Medicine Wheel

Introduction to the Medicine Wheel

 

The medicine wheel is a summary of all that is, containing everything known and unknown in the universe. A great cosmic template!  Sometimes called the Sacred Hoop, it can be thought of as an evolutionary blueprint.

It is a Circle of Life – a Circle of Lessons on the Path to knowledge, Self – Knowledge.

A “medicine” wheel -  Medicine, meaning sacred gifts.

Wheel – Circle - all things return to where they began.

The significance of the circle has always been expressed in native rituals. The ending is but another beginning, a new chance to start over. One hour, one day, one month, one season or one year; it is a cyclical pattern that allows us to try again, not linear which never goes back just keeps going.

The ability to relate to it comes with practice.  Like any other spiritual work, it is a process. We must learn to slow down, and ALLOW the process to unfold.  It is a mirrored image of every step before us, as each step we take along the way offers a new understanding of our growth patterns. When we share the wisdom of our life’s lessons, many others may benefit as well.

Think of Shamanism as a system of direct knowledge – knowledge is something that works and stands up to the test of time, unlike belief systems which is taken on from others. The Medicine Wheel is a path/the path to awaken this knowledge. These Sacred Teachings assist us on our path to healing, health and wholeness for our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional enlightenment.

Understanding and learning to follow the Medicine Wheel brings meaning and purpose into your life. It helps us to walk the earth in a good way, in balance and peace. It reminds us that we each dance in from our own unique and sacred place and reflects back to us that WE, are also a part of this great Circle of Life!  

 It is a mirror and model to view oneself, others and nature. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is look ourselves in the eye, it requires courage.  It does not matter where you step in, only that you do!

The vertical lines are above and below, earth and sky energies; the horizontal line is our path or journey on this plane. We take this Walk in Time up and down, back and forth and around with YOU in the center!

Every seeker has a chance to eventually discover this harmonious way of being with all of life around them by ascribing to the precepts of the medicine of this wheel.

Understanding the lessons of the sacred hoop helps us to touch/experience life in a deeper, more profound way.

~*~

Join us this Fall as we embark on a "Journey around the Medicine Wheel" - See the last entry in the Offerings link to the left for more information or the Events calendar.

Happy Equinox!

Winter

Officially, winter arrived with the herald of the Winter Solstice on December 21st and is traditionally celebrated in many cultures around the world as a time of LIGHT. As the daylight grows longer outside, it is also prime time to advance our light within. Lessons from the BEAR still hibernating in the cave remind us the importance of sacred space; carving out some quiet time in the stillness of the season allows for an intimate reflection of our infinite soul. As we journey deeper into the caverns of our mind, body and spirit, our sacred truth unfolds and we begin to remember, our soul’s mission and purpose.

Winter sits high and wise in the Northern most position of the Medicine Wheel. As we move from the West towards the North, the cosmic energy is still one of slowing down, recharging. Now is a time of great healing and great dreams. Keeping a dream journal close by this time of year not only provides us with insight, but solution to many of our daily transpirings and/or dilemmas. Spend some time noticing the depth of darkness in the clear winter sky! This is the place of the ancestors, where guidance and wisdom are just a question away. The veils are thinnest here and when we align with these seasonal energies, we not only experience a deeper connection to ourselves but to all of life that surrounds us.

White is a color mostly associated with Winter on the Medicine Wheel. Invite this color to permeate your soul and help dissolve or transform any unwanted energies that may surround you. A fresh blanket of newly fallen snow is a gentle reminder that these white, medicinal blessings of the season have arrived. As a child, perhaps you have tasted the snow, but how many of us have ever listened to the snow?

In the seasons of life, we do well to pay attention to the cycles of nature.

May the crisp energies of winter’s blessing awaken a new light within. Create sacred space and offer gratitude to your ancestors and the ancients who have blazed this trail before us. Thank your angels, guides, power animals, or chosen spiritual truth for illuminating your path and awakening your own good medicine. And may all things shine bright for you this new year as you bask in the spiritual wisdom of your own divine truth and share these harmonies and joys throughout this still season…

Aho~!