The Shaman Medicine Wheel- The Medicine Wheel is a way of gaining access to the very essence of existence. “Four Quarters of the World” ie. the circle and the cross of the medicine wheel is the basic symbol which is also seen in other natural traditions of the world. Such a wheel is supposed to enhance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual understanding of nature and the spirit world. Each of the sections of this wheel is associated with particular elements and aspects of life thus corelating the corporal with the spirit world.
East, West, North and South of the Wheel- The east is regarded as the place of birth and the west is regarded as the place of death. The east is also regarded as the place of the male and the west as the place of the female. In addition, yellow color is associated with the east side and black color is associated with the west. In addition, Fire is the element of the east and this east section is associated with the plant people and spirit. Similarly, Earth is the element of the west and this west section is associated with the animal people and actions. Similarly, white color is associated with the north and air as well as animal people can be placed here in the north. Plants can be placed in this south portion of the Wheel, and since plants are placed in this part, water is also placed here. Green or Red color is associated with the south of the Wheel. A person’s physical body is supposed to belong to the west portion and his spirit in the east portion. Similarly, thoughts belong to the north portion and feelings belong to the south portion of the Wheel.
The Medicine Wheel is not just a sacred symbol but is a sacred place… It can be used in lieu of an altar or can be placed on an altar.
Shamans believe that we all live in a middle world between the upper and lower worlds and are in the center of this Medicine Wheel, surrounded by the four different directions and with the sky always above us and the ground or earth always beneath us.
East, West, North and South of the Wheel- The east is regarded as the place of birth and the west is regarded as the place of death. The east is also regarded as the place of the male and the west as the place of the female. In addition, yellow color is associated with the east side and black color is associated with the west. In addition, Fire is the element of the east and this east section is associated with the plant people and spirit. Similarly, Earth is the element of the west and this west section is associated with the animal people and actions. Similarly, white color is associated with the north and air as well as animal people can be placed here in the north. Plants can be placed in this south portion of the Wheel, and since plants are placed in this part, water is also placed here. Green or Red color is associated with the south of the Wheel. A person’s physical body is supposed to belong to the west portion and his spirit in the east portion. Similarly, thoughts belong to the north portion and feelings belong to the south portion of the Wheel.
The Medicine Wheel is not just a sacred symbol but is a sacred place… It can be used in lieu of an altar or can be placed on an altar.
Shamans believe that we all live in a middle world between the upper and lower worlds and are in the center of this Medicine Wheel, surrounded by the four different directions and with the sky always above us and the ground or earth always beneath us.
