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The call of Wolf sings the magic
of the natural world Thunderbird is a Medicine Wheel Teacher having received her knowledge and teachings from her own intense research and from a variety of Elders who willingly taught her what they knew; Medicine Wheel teachings are vast and limitless and form the basis of most First Nations belief themes, for example, the great circle of life; the natural world was created in groups of four; all things in the natural world are connected; harmony and balance reigns supreme. Native people on the west coast, including the Tsimshian People did not create Medicine Wheels. Anthropological discoveries have shown that the wheels are mainly clustered in southern Alberta and various spots in North and South Dakota, Montana, meaning tribes such as the Lakhota and Blackfoot probably were the main builders. An Elder once told Thunderbird that there was no wrong way to build a Medicine Wheel; that the grains of sand on a beach would never equal the number of teachings contained within the mysteries of the Medicine Wheel. After years of studying and researching these teachings, Thunderbird has come to discover that he was right! Note: What direction does each of the four colours of human belong? There have been many books written about the Medicine Wheel, 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; Anishinaabe version places the Red Race in the South and the Black Race in the West; others suggest the wheel is walked in a counter-clockwise direction. As so little is really known, there is really no wrong way to build a wheel, a circular walk after all has no beginning and no end. It is more of a question of what resonates with each individual as she studies the teachings. Thunderbird can only speak from her own knowledge of the teachings based on sheer geographic logic alone, White in the North and Yellow in the east are 'givens'. Black Race in the West and the Red Race in the South. Thunderbird elects this placement because she accepts the logical explanation that the races originated in these directions. All My Relations.
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THE CIRCLE
EAST
-
Ay-ee, this is where all
physical life begins, where Grandfather Sun begins his leisurely walk across
the breast of Mother Earth's mate, Father Sky admidst the Clouds borne by Air; Eagle flies in the East to assist Great
Mystery in bringing messages to me.
Men
sit
in the East, for this is the place of the
Physical,
where stamina, logic, strength, physical protection thrive, where warriors for
peaceful purposes emerge in the fullness of time and energy. It is the
place where thoughtful decisions and selfless acts are made for the greater
good. It is a time of action and accomplishment. I awaken to
Spring
which starts a new cycle of life and a new beginning for me.
This is the place of the
Warrior and the
Male
Element of
Air
which I breathe in with humbleness and thanks. I light the
Sweetgrass
and breathe in its gentle scent and feel a sense of well-being that the
decisions I have made this day were the right ones for me and those I love and
respect."
SOUTH
-
"Ay-yee this
is where all life is reborn and infused with new and positive energy for
health, wellness and 'good ways'. Great Mystery planted a sacred tree - which represented
the 'Givers': animals, plants and trees and their sharing/caring ways. They gave themselves to
me as food, medicine, shelter and clothing. I let my spirit
soar on the breath of warm winds and azure waters.
Children/Youth
sit in the South for they represent that wonder of learning new things
as they look toward their endless horizons. I glory in the
Summer
for it takes me to the magic of the middle of the circle and growing
things. This is the place of the
Healer
and the
Female
energy of
Earth,
where I can I light the
Cedar,
and drink Cedar Tea or have a Cedar Bath and float in the strong
Spiritual
realm of
my being giving thanks for the confidence I feel within my inner self."
WEST
-
"Ay-yee I speek for the Fire and the Sacred rocks
(Grandfathers). I will stand here for humankind. I carry
the
history, music and words of the everlasting great circle of life; In my sweatlodge I will pour life-giving, life-sustaining water onto the grandfathers and
spiritual, emotional, mental and physical life will regenerate through
prayers and the mists of endless time.
Women
sit in the West and represent
Emotions,
creativity and the joy of spontaneity and artistic expression. I will hear
the teachings from the Ancestors. I will acknowledge the power of my visions/dreams, prayer and humility.
I revel in
Fall
months for the falling leaves take me to a place of quiet reflection. This is the place of
the
Visionary
and the
Male
element of
Fire
around which I dance and sing, honoring the teachings the of the ages. I light the
Sage and
breathe in the scent for a balanced Emotional realm of my being."
NORTH
- "Ay-yee,
through the Wisdom of the Water and the Soul, Humans will remember Great Mystery. This is
where where wisdom and strength of the mind lives.
Elders (Wise Ones)
sit in the
North for they represent the full circle of life and all the wisdom and
experiences they acquired during their long journey. I listen to them, for their
knowledge lives and sings with the Ancestors, where their stories are spoken
around a sacred fire and come out of their dreamtimes. I listen to the songs of
white bears and know that the wisdom of the ages courses through them. The season of
Winter
finishes the cycle. I think of all that I have learned and
experienced in the previous full moons. This is the place of the
Teacher,
and the
Female
element of
Water.
I scatter
Tobacco
upon the sacred land, breathe in the
Mental realm of
my being and give thanks for my health, the teachings, for family, friends, and
peaceful relations."
