"The medicine wheel lays the foundation for sacredness. We have forgotten the true meaning of this in the Western world as our conditioning, whether we like it or not, has moved us toward colonialism, appropriation, exploitation, and competition. Sacredness is that which brings us closer to realizing the truth of who we are at a fundamental level. It fosters connection, respect, and integrity. It reminds us of interconnectedness and nonseparation from nature, from one another, and from the Divine."
-Emma Farrell
The medicine wheel can be found in many native cultures around the world. It is a universal symbol and its meaning has been defined by different cultures throughout the ages based on their location, religious beliefs, and tribal practices.
The most commonly held belief is that the medicine wheel represents the natural cycles of life and the basic way in which the natural world, including humans, move and evolve. The power of birth, death, and rebirth are encompassed in the medicine wheel, as well as each individual's journey of personal growth and realization.
The medicine wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for sacred ceremony, prayer, and healing. Typically, the wheel is built on land taking into consideration the cardinal four directions (East, South, West, North), Mother Earth, Father Sky, and Spirit Tree.
The Circle, which lacks a beginning or end, represents infinity, perfection and the eternal and is articulated in many symbolic ways:
The universal symbol of the wedding band as a sacred link of protection and unity.
Hindus represent the great Wheel of Existence within a circle.
The Yin Yang symbol in eastern philosophies is based on the interconnectedness of the balance of energies represented within a circle.
Tibetan Buddhism represents many of its paths to enlightenment within the symbolic artistry of mandalas represented as artwork and in the form of sand paintings.
Ancient Labyrinths were based on the circle with the center representing the Universe, or the “Creator-God” that the culture revered, with the paths leading towards the center representing a form of pilgrimage to God (Christian Labyrinths).
Movement in the medicine wheel and in the Native American ceremonies is circular and typically in a clockwise or “sunwise” direction and aligning with the forces of Nature.
Center represents the Creator, Source from which all life flows, and the Self. It is associated with the aether element.
East represents the beginning, the ending, renewal and creativity. It is typically associated with the upper world of light, enlightenment, and returning back to our origin. It is associated with the air element.
South is represents growth, fulfilment, and flowering of all living beings. South is most often associated with the emotions. Symbolizing our inner child and rediscovery of childlike wonder. It is the place to meditate on relationships and matters of the heart. It is associated with the fire element.
West symbolizes a place of transitions, maturity and experience. It is associated with the shadow within us that requires introspection and healing. It is associated with the water element.
North is a place of giving back or sharing your wisdom with others. A time of hibernation, suspension and significant inner growth; time to share knowledge, use restraint; the place for mental growth and wisdom, a place of healing. It is associated with the earth element.
The directions can also represent:
Stages of Life – birth, youth, adult, death
Seasons – spring, summer, winter, fall
Aspects of Life – spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical
Animals – eagle, bear, wolf, buffalo or hummingbird, condor, eagle, and serpent
Ceremonial Plants – tobacco, sweet grass, sage, cedar
The Medicine Wheel represents wholeness and serves as a framework to honor the forces of nature. There are many different ways to use a Medicine Wheel, including as a tool for personal exploration, growth and transformation; meditation, reflection, and honoring celestial alignments.
In Andean tradition, the medicine wheel framework is:
South - The physical world (the body) represented by the Serpent and the color red. It is associated with noon, summer, and adolescence.
West - The realm of emotions and thoughts (the mind) represented by the Jaquar and the color black. It is associated with evening, autumn, and adulthood.
North - The realm of the soul represented by the Hummingbird and the color white. It is associated with night, winter, and old age.
East - The realm of Spirit represented by the Eagle and the color yellow. It is associated with morning, spring and childhood.
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