The Medicine Wheel All Medicine Wheels are tools

The Medicine Wheel All Medicine Wheels are tools for teaching people about their place in the universe and their relationship to all things created by the Sacred Mystery

Origin? ¬The Iroquois Confederation recognized that Indian peoples were more alike than different. – same basic belief systems and followed similar traditions. ¬Placed in front of every tepee, and decorated in special symbols, colors, and stones, to let people entering the tribe know about its inhabitants.

Origin? ¬A reflection of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses ¬Part of most First Nation’s culture is the idea that you can work on the weaknesses and share strengths

The Medicine Wheel ¬ Numbers have always played a significant part in traditional Aboriginal life. Four is one of the most sacred numbers used in Aboriginal culture. ¬ For example – The Seasons, The Elements of the Universe, The Stages of Life, The Emotions and Aspects of Human Behavior.

Four Directions ¬East ¬South ¬West ¬North

Four Colors ¬Red ¬Black ¬Yellow ¬White

Four Stages of Life ¬Birth ¬Youth ¬Adulthood ¬Senior years

Four Elements ¬Earth ¬Air ¬Fire ¬Water

Four Seasons ¬Spring ¬Summer ¬Autumn ¬Winter

Four Aspects of our nature ¬Spiritual ¬Emotional ¬Physical ¬Mental

Four Animals and Four Symbols ¬These are of personal preference

The Medicine Wheel ¬ Symbolized by a cross within a circle ¬ A ceremonial tool and the basis for all teaching wheels.

¬ The Power of the Four Directions is implied whenever a wheel or circle is drawn. – Life as a continuous cycle • the cycling of the seasons • the daily rising of the sun • the phases of the moon – All things are interrelated. • The Medicine Wheel incorporates the Powers of the Four Directions and the interrelatedness of all things.

The Medicine Wheel ¬ Used as a reminder of life’s journey ¬ Used to remind us to live a harmonious and balanced life - balance is achieved when you are in the center of the wheel. ¬ We learn as we go along and the goal is to be in the center of the medicine wheel ¬ You have natural abilities/talents – meaning the direction in which you were born

Which are you? ¬ East • Vision, intuition, energy, inspiration, personable, leadership, spontaneity, performers, and faith ¬ South • Industry, morality, generosity, loyalty, appreciation of arts, independence, loner ¬ West • Respect, Spirituality, sacrifice, supportiveness, deep inner thoughts, dependence, , dependability ¬ North • Wisdom, business sense, thoughtfulness, toughness, analytical thinking, powerful, control, fast paced

A breakdown ¬ East - Air, Animals, White, Receives Energy, Mental Aspect, Wisdom and Logic West - Water, Plants, Red, Gives Energy, Emotional Aspect, Trust and Innocence North - Earth, Black, Holds Energy, Physical Aspect, Introspection, and Insight South - Fire, Sun, Yellow, Determines Energy, Spiritual Aspect, Illumination and Enlightening

The Medicine Wheel ¬You may decide that you have qualities from all four directions try to think of one that is the best fit. ¬You started from somewhere and then learned as you went along