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The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel is a blueprint of the universe, and its wisdom shines through in many similar systems around the world (e.g. the Wheel of Life in Asia, the Kabbala, etc).

It contains an outer circle with the four core directions and the positions in between, which all have specific qualities and teachings. For example, the East brings the gifts of the morning sun, of spring: new beginnings, new birth, the carefree state of childhood, the spirit of fire, passion of new ideas. 

In the middle is a smaller circle which guards the innermost place: The Great Void, where all things come from, the ultimate creative power, the intense pulsation of the heart space, the big forgiving, love in its purest sense. Some may call this the place of the Divine: Great Spirit, the Great Grandfather, God...

From the outer circles, there are pathways into the centre. So, one of teachings of the Medicine Wheel is how to connect to the Divine - in yourself, in other people, in 'all your relations' (which is expressed by "Mitakuye Oyasin" in the Lakota Language).
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The Gifts of the Wheel

The Medicine Wheel's core beauty and teaching lie not in the different positions but in the power and potential of its dynamics: The turning of the wheel, the flow (or march) from one position to the other, the pathways to the centre.
Walking the path of the Wheel means finding the patience to stay in a position if it serves you and then summoning the courage to move on. It means surrendering to the development spiral in your life. When working with the Wheel, you will experience being a part of the complete whole; important and humble at the same time.

One of the core messages of the Medicine Wheel is: Everything is connected, and when we sit or stand in the circle, there is no hierarchy. Everybody's voice is heard. Everybody's gifts are accepted and appreciated. Everybody is responsible for the connection and the sustainability of the whole. This is the true power of the circle.

At the same time, everything is always on the move. The daylight changes, the seasons change, sister moon is waxing and waning. Nature changes - often unseen. Hence, we are empowered to change as well, at our own speed. We have the right and the ability to transform, we are not trapped in the past. There is no fear. We are safe on the path of the Medicine Wheel.

How we can work with the Medicine Wheel.

The teachings of the Medicine Wheel are one of the underlying themes in most of my work.

The Wheel applies across all levels of existence - from the individual atom, to the cell, to the (human) being, and his/her relationship to the collective level.
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You can look at an important aspect of your life (a problem, goal, relationship, etc.) through the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. For example - when you look at a problem from the West direction, and then the East direction, your relationship to this issue may change.
A good starting point is exploring the different positions on the wheel: ask the position/direction what it has to offer - how are your gifts and shadows reflected in this area. What help can you get there?
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Once you are familiar with the core directions of the wheel, you can start moving - the first careful steps are usually around the wheel. Feeding the energy of the different positions into your life.
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You will be following the pathways to the centre - approaching the Source of all, the Divine.
How does this change your perspective, your inner power, your connection to all that is?

Ancient stones.
Listen.
They whisper
secrets
from all directions.
They are standing
strong in the circle.

All photos are from my journeys in the UK and abroad (besides the totem pole and medicine basket). They are here to celebrate the beauty of creation and remind us of our strength. To all our relations.
The art work is provided by some of my talented friends (see captions on pictures).
Copyright © 2018 - Fireside Lodge London
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Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Reiki
  • Shamanic Healing
  • Shamanic Coaching
  • End-of-Life
  • Nature Wisdom
  • Tai Chi
  • Training & Events
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Links and Books
    • What is Shamanism?
    • What is Journeying?
    • The Medicine Wheel
  • Contact