Robert Pruitt
The Medicine Wheel is a symbol of ALL creation and the cycles of life. The circular shape of the wheel represents the earth, the sun, the moon, the cycles of life, the seasons, the four cardinal directions and the four sacred colours, and the four races of man. Movement around the perimeter of the Medicine Wheel is in a clockwise direct in keeping with the rotation path of the earth. At the center of the circle is the Creator, who sits in perfect balance. The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the individual journey we each must take to find our own path.
The Teachings of the Medicine Wheel
The medicine wheel teaches us the four directions and what they represent. The east is the direction of birth and rebirth. It is also the direction from which light comes into the world, and so symbolizes guidance and leadership. The south is the direction at which the sun is at its highest point, and represents youth and innocence. The south also represents summer, which is symbolic of fullness, physical strength and vigor. It is a time when people work to prepare for fall. Symbolically, the south represents a time for preparing for the future. Additionally the south represents generosity and sensitivity to the feelings of others. The west is the direction from which darkness comes, and so is the place of the unknown, of dreams and of introspection. The greatest lesson to be learned form the teaching of the west is too accept ourselves as we really are, as spiritual and physical beings. The north represents winter and is the true place of wisdom.
Another teaching of the medicine wheel is the four symbolic races on earth: white, red, yellow, and black. Each race has its own gifts that they contribute. The north is white, who brings with them mobility. The colour to the east is red, representing the world’s Aboriginal peoples. The contribution of the Aboriginal peoples is the knowledge of vision. At the south is yellow, who contribute the gift of time. The colour of the west is black, who contribute the gift of reason. All races are apart of the same human family, as brothers and sisters living on the same earth. The Medicine Wheel embodies the harmony with which they are to abide by. Harmony is achieved by becoming aware of each other cultures and practices, my not imposing one’s culture and practices on another, and by sharing cultural ways with others. The races are symbolically represented in a circular format which implies that all races are equal in the eyes of the Creator, such that there is not one dominating race.
In addition to the teachings of the four directions and races, the Medicine Wheel also teaches us about the four elements: fire, earth, wind, and water. Each of these elements is distinct and powerful. The medicine wheel also represents the four sacred plants: sweetgrass, tobacco, sage, and cedar. These plants are gifts from the creator and help give keep individuals in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance. These are the aspects of human nature which must be developed equally to ensure that an individual is healthy and well balanced
Medicine Wheel: A Framework for Holistic Health and Well-Being
Teachings from the medicine wheel provide a conceptual framework for understanding aboriginal health and for facilitating the changes required to improve and maintain that health. This framework incorporates three interrelated concepts: the life cycle, holistic health and continuum of care
The Life Cycle
The life cycle explains life through the passage of stages, including infancy and childhood, youth, adulthood and senior years. These stages of life are celebrated and correspond to the four directions, four seasons, and the four elements of the environment. The life cycle incorporates all members of the community, all at different stages of their lives. Each individual has a gift to bring and a role to play in the community. In a healthy and sustainable community, each member is able to share his or her gifts and assumed responsibilities.
Infants and children bring joy, love, curiosity and sharing to their families. This is a time for bonding, learning and nurturing during the child’s formative years. The eastern direction represents peace and light and celebrating infants and children, in the same way as a new day or a new season is welcomed. Youth and young adults bring enthusiasm for live in the preparation for maturity. This is a time of choice among many paths in search for meaning and understanding. The southern direction represents this growth. Adults bring love, hope, care, and teaching. They have the responsibility to provide for children, themselves and their extended families to live a good life. As role models they make clear the vision for future generations. The western direction represents introspection or looking into one’s spirit. Elder’s bring wisdom, love and spiritual understanding in their roles as healers, counselors, guides and keepers of the aboriginal teachings and ceremonies. The northern direction represents spiritual strength, purity and wisdom.
Holistic Health
Holistic health incorporates the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual, family and community
Continuum of Care
The continuum of care, or healing continuum, incorporates health promotion, prevention, treatment/curative programs and services, and rehabilitation. Promotion encourages individuals, families and communities to enjoy a healthy balanced life. It includes sharing information, increasing awareness of health and determinants of health, and building social networks to support self determination and self-reliance. Prevention Activities address one or a group of health conditions experienced by individuals, families and communities. These activities include health education, screening and immunization, risk education (such as weight management programs), counseling and crisis management. Treatment and curative services are active interventions to address specific health conditions. Included are diagnosing, treating and curing a person experiencing ill health. Rehabilitation activities assist individuals, families and communities to become fully functional and maintain a high level of wellness. They include after-care, supportive care and on-going monitoring after the initial condition has been identified and treated These three complimentary concepts – life cycle, holistic health and continuum of care– are interrelated. Health is addressed throughout the life cycle of an individual, in a holistic way, within a continuum of care
References Ontario Ministry of health. Aboriginal Health policy for Ontario. 1994Ernestine Buswa and Jean Shawana. Teaching of the Medicine Wheel (A teaching tool for educators