Damages Dream Realm

The Sacred Hoop

by Lila

In the beginning of time, Creator sat the children around in a circle on Mother Earth and told each race about its individual responsibilities and its roles in the great sacred hoop of life. The sacred teachings were divided into four equal parts and with one part given to each tribe. The four root races were then sent to the four directions, each given a special knowledge of creation. The Yellow People were entrusted with Spirit and the element of fire. The Black People were given Soul corresponding to the element of water. the White People learned about the Mind and the element of air. And the Red People had Body and the element of earth. The Universal teaching of the Sacred Hoop or Medicine Wheel is this: We were placed on the Earth in Four Original Tribes and all people were Native to the Earth. We were originally given the same teachings, with different perspectives. We all need to share our knowledge with one and other, so that we all might grow greater in Spirit. The Creator does not hold one Nation above another and sent messengers to All Nations. The way of the Red People is called the Sacred Hoop.

The Sacred Hoop is more commonly refered to as a Medicine Wheel. As I was researching this topic, I came to realize, The Medicine Wheel is actually a White Man's term and many First Nations prefer the term Sacred Hoop. I will use both terms in this article, as most of us are familiar with the term Medicine Wheel and many spiritual groups use this terms to describe the sacred circle. I will refer to the Sacred Hoop in the context of First Nations spirituality. My intention is to share knowledge, I do not wish to offend or co-opt anyone's belief system or spiritual practice.

Sacred Hoops were constructed by laying stones in a particular pattern on the ground. Most medicine wheels follow the basic pattern of having a centre cairn of stones, and surrounding that would be an outer ring of stones, then there would be spokes , or lines of rocks, coming out the cairn. From above, the circle appeared in the form of a wagon wheel, hence the name given by the first white settlers, Medicine Wheel . The term was first applied to the Big Horn Medicine Wheel in Wyoming, the most southern of the ancient sites and also one of the largest at 78 feet in diametre. Archaeologists believe these structures to be about 6000 years old. The majority of these sites are in the Plains of North America: Alberta, Montana, Wyoming. More recent sites have emerged throughout the United States, Canada and even England as more people learn to honour Spirit in ancient ways.

The Sacred Hoop honours the Four Directions, East, South, West and North, as well as Above (Father Sky), Below (Mother Earth) and Spirit (Within the Centre) and the Four Sacred Colours. The Circle represents the Circle of Life and the Center of the Circle represents the Eternal Fire. The Center is the power point of the circle and where all comes from. The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the individual journey we each must take to find our own path. A Medicine Wheel is a physical manifestation of Spiritual energy, a mirror in which we can better see what is going on within us. It is a wheel of protection that enables us to commune with Spirit, Self and Nature and all elemental forces. We call this interconnectedness, our realization that all things are one. A hoop, circle, wheel has no beginning and no end. The circle is important in many traditions as being symbolic of the lunar cycles, the seasonal cycles, even our own cycles from birth to death to rebirth. A timelessness is evident when we view the macrocosm and microcosm as one, ever changing, evolving, with the core, Spirit, remaining as an anchor. We are each given a particular point, at birth, on the great wheel which guides our life. But we must strive to gain knowledge and wisdom from all points to become a whole person.

Usually, four spokes create four quadrants on the Wheel. The four quadrants can represent many different ideas or concepts and their relationship to each other, the universe and the individual, such as:

 * the four directions
 * the four seasons
 * the four stages of life: childhood, youth, adulthood and Elderhood
 * the four parts of a person: mental, physical, spiritual and emotional
 * the four distinct colours which also have symbolic meanings.

Although there are slight variations to the colours and animal guardians at each direction of the Sacred Hoop, depending on tribal custom, the basic meanings are very similar.

