The Medicine Wheel (sacred hoop) emphasizes a holistic approach to maintain a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle. The medicine wheel teachings are among the oldest teachings of the First Nations people. It is uncertain as to when the medicine wheel began to appear in Native American Culture except to say that some of the wheels date back two to four thousand years BC. Elders and ancestors teach us that the Medicine Wheel is an important guide and powerful healing tool that represents the life journey of people. Traditionally the medicine wheel was explained orally with the circle being drawn in the earth and a gradual overlaying of symbols, as meanings were explained by an elder. The elder would usually begin with an explanation of the Four Directions and the center of the wheel which represents the Sacred Mystery. The teachings found on the Medicine Wheel create a bio-psychosocial and spiritual foundation for human behavior and interaction. It was also used to explain and teach about some of the following concepts: the seasons (fall, winter, spring and summer), the four stages of life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and elders), the human races (red, white, black and yellow), and the four elements (water, air, fire, and earth). The Medicine Wheel combined these teachings with sacred ceremonies such as purification; honoring the Creator; telling stories; and asking for guidance and direction in all that we do. Native American Traditional Teachings of the Medicine Wheel vary amongst tribal groups and they often differ as to the placement of some of the teachings. For example, there are some Lakota teachers who place the yellow race in the west and the black race in the east; the Cree’s Wheel has the emotional aspect in the west and the physical aspect in the south, and there are many variations as to which spirit animal are associated with which direction. However, it is safe to say that there is probably more than one right way to build a wheel and that all medicine wheels are effective tools for learning and teaching people about their place in the universe and their relationship to themselves, and all things created by the Sacred Mystery. I can only speak about the Medicine Wheel according to the teachings I’ve been given from an Oglala Lakota teacher and that I have come to know through my spiritual walk. I use the Medicine Wheel in my therapeutic services and share the teachings with clients as needed. Aho More References for Medicine Wheel: Medicine Wheel - http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/medwheel.php The Medicine Wheel - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIGrFHy463g Medicine Ways - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-ways/medicine-wheel.html

Balanced Wheel counseling

The Medicine Wheel (sacred hoop) emphasizes a holistic approach to maintain a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle. The medicine wheel teachings are among the oldest teachings of the First Nations people. It is uncertain as to when the medicine wheel began to appear in Native American Culture except to say that some of the wheels date back two to four thousand years BC. Elders and ancestors teach us that the Medicine Wheel is an important guide and powerful healing tool that represents the life journey of people.

Traditionally the medicine wheel was explained orally with the circle being drawn in the earth and a gradual overlaying of symbols, as meanings were explained by an elder. The elder would usually begin with an explanation of the Four Directions and the center of the wheel which represents the Sacred Mystery. The teachings found on the Medicine Wheel create a bio-psychosocial and spiritual foundation for human behavior and interaction. It was also used to explain and teach about some of the following concepts: the seasons (fall, winter, spring and summer), the four stages of life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and elders), the human races (red, white, black and yellow), and the four elements (water, air, fire, and earth). The Medicine Wheel combined these teachings with sacred ceremonies such as purification; honoring the Creator; telling stories; and asking for guidance and direction in all that we do.

Native American Traditional Teachings of the Medicine Wheel vary amongst tribal groups and they often differ as to the placement of some of the teachings. For example, there are some Lakota teachers who place the yellow race in the west and the black race in the east; the Cree’s Wheel has the emotional aspect in the west and the physical aspect in the south, and there are many variations as to which spirit animal are associated with which direction. However, it is safe to say that there is probably more than one right way to build a wheel and that all medicine wheels are effective tools for learning and teaching people about their place in the universe and their relationship to themselves, and all things created by the Sacred Mystery.

I can only speak about the Medicine Wheel according to the teachings I’ve been given from an Oglala Lakota teacher and that I have come to know through my spiritual walk. I use the Medicine Wheel in my therapeutic services and share the teachings with clients as needed.

Aho

More References for Medicine Wheel:

Medicine Wheel - http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/medwheel.php

The Medicine Wheel - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIGrFHy463g

Medicine Ways - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-ways/medicine-wheel.html

Medicine Wheel