Medicine Wheel: 4 Directions
- Lorraine
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
An Inner Calling
I had the chance to live in the United States between the ages of three and five—two years that shaped my being. Without them, I would not be who I am today. It was there that I first encountered the vastness and untamed breath of nature. I remember the silent majesty of the Sequoias, the fleeting shadows of bears in Yellowstone, and the thrill of swimming alongside turtles and manta rays in a still-untouched sanctuary. Since then, a vibrant call has resonated within me—a call from the earth, the wind, the water, and the fire. An ancient, intimate, and powerful whisper that has guided me on the path of reconnection with the living world.
Over the years, I have sought to understand and honor this deep bond with nature. On this journey, I encountered ancestral teachings that resonated within me as an undeniable truth. The Medicine Wheel is one of them. It invites us to walk in balance upon this Earth, to honor each direction, and to receive with humility the lessons it offers. It reminds us that everything in life is cyclical: birth, growth, decline, and rebirth. Each direction carries its own teachings and unique energy, and moving forward with it means learning to walk in harmony with the cycles of life. Every step on this path is an opening—an invitation to listen, feel, and learn. Grandmother Medicine Song, whose wisdom guides my steps, constantly reminds me of the importance of walking with awareness, attuned to the rhythm of the Earth and the seasons.
When I first discovered the land my partner and I had purchased, a vision came to me: here, in this very place, I would one day build a Medicine Wheel. A sacred space for ceremonies and prayers, where the wisdom of the Wheel could flow freely.
At that moment, it was just a dream—a promise whispered to the wind. But every dream has its own rhythm to take shape.
Before going further, if you are new to the Medicine Wheel, I invite you to read my first article on this topic: Meeting the Medicine Wheel
The Medicine Wheel 4 Directions: A Sacred Circle
A Medicine Wheel is a sacred symbol used by many Indigenous traditions of North America to represent the cycles of life, the interconnectedness of all things, and the spiritual journey of the human being.
With its 36 stones arranged in a precise layout, it embodies the cycles of life, the elements, the spirits of animals, the clans, and the moons. Each stone is a gateway to a deeper understanding of ourselves, the living world, and the Creator.
The Medicine Wheel is a tool for knowledge and transformation. It invites us to walk consciously through the different stages of our lives, to honor the cycles of nature, and to find balance within and around us.
Depending on the tradition, the arrangement of the stones, the teachings, and the practices that accompany them may vary, but the essence remains the same: a path towards harmony with life.
The First Step: Finding the Four Stones
When I shared with Satya, my mentor, my desire to create a Medicine Wheel on my land, she smiled with that gentle wisdom and simply said:
"Start with the Four Directions. Find your first four stones and pray with them."
These words felt like a sacred invitation. So, before setting out on my search, I took the time to connect with the Directions, to welcome their energy into me. I wanted them to speak to me, to guide me, to whisper where to find these stones—the ones that would carry their essence and anchor the Wheel into the land.
The Four Directions: The Four Guardian Spirits
Each direction carries a medicine, an essential teaching for our balance.
The East: Renewal and Clear Vision
Element: Air
Colors: Gold and Red
Totem Animal: Golden Eagle
Sacred Plant: Tobacco
Stone: Catlinite
The East is the direction of the rising sun, of spring, and childhood. It is the breath of renewal, clarity, and pure vision. The Golden Eagle, messenger of the Creator, invites us to rise higher to see our path more clearly. The element Air brings inspiration and the strength of new beginnings. Sacred Tobacco carries prayers to the sky, sending our intentions with sincerity.
Practice for the East: The Dawn Ritual
At sunrise, face the East and welcome the emerging light. Breathe deeply, feel the air on your skin, and let your breath synchronize with the world around you. If you have sacred tobacco, offer it to the earth as a sign of respect and openness to this direction
The South: Growth and Heart Connection
Element: Water
Colors: Yellow and Green
Totem Animal: Coyote
Sacred Plant: Sagebrush
Stone: Serpentine
The South is the territory of summer, the bright midday sun, and adolescence. Here, life pulses with energy, and emotions flow like a river in motion. The Coyote, playful and unpredictable, teaches humility and the ability to laugh at oneself. The element Water, source of life and purification, helps us remain fluid and adaptable. Sagebrush purifies and protects, while Serpentine, a stone of regeneration, supports growth.
