The Sacred Wheel of Life, a meditation by me

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The Sacred Wheel of Life You are on a well worn path in a forest of large majestic redwoods. The moonlight glimmers on the moist fronds of the dense ferns that border the trees. You can smell the damp moist soil and decaying leaves under your feet. The moon and stars blanket the evening sky above. You are dressed in a white velveteen cloak that shimmers in the moonlight. It is early spring and the air is slightly cool still but you are comfortable in just your cloak. In the distance you here the beating of drums and barely audible chanting in a language you are not familiar with. There is a slight hint of sage and cedar wafting in the gentle breeze. As you near the edge of the thicket you see the warm glow of a bonfire. The sacred scents are stronger and the drumming and chanting louder. As you step from the trees you see that there are 5 figures dancing around a bonfire in a small clearing in the midst of the forest. They suddenly stop dancing and drumming and look in your direction. As they again begin their drumming you see yet another figure coming towards you. She is dressed in a white buckskin dress and moccasin boots. The beads and feathers on the fringe of her dress dance in the gentle breeze. Her black hair hangs long and loose about her waist. Not saying a word, she holds out her hand and you take it. As you near the fire, you see that the five figures dancing about the fire are men dressed also in buckskins. Four of the men have painted faces, one in yellow, one in red, one in black, and one in white. The fifth man's face has symbols in all four colors on his face. The young woman brings you to the edge of the circle where the men have stopped dancing, but the chanting continues. She picks up a smudge stick of cedar and sage and begins to smudge you with using a feather to push the smoke. She then paints your face with yellow, red, black and white. As she turns to go, the man with the yellow painted face steps forward and asks you to sit next to him at the East of the circle. He picks up a beautifully carved pipe and loads it with tobacco. There are many animals carved into the pipestone bowl. The begin by offering the smoke from the pipe to the five directions, as well as above and below. As the pass the pipe amongst themselves it in turn comes to you and you take your turn also. They begin chanting again, but softly. As the sage and cedar fill your nostrils, the chanting and drumming fill your head and heart and a vision comes to you. An eagle appears before you where the fire had moments ago been. You hear the eagle speaking inside your head, "From the East, we begin to seek knowledge, the direction where everything is fresh and new. To greet the sun and appreciate the potential for new learning experiences. The new day that enables us to see the miracles and harmony of the Creators creations. Take this wisdom and keep it in your heart." You find that you are now seated at the South of the circle next to the man with his face painted red. A mouse appears where the eagle had just been. You hear mouse speaking inside your head. "From the south we experience growth, the direction where everything in life is replenished and in full bloom. To taste the ripe fruit of appreciation and not take what we have for granted. Take this wisdom and keep it in your heart." Again, moved in the circle, but this time you are seated in the West next to the man with his face painted black. A grizzly bear stands before you now, you hear her words inside your head. " From the west we encounter reflection and spiritual insight, the direction where dreams and visions allow you to go within and appreciate yourself and your Creator. Take this wisdom and keep it in your heart." As you are now seated next to the man with the painted face of white at the North of the circle, a buffalo appears before you. Again you hear the words of the animal spirit before you as you. " From the North we experience purity, the direction where the secret to many cures are found for healing. Like the white snow that resembles the white hair of our elders we honor wisdom. Take this wisdom and keep it in your heart." Now you are standing in front of the man with the symbols in the four colors of the directions. He points to the circle and you suddenly are aware that this is not a circle but a Medicine Wheel, each man signifying a sacred direction, the fire representing the center, Great Mystery, Spirit. He is still speaking in his own tongue but we are able to understand each word. "Each of us is deeply connected to everything that exists and therefore we are a critical part of the sacred medicine wheel. Because of this interconnectedness, what we do to other life forms, we are doing to ourselves. This is the Law of One. The wheel can give us visions for our life. True visions benefit all our relations on Mother Earth, not just human relations, but all the beings in all the kingdoms. Take this wisdom and share it from your heart." He turns back to the wheel, the others once again stand and begin dancing and chanting. The young lady that accompanied you here appears and again takes your hand. As you reach the beginning of the path home at the entrance of the forest she presses into your hand a small doeskin pouch and turns to go. As you step onto the path, you glance back and see not but redwood trees and ferns behind you. Turning back to begin your journey home you discover that you are back in your own yard, the sun beginning its slow ascent. You sit down to look at the pouch in your hand and discover that it has a beaded design of the Medicine Wheel with two small feathers dangling decorating the outside. At each compass point are the sacred animals representing the four directions. You open the pouch and find that it is quite empty. You realize that it in fact it is a symbol of life. It is up to you to fill it with love, light, and beauty. As with life, what you put into it you will also receive. We as the pouch, have marks on the outside but it is what is inside that counts. Begin now to fill the pouch. You are ready to embrace each day with love and trust and begin now by greeting today with a prayer of thanks as you sit and watch the day begin. 4-18-05 CLH