Research on Medicine Wheels
From https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/exhibition/healing-ways/medicine-ways/medicine-wheel.html
“The Medicine Wheel and the Four Directions
The Medicine Wheel, sometimes known as the Sacred Hoop, has been used by generations of various Native American tribes for health and healing. It embodies the Four Directions, as well as Father Sky, Mother Earth, and Spirit Tree—all of which symbolize dimensions of health and the cycles of life.
The Medicine Wheel can take many different forms. It can be an artwork such as artifact or painting, or it can be a physical construction on the land. Hundreds or even thousands of Medicine Wheels have been built on Native lands in North America over the last several centuries.
Movement in the Medicine Wheel and in Native American ceremonies is circular, and typically in a clockwise, or “sun-wise” direction. This helps to align with the forces of Nature, such as gravity and the rising and setting of the Sun.”
Personal Interaction with and Creation of Medicine Wheels
My work with Medicine Wheels comes from studying the book, “The Medicine Wheel—Earth Astrology” by Sun Bear (Ojibwe) and Marlise Wabun Wind. What I have learned is: all beings walk the wheel of life, all are integral to the whole, all belong. When we acknowledge and participate mindfully with the journey we are on—be it a second, hour, day, season, year or entire life—we feel our wholeness, make choices from wholeness and bring harmony to our bodies, minds, hearts, souls and the entire collective we connect with.
For a visual description and more notes, see my art entitled, “Rejoice Always” and “Brilliance Casts out Fear”.