Medicine Wheel Teachings
The Medicine Wheel Teachings are among the oldest of First Nations People. A Medicine Wheel is a circle divided into four parts. It is called a wheel because it revolves endlessly and it has no beginning and no end. The Medicine Wheel Teachings are based on the four directions, the Eastern Doorway which represents the Emotional aspect of a human, the Western Doorway which represents the Physical and the Northern Doorway which represents the Mental aspect of a human.
Art by: Maryanne Mackay
The Western Direction: Red
The West direction is where the sun sets, symbolizing endings, reflection and the journey into the spirit world. It is in the West that we honor the spirits of our ancestors, those who have walked before us and recognize the sacred cycle of life, death and rebirth.
For men, the Western Doorway is also a place of responsibility and transformation. It calls on men to reflect on their actions, uphold their roles as protectors and walk with humility, courage and spiritual awareness. Through ceremony, prayer and connection to the land, men are guided by the wisdom of the West to become good fathers, uncles, brothers, and Knowledge Keepers.
The teachings of the West remind us that true strength is not only physical, but rooted in spiritual, balance, emotional integrity and cultural responsibility. When our men walk in alignment with the teachings of the West, they walk with the ancestors, grounded in the past and carrying their teachings into the future.
We honor our men who carry the medicine of the West who speak with integrity, walk with purpose and keep the fire of our teachings alive. Our spirit guide in that direction is the Black Bear. Our medicine is Cedar. The season is Fall. The element is Earth.
The Northern Direction: Black
The North direction holds a place of deep reverence. It is the direction of wisdom, clarity, and understanding a scared place where all knowledge is stored. The North represents the quiet stillness of winter, when the Earth resets and we turn inward to reflect, listen and learn.
This is the direction of the Elders, the Knowledge Keepers of our Nations. They carry the stories, teachings and sacred ways passed down through generations. With humility and strength, they guide us, reminding us of who we are and where we came from.
The North calls us to be still, to observe and to listen not only to words, but to silence between them. It is through this stillness that deep understanding can arise. The teachings of the North are not rushed, they come in their own time, much like the seasons.
The wisdom found in the North is not only intellectual, it is spiritual, emotional and rooted in lived experience. It is the direction in which we find balance, direction and grounding in our identity.
We honor our Elders who sit in in the North, offering us our guidance, truth, and the medicine of their lives.
As we journey through life, we are all moving toward the North, toward the stage where we too will be asked to share what we have learned, to walk in a good way and to carry the responsibility of teaching the next generations. Our spirit guide in this direction is the White Bear. Our medicine is Fungus. The season is Winter. The element is Air.
The Eastern Direction: White
The East is the direction of the rising sun, a powerful symbol of new beginnings, hope and renewal. It is in the East that each new day is born, bringing with it the light of possibility, growth and the promise of a fresh start.
The direction is connected to our children, who, like the dawn, represent the future, innocence and the unfolding of life. Children carry the dreams of our ancestors and responsibilities of tomorrow. They are sacred beings, closest to the spirit world, and are seen as gifts who deserve to be protected, nurtured, and guided by love, patience and wisdom.
The East reminds us to approach life curiosity and wonder, as our children do. It teaches is to honor the sacredness of birth, the importance of early teachings, and the strength found in community care for the next generations.
To walk in the East is to walk in a good way facing the light, embracing possibility, and carrying forward the sacred duty of preparing the path for those yet to come. Our spirit guide is Kitpu the Eagle. The medicine is Sweetgrass. The season is Spring. The element is Water.
The South Direction: Yellow
The South direction is associated with the spirit of women. It represents warmth, growth, nurturing and the vibrant energy of life itself. Just as the sun reaches its height in the southern sky during summer, so too does the South symbolize the peak of life’s journey the time of learning, action and the blossoming of potential.
The South honors women as life-givers, caregivers and knowledge-keepers. It reminds us of the sacred role women play in nurturing not only children but also communities and cultures.
Women carry the teachings of love, connection and the resilience qualities that mirror the strength of the summer sun and the growth it brings to the Earth.
In ceremony, and in life, when we face South, we give thanks fort he women who guide us with their wisdom, compassion and courage. We remember that to walk in balance, we must honor the sacred feminine in all forms and protect the spaces where women lead, teach and heal.
The South is a place of passion, creativity and responsibility a reminder that from the fire within, we can transform ourselves and our communities through love and action, just as our women have always done. Our spirit guide in that direction is the Thunderbird. Our medicine is Sage.
The season is Summer. The element is Fire.