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..........

[McKenzie J Chatterton]

This is absolutely beautiful and captures the true essence of real native tradition and life paths.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Mckenzie for reading and the comment. When we learn. This is one earth and one people. Maybe we will know real peace.

[Great Aunt Astri]

A very good dissertation of the four elements. The old ways have much wisdom. I love the picture of the medicine wheel.

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too. One of my favorites. Thank you dear friend for reading and the comment.

[Adil]

"I believe we are one people. Peace will come when we learn to work together." The quote of the decade I guess. Thanks for sharing..:)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right and we must get along. I pray. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Adil]

Your welcome...:)

[CAPOLAVORO]

Lobe this one. It is my first time to hear about a medicine wheel story and I find it very interesting now. Although I know about the native Americans. You have a good hand in making stories. Keep doing this.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you. Native American myth and tale. Many great story to be told.

[Isabella Ivy]

You ask about mistakes. While reading something interesting, we should never notice mistakes. I wouldn't have, reading this. It's truth. Truth should be told. Thank for doing so :) I.I.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Isabella. I appreciate the comment.

[Isabella Ivy]

You're most welcome! :)

[olla]

I have heard the medicine wheel story many times.. your rendition is beautiful.. I feel your heart in your words.. and truth in the story... thank you for sharing it..

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you olla. I appreciate the comment.

[olla]

you're very welcome..

[Tazeen Ahmed]

Haven't heard of a Medicine Wheel before, it's compelling well portrayed.
Yellows, reds, blacks and whites are described here!
I'm not sure about myself, maybe a brown!
Thank you for sharing such an informative piece!

[Coyote Poetry]

We can be a mix of colors also. My Father is Ojibwa/Mexican and my mother English and more. The Medicine wheel is just a teacher. We must work as one to repair our planet and take care of the people.

[Tazeen Ahmed]

Absolutely. I agree to that!

[Manasa.L]

A very good writing. I don't know how to express my words but you really inspired me.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Manasa. Just my attempt to tell the world. We are one people and one world. We must get along for the sake of the children.

[Sheila Kline]

How did I ever miss this my friend!! We have much to learn from all cultures, and if we are wise enough to embrace their natural abilities and teachings we shall survive the tumultuous times of the present.
An absolutely arrow of wisdom that hopefully pierces the heart of every reader to react in a positive way!!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Sheila. A very old poem. My hope and wish we can know peace one day for the sake of the children.

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

I love your author's note here with your words!
Extremely detailed in the lore of tribal natives and their beliefs and art combined.
The Winds--yes, this is very interesting and meaningful. Man verses nature or working with nature?
The natives respect Nature!

[Coyote Poetry]

I wish we would respect life and nature. Every life had value and we need nature more than she needs us. Thank you Josie for reading and the comment.

[Josie E. Cook M. A.]

You are welcome.
:)