The number 4 is sacred- 4 cardinal directions (East, South, West and North), 4 seasons, 4 colours, 4 stages of ife... and that is the foundation of the Medicine Wheel. The colours are pretty much universal on all Wheels, but one difference is their order, and the position of the quadrants. Even within a tradition there are differences in some details of the wheel.
The wheel I present here is the one I learned as a child... pretty much every Native American group uses the medicine wheel... but they are different. That's ok. You can develop your own verson, building on the fundamentals you are given. Just because Wolf is summer, for example, doesn't mean you can't use another Guardian if that makes sense for you. Let the Great Spirit guide you.
We start in the East, with the rising sun- we are the People of the Dawn, we live on the East Coast and the sun rises to greet us first.
Colour: Yellow
Element: Air
Season: Spring
Animal: Eagle
The East Quadrant symbolises new beginnings, illumination, and growth.
It is associated with the spring season - nature awakens and new life begins.
It is also associated with birth, infance, and childhood.
The Eagle sours high, and with its clear vision represents clarity, insight, and spiritual connection.
This quadrant encourages openness to new opportunities and the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. It reminds us to start at the beginning- and to respect new ideas, new things, and new people.
Colour: Red
Element: Fire
Season: Summer
Animal: Wolf
The West Quadrant finds itself opposite the East... where it offers us a place of introspection, healing, and transformation.
It is Autumn, a time of harvest and reflection, and it is our adulthood.
The Bear watches over this quadrant, it knows that to be strong it must hibernate and rejuvenate and not just work. Bear is so strong because he sits back and gives himself time. He is responsible, but knows that if he fails to take care of himself he can't do anything.
This quadrant is a reminder to look within, heal old wounds, and prepare for new phases in life, but also that just as we must take our responsibilities to others seriously, we must also care for ourselves. We cannot give to others what we fail to provide to ourselves.
The South Quadrant embodies warmth, passion, and vitality. It is abundant with energy, passion, and desire- no surprise that it is also young adulthood!
The Wolf guards this quadrant- he is a symbol of loyalty and strength, and teaches us the importance of team work, perseverance, but also respect for those in our famly and social groups. Wolf reminds us that all have value.
This quadrant emphasises the importance of nurturing relationships, embracing life’s adventures, and harnessing inner strength.
In some tratitions, the mouse is associated to the South- symbolising industry but also naivete.
Colour: Black
Element: Water
Season: Autumn
Animal: Bear
Colour: white
Element: Earth
Season: winter
Animal: The Stag
Ok, a little explanaton is needed here. When researching all this, because at 60+ my memory has idiosyncrasies and can scramble things or hide things, I found all the source information saying that North on the Abenaki medicine wheel was the Buffalo, or that West was the Buffalo, and North was the Bear.
Well, I was taught that North was the Stag, so I will go with what I have been taught, as there must be some reason that the wise elders who taught me chose thus.
The Stag symbolises wisdom, the connection to Spirit, renewal, harmony and balance. It is often seen as a messenger who reminds us that we are not independent of the Spirit of Nature. It is a wise animal, who appreciates and accepts its place with grace and dignity.
The North Quadrent represents winter, in the year as well as in life. It is the final stage of adulthood- when we too, like the Stag, look forward to our renewal. Like the Stag, we can be messengers, teachers, and guides who help others to live in harmony.
The Stag gives us much- sustenance, leather for shoes, homes, bags, clothing, horns and antlers for handles and tools... it is a gift to us. We must, in the NOrth Quadrant, appreciate the many gifts we receive... and reflect on the gifts we can give to others... as we live our life in accordance with the Grandfathers, the Great Spirit, and the messengers sent to help. North is not the end... it is another kind of beginning, the entry to a higher level in life and after life.
Long ago, near the beginning of man's time, the Great Spirit sent his agent to see if man was living as he should be.