Practice for the South: Dancing with Life
Put on music that moves you and let your body dance freely. Dance without restraint, as if the South Wind were blowing through you. Allow laughter and spontaneity to fill your being. This practice honors the South by awakening joy and connection to the present moment.
The West: introspection and transformation
Element: Fire
Colors: Blue and black
Totem animal: Grizzly Bear
Sacred plant: Cedar
Stone: Steatite
The West is the direction of twilight, autumn, and adulthood. It is the passage into introspection, the descent within to find deep truths. The Grizzly Bear, guardian of dreams and transformations, guides us toward silence and inner healing. Fire, the purifier and alchemist, burns away the old to allow for rebirth. Cedar, the tree of protection, accompanies the prayers of those seeking clarity. Steatite, soft and ancient, is a stone that invites meditation and inner listening.
Practice for the West: The purifying bath
At dusk, take a bath with salt and cedar. Imagine your tensions dissolving in the water, like leaves falling in autumn. Feel the warmth of the inner fire transforming you gently.
The North: Wisdom and Grounding
Element: Earth
Colors: White
Totem Animal: White Bison
Sacred Plant: Sweetgrass
Stone: Alabaster
The North is the direction of winter, the silent midnight, and old age. It is the territory of the elders, deep teachings, and renewal following the long night. The White Bison, bearer of wisdom and abundance, teaches us gratitude and respect for the sacred. The Earth element reminds us of the importance of roots and grounding. Sweetgrass, a gentle and healing herb, is an offering scent to honor the benevolent spirits. Alabaster, a stone of light, supports meditation and connection with guides.
Practice for the North: The Offering of Gratitude
Each evening, write down three things you are grateful for. If you wish, burn a bit of sweetgrass as an offering, letting its fragrance wrap you in the gentleness of the North.
Through the Medicine Wheel: 4 directions, each cardinal point carries a breath, an energy, a teaching that guides us on the path of harmony.
Prayer to the Four Directions
Great Spirit of the East, breath of the morning,
You who carry the first light of the day,
Grant me clarity and right vision,
You are the wind that brings renewal, the call of spring,
You are the sacred tobacco's fragrance,
May I walk on my path with wisdom and truth.
May the Golden Eagle teach me to see beyond appearances,
And may the sacred wind purify my mind and heart.
Great Spirit of the South, you who sing under the hot sun,
You who nourish youth and play,
You are the laughter of the coyote, carefreeness, and joy,
Teach me to move forward with confidence and love,
Teach me to love with lightness,
To follow the river's flow without fear,
May the living water wash away my fears and quench my soul.
May the Coyote, master of detours and laughter,
Teach me to see the wisdom hidden in my mistakes.
Great Spirit of the West, you who watch over the twilight,
You who carry mysteries and transformations,
Help me descend within myself without fear,
Teach me to look beyond the veil,
To welcome the shadow as an ally.
May the Grizzly Bear teach me inner strength,
May it help me walk fearlessly in the night of the soul.
May the sacred Fire consume within me what must be released.
May the cedar purify and protect me.
Great Spirit of the North, icy breath of winter,
You who hold the memory of the elders,
Grant me their wisdom,
Grant me patience and humility,
May the White Bison teach me gratitude and perseverance,
May Mother Earth ground me and remind me that everything is reborn after rest.
May I walk with respect and humility.
Great Spirit, Creator of all that is,
I give thanks for these teachings,
And I humbly walk upon this sacred circle of life.
Aho
An Invitation to Walk the Circle
Each day, we pass through these directions within ourselves. The Medicine Wheel is a living path, a guide to walk in harmony with the world. Today, which direction calls to you? What intention do you wish to set in your own Wheel?
If this teaching resonates with you, I invite you to explore further and join the teaching circles, drum healing sessions, and workshops I offer at the Yoga With You Studio. Together, let us honor the living and walk with awareness.
One step, one breath, one intention... and the Wheel continues to turn.
May your path be illuminated by the wisdom of the Four Directions.
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