The Medicine Wheel All Medicine Wheels are tools for teaching people about their place in the universe and their relationship to all things created by the Sacred Mystery

Origin? The Iroquois Confederation recognized that Indian peoples were more alike than different. same basic belief systems and followed similar traditions. Placed in front of every tepee, and decorated in special symbols, colors, and stones, to let people entering the tribe know about its inhabitants.

Origin? A reflection of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses It told people what they needed to learn and what they needed to teach. Everyone was ordered to work on themselves, or else leave the tribe.

The Medicine Wheel Numbers have always played a significant part in traditional Aboriginal life. Four is one of the most sacred numbers used in Aboriginal culture. For example The Seasons, The Races, The Elements of the Universe, The Stages of Life, The Emotions and Aspects of Human Behavior.

Four Directions East South West North

Four Colors Red Black Yellow White

Four Stages of Life Birth Youth Adulthood Senior years

Four Elements Earth Air Fire Water

Four Seasons Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Four Aspects of our nature Spiritual Emotional Physical Mental

Four Animals and Four Symbols These are of personal preference

The Medicine Wheel Symbolized by a cross within a circle A ceremonial tool and the basis for all teaching wheels.

The Power of the Four Directions is implied whenever a wheel or circle is drawn. Life as a continuous cycle the cycling of the seasons the daily rising of the sun the phases of the moon All things are interrelated. The Medicine Wheel incorporates the Powers of the Four Directions and the interrelatedness of all things.

The Medicine Wheel Used as a reminder of life’s journey Used to remind us to live a harmonious and balanced life - balance is achieved when you are in the center of the wheel. We learn as we go along and the goal is to be in the center of the medicine wheel You have natural abilities/talents – meaning the direction in which you were born

Which are you? East South West North Vision, intuition,energy, inspiration, personable, leadership, spontaneity, performers, and faith South Industry, morality, generosity, loyalty, appreciation of arts, independence, loner West Respect, Spirituality, sacrifice, supportiveness, deep inner thoughts, dependence,, dependability North Wisdom, business sense, thoughtfulness, toughness, analytical thinking, powerful, control, fast paced

A breakdown East - Air, Animals, White, Receives Energy, Mental Aspect, Wisdom and Logic West - Water, Plants, Red, Gives Energy, Emotional Aspect, Trust and Innocence North - Earth, Black, Holds Energy, Physical Aspect, Introspection, and Insight South - Fire, Sun, Yellow, Determines Energy, Spiritual Aspect, Illumination and Enlightening

The Medicine Wheel You may decide that you have qualities from all four directions try to think of one that is the best fit. You started from somewhere and then learned as you went along

Make your Own Make your own medicine wheel, take adjectives from the list in the directions section, in the sun and wind section then do the following:

Make your Own Make 4 circles yellow, red, black and white. Connect with pin, Then divide into 4 sections. The smallest circle in the middle will be divided into north, east, west, south then put in terms or words that describe who you are as person from the list The next one will be summer, winter, spring fall and sports or things you participate in during those seasons The 3rd section will be divided into environmental beliefs, emotional/relationship,,physical/active and spiritual beliefs

Make your Own The largest section will be divided into birth to old age mention major events in your life that happened using Mardena’s ideas birth-7 years old Then next age=7-14 As a teenager, now14-21 Finally what you think you’ll do for the rest of your life, get married, have kids, job type up to old age .ages 21-death