The Medicine Wheel

Crystal Cure: In Native American belief, the cardinal directions are linked to great Powers, or intelligent forces, whose energy (or Medicine) can be harnessed. The directions can be charted on a circular map, the Medicine Wheel, which can enable one to come into alignment with these spiritual powers and absorb something of them.

The Medicine Wheel is many things on many various levels and has many different meanings and uses. It is a circle which represents natural and personal powers in complete balance, and which shows that everything is interconnected and part of one cosmic whole. It is the circle of awareness of the individual self, and a circle of knowledge that gives one power over one's life. It is a shamanic map, or philosophical system, that can be used as a guide to help us find our way and ground us when we embark on inner journeys. We can use it to understand ourselves as well as life itself. It can be used for finding direction in life and for aligning physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual realities. One can use it to attune themselves to Earth influences and forces and to the natural energies that affect their lives.

A Medicine Wheel can be used:
as a sacred space
as an aid to meditation
as an altar
as a centering device for one's consciousness
as a protector
as a framework in which to honor the forces of Nature and the levels of being.

Each direction on the Wheel constitutes a path of self-realization and self-initiation into the mysteries of life which can lead you to the very core of your being where you can make contact with your own High Self (your Spiritual Self or True Self). Each path can help you to acquire the knowledge to work changes that will put meaning and purpose into your life, bringing enlightenment and fulfillment...read more>>>...

A Word on "Animal Direction Correspondences"

Each direction has its own special characteristic and meaning. When the animals are seen coming from or going to a particular direction, the depth of meaning can be enhanced. This is another way to tune into the subtle language of animals. Intuitions and general knowledge should help you in discerning this unique relationship....

NORTH
Associated with the nobility of manifesting things from the true essence within you. Earth is symbolic of wisdom, patience, prosperity. Grounding aspects of mind, body, spirit. What you gain in knowledge and teachings now, will be used later. What seemed impossible will be enlightened with a new idea and thought. Listen to your intuitions and trust that will be transformed in accordance with your true inner pathway.

EAST
Spiritual vision opens up, creativity, inspiration, higher awareness, higher intuitions, self-mastery through the use of will. Air links the Earth and Heavens which allows the ability to walk between the spiritual and physical worlds using dreams and visions. Be open to any revelations you have for they will give guidance. It is time for spiritual renewal, sometimes easy, sometimes painful, but always welcome for we need to grow within and without.

SOUTH
Opportunities to change and manifest a new thought, idea or action. Fire is the element of heart, passions and love that help us regenerate our lives. Change must be met with strength and endurance - knowing you will move through this stage and awaken new, fresh and purified. All of life is a cycle, there are only transition periods that we must maneuver through. During such changes, we learn, grow and expand our self awareness.

WEST
Physical and behavioral adaptations to the environment in order to survive. Water will always take the path of less resistance. Utilizing your energy to the fullest in whatever life requires is a hallmark of a true shapeshifter. Being able to adapt according to need in all areas of your life. This requires a shifting in consciousness to flow like water over a given circumstance. The animals have no qualms with changing, it does this without hesitation...read more>>>...

A Look At Totem Poles

A totem pole served as the emblem of a family or clan, its unity, the rights to which people in each clan were entitled, and as a reminder of each clan s link to a spirit-ancestor. Originally totem poles were usually carved as part of a Potlatch ceremony, a great and complex feast with deep meaning to coastal First Nations. There was a period between about 1900 and 1950 when, for various reasons, only a few were carved. But even during that slow period, there were Native people who kept the tradition alive and well.

In times past, a totem was raised for several reasons:
-to show the (great) number of rights a person had acquired over their lifetime
-to record an encounter with a supernatural being
-to symbolize the generosity of a person who sponsored a Potlatch ceremony. ... read more>>>...

Theme Week - Native America

A Light In The Darkness strives to be as informative and interesting as it can for its visitors. This means basically we try not to become stagnant ... we are always considering new ideas ... This week sees the start of a new feature. A special theme week ... where a large proportion of the posts will be based on the topic of the theme week ... kicking off this new feature with be 'Native America'