East- Beginings start in the east, from where the sun rises we begin a new dawn. Each day is a good new day with a fresh beginning, a new start. The light from the East brings wisdom. It is the power of knowledge. Our words are given to the east that the smoke in the air or the voices in the air may be carried to Spirit. It is the place of Spring, the season when all things begin to grow and awaken. It is the place of re-awakening after a long sleep, a victory over Winter and the power of new life.
Symbolic colours are usually Yellow (to shine in all that you do) or Red (power or success).
East is marked by Eagle. A point of illumination where all things are seen far and wide. Other power animals of the East include Hummingbird, Owl and Hawk.
Tobacco is the sacred herb that is associated with the East. It is used to offer prayers at the Sacred Fire where people burn semma and tobacco ties. Semma is also smoked in sacred pipes.

South- This is the place of passion in all things, sex, fertility, mating - the fires that burn within. South is the direction of fire, like the Phoenix, we can rise from the flames. It is the time of mid-day, the hottest part of the day, the part when the sun is overhead and no shadows are
cast. Maturing and growing into an adult to be that who we are meant to be. It is the time to accept the change and learn, to understand. South is the sun at its highest point. It is the direction from where warm winds blow. South is the spirit of earth, the power of life. It represents peace and renewal. This is the place of Summer, a time of plenty. The South is also a place for innocence, trust and for perceiving closely things of nature and of the heart.
Symbolic colours for the south may include White (peace and happiness) or Red (fire and passion).
The animals in the South represent pride, strength and courage and include Eagle, Lion and Wolf.
Cedar is the sacred herb of the South and used to make a smoke smudge. It is also very useful for cleansing and helping to get rid of negative or bad energy.

West- This is the emotional part of ourselves, like the flowing water we must learn to go with the flow of life. The time of the West is when we learn that we are responsible to all things and to each other. It is the time to prepare, to finish things for the time of Winter is coming. We gather ourselves and family, working together to prepare for what is to come. West is the spirit of water. It is the direction from which darkness comes. It is the power of change, the place of dreams, introspection and the unknown. The West signifies purity and strength. As the place of emotions it is the place of family and love. It is hard work and team efforts. This is the place of later adulthood, Autumn, the time of the setting sun or twilight. The daylight fades and brings a new awareness in this time of gradual change. When the darkness comes we must look inward to find the light and have courage. To understand what we see in the darkness may not be real but only shadows.
Symbolic colours for the West include Black (death, the end of Life's Cycle) or Blue (water and emotions).
Animal Totems residing here include Turtle, Beaver (team work and preparedness ) and Snake.
The Sacred Herb is Sage, usually used for smudging.

North- The legend says that to the North on the medicine wheel is found wisdom. As we get older, our hair turn white, as we come to our time of Winter. White (and purple) also symbolize spirituality. With experience and age we gain wisdom. Now we have time to rest and contemplate the lessons. North is purity and wisdom, a great place of healing. This is the time after midnight, a dream time. The time to be grounded within yourself and deep within, like a bear in a cave. North is the spirit of wind. The cold wind blows from the North. It is the power of wisdom. Here we take time to reflect on what we began in the East, in the morning, in our youth. North is the place of winter. This reminds us to stop and listen. That we must have prepared for the long time of Winter. Having been in action the other seasons we now rest and contemplate to understand the wisdom we have been given.
Colours of the North include White (wisdom) and Blue (failure, defeat, sadness).
The Medicine Animals for the North include White Buffalo, Moose and Bear.
The Sacred Herb is Sweetgrass which represents the hair of Mother Earth, so it is often braided. Sweetgrass is known for its beautiful aroma when it's used for cleansing. The end of the sweetgrass braid is lit, which produces a cleansing and purifying smoke.

