The Medicine WheelThe History of the Solar CrossA solar cross is defined as a Cross within a Circle. A Medicine Wheel is basically a Solar/sun cross or wheel. It has been found on objects, and carved in stone back to megalithic times. Crossed circles scratched on stones have been recovered from Paleolithic cave sites in the Pyrenees, At the Callanish Stones in the Outer Hebrides, or painted on pottery. The crossed-circle symbol appears in such diverse areas as the Pyrenees, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Iranian plateau, and in the Indus River valley, Egypt, China, pre-Columbian America, and Native North Americans. It is one of the first non-pictorial graphs to appear when humankind was on the threshold of the Bronze Age. When the first writing systems were developed, the Solar cross was included among them. It appears in the earliest systems of writing used by the Egyptians, Hittites, Cretians, Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans.In ancient China this sign was associated with thunder, power, energyFigure 1 Wheel pendants dating to the second half of the 2nd millennium BC, found in Zürich, are held at the Swiss National Museum. Variants include a six-spoked wheel, a central empty circle, and a second circle with twelve spokes surrounding one of four spokes. Figure 2 Ornamental pins, found in Switzerland, date to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC; their circular heads are incised with crosses.What is a Medicine Wheel?The medicine wheel is a directionalized circle of stones with four spokes and a center. The outer circle is made up of sixteen stones, one for each of the twelve moons, and one for each of the four spirit keepers. The central stone is surrounded by seven smaller stones. From this configuration four paths of three stones radiate out toward each cardinal direction. A stone is set in each prime direction, north, south, east, and west, to represent the spirit keeper of the direction. These spirit keeper stones are connected to the central stones by paths of three stones each.A lot of Pagans find many of the spiritual practices of various tribes of American Indians comfortable and successful. It’s not so much that their religion was much like 21st century Paganism but rather that the cosmology of many of the tribes is generally compatible with that of modern Pagans of European background. In addition, they had a number of very effective practices which are appealing to many of us.In terms of your inner quest, a medicine wheel is a meditation aid and focus. It helps you sort out from the complex and huge collection of things you might need to think about down to one particular topic for the particular moment. Continued use, however, encourages you to move from one discrete topic to a related one, helping you to link together the concepts and the things you learn when you meditate on them. It’s a dynamic rosary both helping form a strong foundation for your inner growth and creating a process that encourages you to continue reaching for more.Building a Medicine WheelFirst you need to decide what type of Medicine Wheel would work for you and where you live. I have seen a Medicine Wheel placed on a square of wood with small stones, so it is inside an apartment. I have hear of the stones being buried in a backyard with only the center showing. But most people will build a 6-12 foot circle, outside, for personal use that will allow 3-4 people to work inside of it. Of course more people can stand outside of it for larger group workings.As the medicine wheel exists in the one, true eye of the heart, it becomes three dimensional, reaching into the earth and sky and surrounding you with its sacred space. As you work with it, it even becomes multi-dimensional; crossing and pulsating simultaneously in and out of all levels of reality affected by your existence. It sanctions the area you are in so that you may perform your tasks there in a Sacred (galunky’ti’yu) manner.Meaning of the stonesThe twelve moon stones of the outer circle begin with the Icicle Moon stone, approximating December 22, followed by the other eleven full moons. These moonstones proceed around the circle, interrupted at intervals of three by the spirit keeper stones. Eventually they return, moving clockwise around the wheel, to the Icicle Moon stone. [Note: A blue moon is a full moon that does not fall into the regular monthly pattern and makes a 13th full moon for the solar year. Most years have twelve full moons which occur approximately monthly, but each calendar year also contains an excess of about eleven days. The so that every two or three years (on average about every 2.7 years) there is an extra full moon. The extra moon is what we call a "blue moon." To me it is a time to seriously focus on the center stone, and my relationship to Deity and “all my relations”)The medicine wheel we describe here was developed from the traditions of the Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy. This tradition is different from traditions described in other sources.Each individual stone in the medicine wheel has its own meaning. The relationships of the stones to each other are also rich with meanings and messages. It is not possible to explore these messages completely here, but you will find much meaning for yourself in your work with the wheel. We can only suggest the most generally agreed upon messages that are suitable for public ceremonies and for your beginning work with the wheel.The Central StoneThe central stone is the first stone you will place. Be sure that it is in the center of the area so that there will be enough room to lay out the remainder of the wheel. The central stone is the abode of the Great Spirit, Galunlati. It demonstrates the unity of all things. It is also a messenger to Galunlati for the People’s prayers and from Galunlati to the People.The Seven Surrounding StonesLay the seven smallest stones equidistant from each other and from the central stone. You may need to dig slightly to make secure beds for these stones so they will stay as you have placed them.These seven stones represent the universe. They are the seven sacred streams: life, matter, energy, dimension, time, motion (movement), and spirit. All that exists is formed of one or more of these seven streams.To come to a knowledge of the Seven Streams is to see the power and the glory of all creation. This is the (Great) Spirit…[and] the Seven Streams are representative of Life Universal and Life Individual. They contain all the magic of the universe. The Warrior could study, walk any path until his days were old and his sight was faltering and he would still know nothing of how life works until he comes to the Sacred Streams. With this knowledge, he would find himself. Thus, the Universe, the Great Spirit, and ourselves are found in the Quest for the Seven Streams, for these are our life, our dance, our dream. This is what we have; it’s a good