The Medicine Wheel

Medicine Wheels made of stones arranged on the Earth have been found in various places throughout North America, marking places of special significance, such as places of energy, ceremony, meeting, meditation, teaching, and celebration. Some estimate that there were about 20,000 Medicine Wheels in North America before European contact occurred. Some Medicine Wheels on the prairies have been found to be 5,000 years old or more. The Medicine Wheel is, in essence, a circle divided into four parts, representing the Four Directions, which relate to and counterbalance one another to form a whole. This symbol is used to represent the Aboriginal philosophy and the meaning of life. Medicine Wheels are not necessarily a tradition belonging to all North American Aboriginal peoples, however, many Aboriginal groups have some variation of the Wheel. Nevertheless the traditional knowledge and views of the various first peoples of North America typically share a circular model of thinking. As a whole, the Medicine Wheel represents the relationships between various elements of the world, both seen and unseen and emphasizes how all parts of the world and all levels of being are interrelated and connected through a life force originating in the creation of the universe. According to the Ojibwe, there are seven teachings within each quadrant of the wheel and each has sub-teachings as well. All parts of the wheel are important and depend on each other in the cycle of life; what affects one affects all. For this reason, the Medicine Wheel teaches that harmony, balance and respect for all parts are needed to sustain life. Tradition Tradition is knowledge or ways of doing things that are taught by older people - or Elders - who have worked and studied many years with Elders that came before them to understand the traditions. The Four Directions Each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel represents one of four cardinal directions. The Ojibwe believe that the East represents the springtime and the beginning of all life, changing from spirit to human; the journey starts there. The journey continues to the South, the summer stage, to the West, the death stage, and then to the North, the rebirth stage. This cycle continues in a clockwise motion around the Medicine Wheel following the rising and setting of the sun with the Four Directions serving as primary directional or guiding forces. The Centre of the Medicine Wheel From the perspective of traditional Aboriginal philosophy, the centre of the Medicine wheel symbolizes the self in balance on its life journey. The central place of the Medicine Wheel is where one seeks to develop a holistic vision and understanding of creation and connection to all things. The Ojibwe believe that the Centre of the Wheel is represented by a flame and it is our responsibility to nurture this fire by reconciling conflicts with others and making peace within ourselves. Through reflection, meditation, awareness, acceptance and surrender, we are able to live balanced and whole lives.