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—it has no beginning and no end.

The Medicine Wheel teachings are based on the four directions:

Northern Doorway – Physical Aspect

• Represents wisdom.

• Direction emphasized in the intellectual; it is stimulated and challenged.

Eastern Doorway – Mental Aspect

• Direction of birth and rebirth, meaning new light to learn and/or new level of understanding.

• The direction from which light comes; the direction of illumination.

Southern Doorway – Spiritual Aspect

• Direction of the sun at its highest point.

• The direction in which we prepare for the long cold days ahead.

Western Doorway – Emotional Aspect

• Represents the heart and sensitivity to feelings and emotions.

• Place of the physical qualities of a human, which include taking care of our bodies.

• The west is the place for body awareness, nutrition, and physical activity.