The Medicine Wheel

In the Native (First Nations) cultures the Medicine Wheel is used to heal individuals and communities. It uses the compass points of the four directions to help find harmony and peace from within. In the Cree tradition the East direction (represented by the color red), where life begins, is where the Creator bestows the gifts of food, feelings and vision on the people. Food is medicine. There is a strong relationship between good food and good feelings. When we feel good about ourselves, we enjoy vision, purpose and direction. The shadow side of these good aspects are the problems of inferiority and anger. The goal is to heal these problems and bring a message of peace and harmony into our lives. The turtle is the animal of the East in the Cree teachings.

The color yellow, from the south, symbolizes relationships and patience. It takes time to understand our identity, to learn and know ourselves through relationships with ourselves, others, and the world around us. The opposite of good relationship is envy - wanting what someone else has but not being willling to work for it. Envy can be transformed in sacred healing circles where people can learn to build on strength and overcome barriers and problems. The golden eagle (Ginoo), a very sacred bird, is represented in the South direction. Because the eagle flies so high in the sky it is thought to carry messages for the Great Mystery, and its feathers are held in great respect.

In the West the color black is a symbol of respect, reason, water, and Autumn. The quality of our inner lives is enhanced when we understand the concept of respect which leads us to humility. The opposite of respect is resentment (re-seeing/dwellin on the past). In the Western door, the person reflects on intimate relationships and her or his own behavior. Showing respect for others and for one's self is central to finding balance. The Thunderbird is the symbol of the West.

From the North, white is the symbol of Winter, caring, movement, and air. Not caring, or isolating, usually indicates problems exist and need to be dealt with. Care is as necessary as the air we breathe. Everyone makes a difference either in a caring way or an uncaring way. Some methods of natural healing (caring) are yelling, laughin, sweating, crying, yawning, and shaking. These can help a person move through fear. When caring is not considered during movement things are displaced, out of balance. The Bear (Mckwa) is the symbol of the North.

The Center is symbolized by green, a healing color, the symbol of Mother Earth, the center of all things. The Earth nurtures the four races of humankind and all living things. Green is the symbol of balance and listening. We should listen and pay attention to the dark side of life so we can learn and heal. The dark side can be denied by the five little rascals of inferiority, envy, resentment, not caring, and jealousy. Listening helps us make appropriate changes from negative to positive.

The Four Sacred Directions help people to balance themselves and to know their place in the world - they help people reain inner balance and well-being.

(Condensed from The Hollow Tree by Herb Nabigon, 2006)