midnight of our lives, when the candle of daily living is extinguished
and we travel to the spirit world,
or we are reborn at dawn the next morning to live another day
to learn the lessons of life's experiences for spiritual growth.
Earth Relations: the wind, air, the stars
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMALS
The Four Directions of the Medicine Wheel
represented by different animals in the different directions.
The animals represented differently by each different First Nations or Metis.
The East, symbolized by the Golden Eagle whose gift if illumination
The South, symbolized by the Mouse whose gift is trust
The West, symbolized by the Bear, whose gift is introspection
The North, symbolized by the White Buffalo, whose gift if communication.
EAST DIRECTION - SPIRITUAL - SPIRIT
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The East, symbolized by the golden eagle
whose gift of illumination and understanding
provides us with vision we need in our lives.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the East Direction, the place of the spirit.
The sacredness of infancy and childhood.
Newborn babies closest to the Creator
as they have just arrived from the spirit world.
We are to work on developing ourselves spiritually.
This is the direction of unconditional love.
When we have unconditional love, we are truly spiritual.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the east, sunrise is symbol of enlightenment.
Earth Relations: sacred sun for fire,
warmth and light for the day
sacred herbs for medicine.
SOUTH DIRECTION – EMOTIONAL - HEART
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The South, symbolized by the Mouse whose gift is trust.
Mouse has to have trust in his heart
as he walks through the tall grass,
he will come out safe from harm.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the South Direction, the place of the heart. Adolescence.
We are to work on developing ourselves emotionally,
to deal with heart issues, our first love,
friendships, our times of happiness and sadness.
This is the direction of honesty.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the south, mid-day, the highest point of the day
is growth, development, creativity.
Earth Relations: the sacred earth for life sustenance
and grasses for animals.
WEST DIRECTION – PHYSICAL - BODY
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The West, symbolized by the Bear, whose gift is introspection.
Bear Spirit with its gift of introspection able to find weakness.
So, we look at ourselves like the bear spirit to find our weaknesses.
In this way, we can strengthen our character.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the West Direction, the place of the physical and the body.
Adulthood. to work on developing ourselves physically, in sport and in work.
This is the direction of sharing what we have.
The west direction can be the dark time of depression
taking alcohol or drugs to deal with pain.
The time when youth could be involved in gangs
to deal with issues of growing up.
Like the Wesakechak stories,
we ask that youth find the strength within themselves
to work through life's challenges.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the west, sunset, maturity, sharing and loyalty.
Giving thanks and sacrifice,
Courage to see ourselves in our introspection
Earth Relations: the sacred water for life sustenance
vegetables for nourishment.
NORTH DIRECTION - Mental - Mind
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The North, symbolized by the White Buffalo, whose gift is wisdom.
White represents wisdom.
Animals, that have the rare color of white, like the buffalo,
believed to be part of the sacred prophecy of hope.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the North Direction, the place of the intellectual and the mind,
the wisdom of Old Age.
We are to work on developing ourselves intellectually
through learning, listening to Elders and Story Tellers
learning through education.
This is the direction of wisdom
to make clear well-informed and wise decisions.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIVES
In the north, midnight, wisdom from years of experience,
practicing spiritual and cultural traditions.
A harsh environment, the north wind of modern technology.
The midnight of our lives, the candle of daily living extinguished
and we travel to the spirit world,
to be reborn at dawn the next morning to live another day
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Personal development in the Four Directions
to be done in a balanced manner,
so that one does not overshadow the other.
Spiritually connected to our Creator through prayer, fasting, ceremony.
Emotionally working on our unconditional love, healing our hearts.
Physically to work at being healthy.
Intellectually to develop our minds in a balanced manner,
giving the mind a rest through meditation.
All My Relations (the phrase that says all of these teachings in a prayer)..
Poetry Reading at North Battleford Public Library April 2007 and at Red Deer Public Library on June 17, 2008..
(published 2007 @Living Sky School Division, North Battleford, SK)
The Four Directions of the Medicine Wheel
represented by Four Sacred Colors.
different colors by different First Nations or Metis
passed down through Oral History.
the Lakota Nation - black for the West Direction,
the Cree Nation and the Metis - navy or dark blue.
The East Direction of Spirit provides for our spiritual needs
As we enter the world spiritual beings
to learn the ways of family, community and the world.
The South Direction of Heart provides for our emotional needs.
Becoming young men and young women,
we learn the yearnings of the heart, the happiness, the sadness.
The West Direction of Body provides for our physical needs.
As adults, taking responsibility of our actions and words.
The North Direction of Mind provides for our mental needs.
Becoming wise through life experiences,
we provide guidance to teach others.
We learn decisions we make now
affect the next seven generations.
Moving from the east in the circle of Life,
to the south, to the west and to the north.
Combining the gifts of the Four Directions,
spirit, heart, body and mind,
we have Come Full Circle in our development.
THE MEDICINE WHEEL -THE FOUR DIRECTIONS - THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
The Medicine Wheel symbolizes The Universe
The Circle of Life, from birth to death
called The Sacred Circle or The Sacred Hoop.
In Aboriginal cultures, the Aboriginal names are as many
as there are Aboriginal nations and their languages.
This comes as a result of oral history...
teachings passed on from generation to generation, orally
so, each teacher would pass on their teachings
universal teachings with specific traditions.
The Medicine Wheel represented on the ground as the universe
with twelve stones in a large circle.
Four larger stones sitting in the east, south, west and north of the circle
represent the Four Directions, the Four Seasons.
The largest stone in the center, represents the Great Mystery or Great Creator.
From the centre, smaller stones lead to larger stones,
the Four Directions.
