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..........

[Lola_Bee]

wow this is interesting and inspirational. well written

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Lola. Old wisdom, we need to remember and do.

[Cryingkate]

Enlightening ! Beautifully said as you always do. It was a treat to read your words again

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[Fachin Jofhi]

Didn't know about the 'Medicine Wheel', thank you for sharing the piece.
Made me feel I was there in soul and visualise your words.
Together in peace will this planet sustain.
A learning read.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Fachin. I appreciate the comment.

[Chris Shaw]

What a magnificent write, I have learned so much. It is so interesting to learn about other cultures and beliefs. I will always remember the four different winds and what they represent.It has been an eye opener to learn about Native Indians. Wherever we come from and whatever our beliefs we are children of the universe, family. And we should never forget that. My grandson has a dream catcher in his bedroom. Now I know why he has one. Peace to you and yours always.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Christine for reading and the comment. We must learn ASAP. One earth and one people. For the safety of all the children.

[C. James Snyder]

Beautiful piece. So much imagery. So much history. The story told needs no added creative language, it is that emotional.

[Coyote Poetry]

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

[z.chéri]

Pretty cool!
Also i have a poetry competition that i would love for you to enter! It ends in a couple days so i hope to see a submission from you! Keep writing! :)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I will check out.

[Richard McLin]

Damn man, that's a hell of a poem. It's like a poem and a short story had a baby. It's really good, but it's just crazy insane the size and scope of this piece. Great job.
-Richard

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Richard. A lot said in the poem. I appreciate the comment.,

[C. Lee Battaglia]

As a young adult, I am starting to understand more and more each day about the world we live in... About who we are and who we are becoming. This shows that if we all work together, there will be peace and unity. You are such an amazing author/writer. You have a wisdom that is so outstanding and powerful.
I really loved the simplicity and message of your words.
You will forever be one of my all time role models.

Your friend,

C. Lee Battaglia

[Coyote Poetry]

You are very kind. We must learn. One earth and one people. Every life had value. Till this day. This planet will pay for the hate and greed of man. Thank you for reading and the comment. I do appreciate my friend.

[C. Lee Battaglia]

You're very welcome!

[Fatima]

It's such a beautiful poem , so inspirational and love the acknowledgement of Asia.

[Coyote Poetry]

Asia is the key. Ancient wisdom is needed to show the world to peace. Thank you Fatima for reading and the comment.

[peter Duggan]

Hi Coyote, I adored your words and the beautiful mysticism that glows so well with your words. I have read and learned from so many wonderful mystics. This is how I learned to move with the circles, and to search deep within to find out who I am. You are a wonderful man, my friend who I could easily walk hand in hand with. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful words with us, All the best, my friend....Peter

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Peter. I wish we could learn. Our world. We must share the planet.