At the first home, his agent asked for a drink. "I have travelled far, and have no water, would you share with me?" The man replied "get out- who cares if you thirst?" and pushed him away.
At the next home, he listened and heard the man yelling at his wife and children, belittling them and striking them... when they cried, he spoke terribly to them.
As he walked to the next home, he saw two men stealing belongings from another man who was off hunting.
Everywhere he went, people were selfish, proud, arrogant and unkind. Filled with hatred, they lived without respecting others, they lied, cheated, treated others badly...
He sat on a rock by the river. How could he tell Great Spirit such painfully negative things about man? As he wept, a small child approached. "Uncle, it is late in the day, and I see you have no pack- you must be hungry and thirsty. Would you share with me?" and he gave the Agent half his lunch, and three times filled his bowl with water. As the agent ate, the boy said "I see your cloak is torn, I can repair it for you?" and he took it, and sewed the tear with as much skill as a woman.
Although he did not need a rest, he wanted to see where the boy lived so he accepted. The boy took his own bedding for the stranger, and put it nearest the fire. In the morning, the agent prepared to leave- the boy gave him a parcel of food, and a cup... "I cannot give you more, but I hope this will sustain you... " The agent thanked the boy and said "Trust you will see me again" and the boy said "Uncle, I will hunt and find a rabbit and prepare it for you, if you let me know when!" and the agent said "soon, but I will bring the meal, as you already have done so for me."
The boy accepted, and as the agent left, he saw the child being mistreated by the others in his tribe for being so foolish as to look after a stranger.
The agent reported back, but before Great Spirit could react to all the faults and negativity of the people, the agent told him of the generosity and kindness of the boy, who even though he himself was a mere child and had very little was so loving, kind, generous, and selfless."
Great Spirit was relieved, but realised this child would grow up to be no different than any of the others unless he had guidance and mentorship. Seven grandfathers- wise elders who lived in accordance with the Great Spirit's wishes, were called together to teach this special child so he would grow to teach his people the way to a good, happy, and fruitful life.
The Grandfathers were pleased. "Yes, the teachings must be used together. Love requres respect, respect requires bravery, bravery requires honesty, honesty requires humility, humility requires truth, and truth requires love. None of this can stand alone. You must keep them all, as to leave out even one would be like turning over the full bowl of water... you would lose everything."
The boy reflected. He gathered many, many blades of sweetgrass, and wove them together. He held them out and said "Grandfathers, I hold all the teachings you have so magnanimously given me, woven together... always together, no one greater or lesser, all as one. I promise you I will never forget."
One day, the boy- who was now a young man- went to the Grandfathers and said "I want to go back to my people, to bring these gifts to them, that they may live good lives as you have taught me."
He was warned that people might not listen, but he said "In time, they will see the importance and value in your teachings. I will be an example to them, so they may live well."
The Grandfathers were pleased. They reported back that the young man, was wise in his ways, understood the values he had been taught, and was committed to living a good life.
The Grandfathers walked back with him to his tribe. The people were disrespectful, prideful, and rude. suddenly, the agent of Great Spirit was visible... and he chided them, reminding them of how they had behaved when he last visited.
He then explained that this young man would teach them, and if they valued the gifts of the Great Spirit, they should listen. The young man was gentle, and said "You all have so many wonderful things about you, and I want to help you be happy..."
Great Spirit touched their hearts to make them open to him. This is rare, as Great Spirit believes that all should have a choice... but he also felt in some ways it was his fault, as he had left them without teachers to tell them how to live.
Over time, the young man became a respected elder and continued to teach the story of the seven grandfathers. He taught everyone to braid sweetgrass as a reminder of the principles, and how they all must remain together.
"This is Bravery... it reminds me to face life with courage and strength, to not hide from my fears, and to not expect others to carry a burden that is mine.
This is Honesty- it requires that I be truthful and genuine, with myself as with others. I must not lie, or cheat, or offer falsehoods...