When we approach the Medicine Wheel,
from the East direction, the place of birth and spring growth.
walking clockwise around the circle to the South Direction, the place of learning, to the West Direction, the place of introspection,
to the north, the place of wisdom,
back to the east, our place of rebirth.
This is called Coming Full Circle.
Symbolically, we may have to be reborn many times
to learn the lessons in life that we need to learn
for personal and spiritual growth.
THE FOUR SACRED GIFTS FOR LIFE
Creator gave Four Sacred Gifts for Life Sustenance:
from the East Direction the gift of fire for warmth from the sun;
to the South Direction, the gift of rock through Mother Earth;
from the West Direction, the gift of water,
to the North Direction, the gift of wind or air to breathe.
This is all that we need to live and sustain ourselves in the world.
THE FOUR SEASONS
To honor the Four Directions of the Four Seasons of Mother Earth's Life Cycle, the Medicine Wheel represents:
from the East, the Spring Equinox and spring time,
to the South, the Summer Solstice and summer,
to the West, the Autumn Equinox and fall
to the North, the Winter Solstice and winter time.
Aboriginal people hold ceremonies at these times to honor Mother Earth.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the east, sunrise is symbol of enlightenment.
Earth Relations: sacred sun for fire, warmth and light for the day
and sacred herbs for medicine.
In the south, mid-day, the highest point of the day is growth, development, creativity.
Earth Relations: the sacred earth for life sustenance
and grasses for animals.
In the west, sunset, maturity, sharing and loyalty. Giving thanks, sacrifice,
Courage to see ourselves in our introspection
Earth Relations: the sacred water for life sustenance and vegetables for nourishment.
In the north, midnight, wisdom from years of experience,
practicing spiritual and cultural traditions.
A harsh environment, the north wind, modern technology.
The midnight of our lives, when the candle of daily living is extinguished
and we travel to the spirit world,
or we are reborn at dawn the next morning to live another day
to learn the lessons of life's experiences for spiritual growth.
Earth Relations: the wind, air, the stars
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMALS
The Four Directions of the Medicine Wheel
represented by different animals in the different directions.
The animals represented differently by each different First Nations or Metis.
The East, symbolized by the Golden Eagle whose gift if illumination
The South, symbolized by the Mouse whose gift is trust
The West, symbolized by the Bear, whose gift is introspection
The North, symbolized by the White Buffalo, whose gift if communication.
EAST DIRECTION - SPIRITUAL - SPIRIT
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The East, symbolized by the golden eagle
whose gift of illumination and understanding
provides us with vision we need in our lives.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the East Direction, the place of the spirit.
The sacredness of infancy and childhood.
Newborn babies closest to the Creator
as they have just arrived from the spirit world.
We are to work on developing ourselves spiritually.
This is the direction of unconditional love.
When we have unconditional love, we are truly spiritual.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the east, sunrise is symbol of enlightenment.
Earth Relations: sacred sun for fire,
warmth and light for the day
sacred herbs for medicine.
SOUTH DIRECTION – EMOTIONAL - HEART
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The South, symbolized by the Mouse whose gift is trust.
Mouse has to have trust in his heart
as he walks through the tall grass,
he will come out safe from harm.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the South Direction, the place of the heart. Adolescence.
We are to work on developing ourselves emotionally,
to deal with heart issues, our first love,
friendships, our times of happiness and sadness.
This is the direction of honesty.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the south, mid-day, the highest point of the day
is growth, development, creativity.
Earth Relations: the sacred earth for life sustenance
and grasses for animals.
WEST DIRECTION – PHYSICAL - BODY
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The West, symbolized by the Bear, whose gift is introspection.
Bear Spirit with its gift of introspection able to find weakness.
So, we look at ourselves like the bear spirit to find our weaknesses.
In this way, we can strengthen our character.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the West Direction, the place of the physical and the body.
Adulthood. to work on developing ourselves physically, in sport and in work.
This is the direction of sharing what we have.
The west direction can be the dark time of depression
taking alcohol or drugs to deal with pain.
The time when youth could be involved in gangs
to deal with issues of growing up.
Like the Wesakechak stories,
we ask that youth find the strength within themselves
to work through life's challenges.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIFE
In the west, sunset, maturity, sharing and loyalty.
Giving thanks and sacrifice,
Courage to see ourselves in our introspection
Earth Relations: the sacred water for life sustenance
vegetables for nourishment.
NORTH DIRECTION - Mental - Mind
THE MEDICINE WHEEL ANIMAL
The North, symbolized by the White Buffalo, whose gift is wisdom.
White represents wisdom.
Animals, that have the rare color of white, like the buffalo,
believed to be part of the sacred prophecy of hope.
OUR PERSONAL MEDICINE WHEEL
In the North Direction, the place of the intellectual and the mind,
the wisdom of Old Age.
We are to work on developing ourselves intellectually
through learning, listening to Elders and Story Tellers
learning through education.
This is the direction of wisdom
to make clear well-informed and wise decisions.
THE FOUR DIRECTIONS IN OUR DAILY LIVES
In the north, midnight, wisdom from years of experience,
practicing spiritual and cultural traditions.
A harsh environment, the north wind of modern technology.
The midnight of our lives, the candle of daily living extinguished
and we travel to the spirit world,
to be reborn at dawn the next morning to live another day
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Personal development in the Four Directions
to be done in a balanced manner,
so that one does not overshadow the other.
Spiritually connected to our Creator through prayer, fasting, ceremony.
Emotionally working on our unconditional love, healing our hearts.
Physically to work at being healthy.
Intellectually to develop our minds in a balanced manner,
giving the mind a rest through meditation.
All My Relations (the phrase that says all of these teachings in a prayer)..
Poetry Reading at North Battleford Public Library April 2007 and at Red Deer Public Library on June 17, 2008..
(published 2007 @Living Sky School Division, North Battleford, SK)
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