I have had the pleasure to experience two very different transformations within a Medicine Wheel. The first occured on a farm north of Toronto, Ontario. I was attending a weekend retreat and was struggling with a massive tension headache. I had experienced a glorious transformation with a healing fire earlier that morning, but my body was slower to recover from the change. Keeawok had built her Medicine Wheel as an herb garden with different herbs in 12 sections of the circle. Large rounds of wood marked the four directions with smaller rounds and stones forming the circle and spokes. The rounds were large enough to sit on and gaze at the garden in the centre. I entered the Wheel in the East as is the custom and proceeded to sit in the South. I thought about the ceremony I had been a part of, thought about the changes I was experiencing, I tried to understand why I still felt pain after such a dramatic release. I sat, basking in the sun, enjoying the beauty surrounding me and felt my body relax. I realized that as I became immersed in Nature, The pain in my head disappeared. I walked the Wheel and exited once more from the East, thanking the directions, above, below and within.

My second experience also involved transformation. I had been in Sedona, Arizona for several days. My days filled with climbing and hiking the red rocks, meditating with fellow travellers at the Airport Vortex and buying more books than my pack could hold. I even had an unexplained UFO experience one night. Here it was, my last day before heading back to Flagstaff and on to the Grand Canyon. I had noticed the booth offering guided Jeep tours of the area and finally decided I had to do it. Now I don't care for wild rides through mountainous terrain and I remember little about the excursion except for the abject terror that we were for sure going to go tumbling over a ledge to certain death. My fear vanished as we approached the large Medicine Wheel. The circle and spokes were made of fist-sized stones in the classic four-quadrant pattern. I felt myself vibrating and resonating with the power of the place. My new friends and I were instructed by the guide to feel for the appropriate place or direction to sit down at. I entered from the East and began to slowly walk clockwise around the circle. I was becoming impatient as I noticed others finding their place and sitting down. I was getting worried, had I missed the spot? I was nearing the East once more, the exit, the end of the circle when suddenly I felt a wave of vibration so strong, it took my breath away. This is the place, the last seat before the exit/entrance. Tears were pouring down my face, I was shaking as I sat. A part of my old self, that fearful self died that day and I was grieving the loss of a familiar part of me. Our guide talked about the directions and what they represent and acknowledged what I had intuited, that I was sitting in the place of death. As I released the old pattern, I felt lighter, smiling, I was being given the opportunity to experience rebirth. As I honoured the directions and rose to leave, I felt a wondrous sense of rebirth. I shared a warm embrace with my new found friends and we headed back to the jeep for the ride back to town. I was elated, clear, and no longer fearful.

There are many ways to use the Medicine Wheel/Circle and the more often it is used, the more power it will hold for ceremonies. This is a place of high medicine and should be built with time and care as a permanent place. Once the circle is made, an opening ceremony to bless the space is appropriate. Personal beliefs will determine how the wheel/circle will be used. The entrance/exit is usually placed in the East and once inside, one may wish to honour the four directions and meet with Spirit in a meaningful way.

Face east and give thanks for the warmth of the sun and the coming new day. Pray for the power of knowledge.
Face south and give thanks for the gift of life on this moist earth. Pray for the power to grow. Pray for peace in the world.
Face west and give thanks for the water of life. Pray for purity and strength. Pray for self understanding.
Face north and give thanks for the great white cleansing wind. Pray for the wisdom of experience.

The medicine wheel is sacred, the native people believe, because the Great Spirit caused everything in nature to be round. The Sun, Sky, Earth and Moon are round. Thus, we should look upon the Medicine Wheel (circle of life) as sacred. It is the symbol of the circle that marks the edge of the world and the Four Winds that travel there. It is also the symbol of the year. The Sky, the Night, and the Moon go in a circle above the Sky, therefore, the Circle is a symbol of these divisions of time. It is the symbol of all times throughout creation.

http://www.herbshealing.com/weedforum/viewtopic.php?t=500&sid=d66fe879117c451dac05f88756753141
http://users.ap.net/~chenae/spirit.html
http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/human/archaeo/faq/medwhls.htm
http://www.spiritualnetwork.net/native/medicine_wheel.htm


Lila is a student of The Sacred Three Goddess school. She lives on a mountain in beautiful British Columbia with her husband, four cats, two ferrets and other varied critters of nature. She spends her time communing with the Faerie folk and long walks by the river.