way… Sequoyah, Scribe of the CherokeeAt the entrance of a Cherokee lodge are the seven sacred stones, with an eighth stone forming an entrance into the lodge. The number 7 is an important mystical number throughout the world… In American Indian traditions, it is one of the two particularly revered numbers (the other being 4). To the Seneca, it is the seven stones: the bloodstone, fertility stone, sun stone, blossoming stone, water stone, charity stone, and healing stone. [Brad Steiger, American Indian Magic] To the Sioux, it is the seven arrows of the seven directions: west, north, east, south, sky, earth, and spirit (center). Seven is also the number of the Hindu chakras (the powers of the human body): the base, the sex, the solar plexus, the heart, the throat, the third eye and the crown. Often American Indians were part of organizations of seven tribes, and frequently seven clans made up the tribe.The Four Stones of the Spirit KeepersUnless you are very, very sure of the directions at your site, be sure to use a compass placed on a level surface to determine the placement of the four stones marking the prime directions: west, north, east and south. These four stones should be placed in that order. Each stone is dedicated to the spirit keeper of that direction.The spirit keepers rule the four prime directions. Long ago the Great Spirit set the spirit keepers to watch over and guard the sacred powers of the four directions, or the four winds. These spirit keepers travel to and from the abode of the Great Spirit in the center of the medicine wheel along the paths and roads laid out for them to follow. They work constantly for the healing and evolution of Grandmother Earth and all her children. They are always ready to guide, inspire, and protect those who would aid them in their tasks.These stones also represent the four seasons (renewal) and the four sacred ceremonies held at the changes of the seasons. They represent the sacred powers of the four directions and the four sacred elements that are the source of all things. They are the four worlds dreamed by Grandmother Earth the minerals, plants, animals and humans.The stone of the west is Yanu, the bear, and its color is black. It is where it is always growing dark; and where it [the sun] sets; there where they stay overnight. Here is the dwelling of the Thunders.The stone of the north is Yunsu, the buffalo, and its color is white. In the north lies the cave of the great white giant who breathes out the cleansing wind.The stone of the east is Awahili, the eagle, and its color is red. It is the sun land; and where the sun comes up.The stone of the south is Tsistu, the rabbit, and its color is green. Tsistu is the trickster, who teaches by opposites. This is the direction the People are always facing.The Paths and RoadsEach path that leads from the center to a spirit keeper stone each has its own special lesson. The red paths are placed first. Lay three of your red stones in a line to the south spirit keeper stone, equidistantly from the center and from each other. These are the stones of trust, growth, and love on the path of life and growth.Next lay the remaining three red stones in a similar manner forming a path from the center to the north. The north path, made up of the red stones of cleansing, renewal, and purity, holds purification of the heart and mind both physically and spiritually.Next, lay the black paths in the same manner as the red paths. First, place three black stones from the center to the west, The west path is made up of the stones of experience, introspection, and strength. This path holds the force of lessons, hard work, and possible pain, which may be necessary for true learning.Finally, lay three black stones from the center to the east. These are the stones of clarity, wisdom, and illumination that lead to the east and hold enlightenment and the substance of lessons.Together, the two red paths form a north-south road, called “the good red road.” This is your spiritual path, the one where you will be happiest. East and west, the black paths form the black road of difficult lessons and the achievement of the wisdom and power that age and experience may confer.The Moon StonesThe last stones to be placed in the circle are the twelve moon stones. The moon stones have very rich associations. They demonstrate the turning of the seasons and the cyclic nature of life, and each moon has its own animal, plant, and mineral totems. Lay three moon stones between each pair of spirit-keeper stones. This forms the outer ring of the medicine wheel.To place the moon stones, begin at the west stone. Place a stone for the Birds Fly Moon (each ‘moon’ represents about a month) one quarter of the way between the west stone and the north stone. Next place the Woodchuck Moon stone about halfway and the Long Sleep Moon stone three quarters of the way. These stones represent the full moons of the months of October, November, and December.Place moon stones for the Icicle Moon, Frost Moon, and Thawing Moon between the north and east. These are the moons of the months of January, February, and March. Between the east and south stones place the Flower Moon stone, the Mockingbird Moon, and Dogwood Moon stones. These represent the April, May and June moons. Finally, place the Red Hawk Moon, Sassafras Moon and Squirrel Moon stones between the south and west spirit keeper stones. These are for the moons of July, August, and September.Yanu is the spirit keeper of the moons of January, February, and March; Yunsu of April, May, and June; Awahili of July, August, and September; and Tsistu of October, November, and DecemberThe moon stones and their characteristics are analogous to the sun signs of the astrological zodiac. You were born under the influence of one of these moons, and its strengths, totems, and other characteristics describe you, at least at the beginning of your life/path. As you grow, physically, mentally, and spiritually, your path may lead you around the ring of the moons many times. Perhaps, eventually, it will lead you spiraling into the center.Within the stones of the medicine wheel lie many ways of perceiving yourself and your relationship to the earth, the sky, and the universe. It is a key to your growth in understanding and in spirit, and it will help you travel along the medicine path in a sacred (Galunky’ti’yu) manner.Please always remember that these characteristics—the names, languages, and totems we give for the separate stones of the medicine wheel—are from one specific native tradition. You need not use the animal, plant, and mineral totems we have named here. Many medicine people seek their own designations through meditations or channeling. They receive their own individual plant, animal, and mineral totem spirits for each moon. Remember the basic powers of each direction and proceed accordingly. If you have a good memory, your own designations can add intense personal power to your sacred space.