Medicine Whell

Historically, most medicine wheels follow the basic pattern of having a center of stone, and surrounding that is an outer ring of stones with "spokes" (lines of rocks) radiating from the center to the cardinal directions (east, south, west, and north). These stone structures may be called "medicine wheels" by the nation which built them, or more specific terms in that nation's language.

Ojibwe Indian stone medicine wheel

Key to stone medicine wheel:

1. Creator - Center of life, the Medicine Wheel itself.
2. Earth Mother - Gives us our home, and lives.
3. Father Sun - Warms life, source of energy and light.
4. Grandmother Moon - Guides dreams and visions.
5. Turtle Clan - The element of earth. Growth and life.
6. Frog Clan - The element of water. Cleansing.
7. Thunderbird Clan - The element of fire. Energy.
8. Butterfly Clan - The element of air. Transformation.
9. The North - Knowledge and wisdom.
10. The East - Daybreak, Illumination. Spirit.
11. The South - Youth and innocence. Emotion.
12. The West - Introspection, Looks within.
13. Snow Goose – Direction.
14. Otter - Balanced female energy.
15. Cougar - Leadership without insisting.
16. Red Hawk - Observant. Messengers of the Gods.
17. Beaver - Builder and do-er.
18. Deer - Power and gentleness.
19. Flicker – Music.
20. Sturgeon - Moving through life, swimming.
21. Brown Bear - Sweetness of truth.
22. Raven - Keeper of Sacred law.
23. Snake - Power of creation. Transmutation.
24. Elk - Stamina. To go the distance.
25. Cleansing - To make clean. Purify
26. Renewal - To begin again.
27. Purity - Clean and innocent.
28. Clarity - Unclouded. Free from darkness.
29. Love - To delight in a higher state of appreciation.
30. Wisdom - Knowledge and sense. Intelligence and foresight.
31. Illumination - To enlighten. Cast light upon.
32. Growth - To become. To change from one state to another. To advance.
33. Trust - To place confidence in the reliance on the integrity and friendship of another.
34. Experience - Knowledge and understanding
35. Introspection - To look inside.
36. Strength - Power and vigor of mind.

Physical medicine wheels made of stone were constructed by several different indigenous peoples in North America, especially the Plains Indians. They are associated with religious ceremonies. As a metaphor, they may be used in healing work or to illustrate other cultural concepts.

The medicine wheel has been adopted as a symbol by a number of pan-Indian groups, or other native groups whose ancestors did not traditionally use it as a symbol or structure. It has also been appropriated by non-indigenous people, usually those associated with New Age community 

A Medicine Wheel is simply a way of making sacred space more real and more visible. A Medicine Wheel is made of stones. Each stone tells part of the story. The Stones are the Ancestors of the Earth. There were about 20,000 medicine wheels in North America, before the Europeans came. Medicine wheels are places for energy and healing, teaching and understanding. They are used for times of reflecting on life, and for joyous celebrations.  Medicine Wheels were always a place of sacred ceremony and ritual.

The Medicine Wheel creates an axis and an atlas to sacred space.  It is a mapping of the sacred landscape we live in.  The Medicine Wheel is spinning.  It is rotating like the Earth.   The things in your life are spinning and you are the centre.

Some thoughts are common, such as the principle that Life is a Circle and that the Four Directions stand for North, South, East and West. A Circle is also used in other practices, considered pagan, with the same four directions and various colours.

A Medicine Wheel is a physical manifestation of Spiritual energy, an outward expression of an internal dialogue. It is a mirror in which we can better SEE what is going on within us. It is a wheel of protection that enables us, and allows us to gather surrounding energies into a focal point.

It helps to see exactly where we are and in which areas we need to develop in order to realize and become our full potential. It is a place of knowing that we are all connected to one another. And by showing us the intricacies of the interwoven threads of life, we can better see what is our part in it all. It helps us understand that without our part in this tapestry, the “Bigger Picture” is not as it should be. We add colour, dimension and life to each other, to all of life

It is a model to be used to view self, society, nation or anything that one could ever think of looking into. The Wheel, once we learn how to dance within it, offers a picture of Life and helps to add clarity to a foggy view. Like so many other things…it is a tool to be used for the upliftment and betterment of mankind, healing and connecting us.