This is Humility, and it requires that I value others, and not be so proud that I put myself above others... it reminds me to take time and look inward and honestly assess my weaknesses but also my strengths.
This is Love, and it requires that I show kindness, compassion, concern and regard for myself and for others... it is one of the strongest, but should never be made to stand alone.
This is Respect, and it requires that I act considerately towards others, towards the earth, towards all creation, and towards the Creator whose Great Spirit flows in all. I must remember that life is precious, and should be treated with regard.
This is Truth, and it requires me to be completely honest with myself and others, even when I am afraid.
And.... this is Wisdom, it requires me to seek knowledge, to learn from my elders and from the world around me, to seek inner counsel from Great Spirit, and to use all the blades of grass when making decisions, when learning, and when acting.
If I use all the blades of grass- and here, she wove them together and held them up with the braid he had given her- I will be strong, bring strength to my family and my tribe, and live a good life in appreciation of my life."
He smiled. She said "Grandfather, thank you for reminding me by giving me the braided grass, and for listening to me. You are old, and wise... please, tell me, have I recounted this well? Have I recited it properly? I would be grateful if you would tell me, as you will of course know so much more than me..."
He was overjoyed, seeing that without even realising it she was showing that her life was lived with the principles he had been given so long ago.
He told her "Child, I have no criticism for you, only a compliment that you have done so well. You have made me happy by telling the story so well. But now, I must rest, as I am old, and my time draws near... so go to your people and leave me here... "
She said "Grandfather, I cannot leave you here alone, especially if you are preparing for your final journey..." and she helped him to her home, where she told her parents about him. They recognised him and were very pleased that he had come to their home. They prepared a bed for him near the fire, and gave him food, and drink, and throughout the night they sang songs and told stories so as he fell asleep he would have a heart full of all those things that meant so much to him. During the night, they tell her that he was the one who brought the teachings to her people.
In the morning, his spirit had left his body behind. All were very sad and worried that without him, they might forget about the seven Grandfathers... So the young girl made sweetgrass braids for all, and said "as long as we follow the teaching, he remains with us... and we will keep telling his story, for all time..."
And we still braid sweetgrass, and we still tell the story of the seven Grandfathers, and we still seek to live a good life as we have been taught in the story passed down through the generations so we never forget.
(This is not the only version of this story... most Indigenous people have a version of this story, and even within groups the story varies. This is how I learned the story, so this is the story I've given you.)
- Bravery
- Honesty
- Humility
- Love
- Respect
- Truth
- Wisdom
The agent realised that he needed to return... so he thanked the child, and prepared to leave. "Uncle, it is late, I have a small cave in which I sleep, but there is room and provision for another- Great Spirit has looked after me, and I have enough to share. Would you share my lodgings? You could then leave n your journey in the morning, after a good rest."
The Grandfathers taught him Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom.
One of the Grandfathers gave the child a handful of grass, and told him to collect drinking water. The child tried his best, but the blades of grass were not strong enough. So, Grandfather wove and braided them into a little basket- and the child carried the water with ease.
"What has this taught you, child?" the Grandfather asked.
The child looked at the grass, and reflected. Then he said "That the gifts you have given me are good, but on their own they cannot give as much as if they are braided together. This cup is not blades of grass... it is more. The teachings cannot provide as much unless they are used together, becoming one way just as the grass became one cup..."
He told many stories, and had many children, so his stories lived on... reminding people of the teachings by which they should live their life.
After a long, long life, he was sitting by the fire and he knew his time on Earth was coming to an end. He called over a small child, and handed her a piece of braided sweetgrass. Sweetly, she thanked him and said "Grandfather, this is a beautiful gift... may I tell you what it means to me?"
He nodded, and said "yes, please, granddaughter... tell me.... "
She sat close by his side, and said "This is a reminder of the teachings of the 7 Grandfathers, and how we must hold them all together, so they can be strong together."
She picked blades of sweetgrass, and separated them into hanks. As she held out pieces one at a time, she said...
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