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Family Matters:  What's a medicine wheel?  |
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
 Posted - May 07 2007 : 08:11:37 AM
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| I just read in the post about gratitude journaling, a few references to medicine wheels...what are they? |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 09:07:58 AM
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There are many meanings people have for the medicine wheel. The early americans used them to know when to plant and harvest and measure sacred days.
Also:
The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the four Sacred colors and 4 Cardinal Directions. In essence the circle of Life. The Great spirit teaches that we all will live and experience each direction, and that Defeat along with Triumph, Happiness along with Loss, Death and Peace are all directions we must experience in order to honor Mother Earth. MB
I forgot: North is blue-symbolic of Defeat and Loss
South is white: symbolic of Happiness and Peace
East is red' symbolic of Triumph and Success
West is black:Symbolic of Death
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
Edited by - Marybeth on May 07 2007 6:17:13 PM |
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Zahara
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Buffalo
New York
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 09:13:41 AM
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it is an manner of looking at religion and the Great Spirit for Native Americans. Depending on what region of the country/tribe the color, animal, meaning given to each sector can change - can be fourths or eighths
it is a wheel - you always end up back where you started. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz - if it was not in your own back yard...
But she had to go out of her back yard to find it.
it is a way of looking at different aspects of yourself .. the seasons, changes, growth/death.
there is a lot of information and books ( and dis-information) on the subject but it all comes down to -- A true medicine wheel heals what needs to be healed. So you have to find what "talks" with/to you, irrelevant to a meaning someone else has attaching to a color, item or animal. This is similar to what is know today as Art Therapy.
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 4:12:23 PM
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Marybeth, do you have a picture of one?
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 5:50:02 PM
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Kathie try this web site for making your own wheel although everybody has different ideas. I will also post a picture i made of one I tweaked a bit and had for years.
http://www.spiritualnetwork.net/native/medicine_wh
eel.htm
This one I didn't plant in the middle i put a chair and would sit there to meditate or read or laugh if I wanted to. I planted Parsley all around the circle and then different colored plants for each section and left one opening for a path so i would still have four some what odd corners. I hope this helps. Marybeth
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Shirley
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Shirley
Olympia
Wa
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 6:25:53 PM
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We used to have wheel ceremonies with drumming (Indian)It was for healing, mending and just gave you a good feeling to be on the wheel, you enter from a certain point and leave at the same place, it was a 4 directions wheel. Have seen things happpen while the ceremonies went on, like the feel of an eagle spirit passing over the wheel, the air movement, when it was perfectly still out.
It gives you a very grounded and serene feeling, makes ya want to stay there.
Many gifts were given to this wheel, in the way of nature things, rocks,shells,beads,tabacco ties.
Marybeths looks interesting, but it looks like a wiccan wheel? You can make your own wheels in your back yard. just so there not kids and dogs and whomever trambling over it . Its a sacred place .....
shirley |
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2007 : 06:34:14 AM
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Thanks you guys! This is very interesting. I have a garden that needs rehaulted.....it's oval, but I think it will do. It's my reflection garden as it is. Intersting that my 'reflection garden' is the one that's over grown. 
It's where my wonderful cat rests in peace, and I have a few things there that bring me comfort when I think about my miscarriage.
I've used Medicine cards before...........is a medicine wheel similar.
I think I'm going to work on my garden, and create my own meditations spot.
Thanks for the inspiration! |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2007 : 06:42:36 AM
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These are very pretty aren't they?
I like this.. I really like the idea of planting certain herbs in the design as well..
I think I'm planning... or is that plotting?
I have this weird habit of picking up rock from every where i travel too.. ( like when i was in Yellowstone & Salt Lake..)
But i never really know what to do with them once i get them home besides toss them in the garden! I think i can incorporate them in the Wheel with the herbs!
What i really nice idea!!
& i even have eagles in my back yard!!
ok.. they are perched on top of a Cell tower.. but they ARE Eagles!!
Thanks so much you guys!!
I really like this!
I have this wooden circle thing painted that i had gotten at a yard sale years ago.. not sure what it was .. just a really pretty design i had thought.. lots of diamonds painted on it.. almost made me think of a really complicated quilt.. but this is why i'd asked if you had a picture.. i was wondering if this was it.. but, doesn't look anything like these.. I'm sure it's some sort of Mexican art.. I'll see if i can get a picture of it.. ( you know i am the moct 'un' techinical farm girl here of course!! so this will take some time!!!
Thanks again for the photos & info!
Kathie
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2007 : 2:28:42 PM
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| That's funny Kathy, I was just thinking of incorporating some important to me, stones in my renewed garden. :) |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 08 2007 : 3:22:50 PM
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We'll have to compare notes Alicia..
i really like my Shade Garden.. But i'm almost thinking that if i go with the herbs.. i need more sun.. But it's really so miserably hot here sometimes.. I'm afraid i'd put it in the sun.. then regret it!!
i'll have to think on this a bit..
let me know how yours is going..
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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greentea
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Alicia
Wisconsin
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 10:34:26 AM
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Kathie,
I went outside with my little son yesterday afternoon and started pulling the nettle and burdock our of the garden.
My garden is the only sunny garden I have. We have a very shady yard. I kind of like the sunniness of it, and I think that lends to making it a 'tea' garden. I have catnip and mint, I think I'll try to add some chamomile. I want to plant edible things this year, so I don't have to watch the baby quite so carefully while I'm working.
But, it does get hot there in the summer. That's how this garden grew to disrepair last year. I was pregnant, and it was the hottest summer in recorded history! So, I was lucky if I made it down on my knees in the shad gardens.
But, your in Flordia right...so shade would be a welcome comfort, like the sun is here. |
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Kathie
True Blue Farmgirl
2436 Posts
Kathie
Thonotosassa
Florida
USA
2436 Posts |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 11:56:45 AM
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Alicia,
Yes.. I remember Vacationing in Wisconsin growing up.. even in the summer it can stay cool.. So the Sun is always welcome..
( I'm from illinois originally..)
Can't believe you've already got a jump start on me!!
I do like the idea of the Tea though.. that is another terrific addition i think too..
Ya know, last year at Home Depot i kept finding the funniest combinations of mint.. like Mint Chocolate.. they all had such great aromas to them.. I still really love the smell of lemon balm.. & throw a couple leaves in my iced tea.. even if i don't really taste it.. the smell is always welcoming..
ok..
This week end.. I am insearch of some new additions.. & i will make the
final determination of where my Wheel needs to be!!
I wonder if we could do a rock swap????
Geezzzz.. can you imagine the postage on THAT one???
Wow..
thats pretty funny..
well.. i do have access to Sea Shell of course if you decide you want any..
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
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Family Matters: What's a medicine wheel? |
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What's a medicine wheel?
