For the early American Indians whose encampments stretched across the vast prairies, hills, and coasts, the universe was symbolized by the circle and nature was at the center of all things. Humans were but one strand in a highly integral web of life. Everything has a spirit; including trees, rocks, rivers, animals, and humans. Lakota say mitakuye oyasin, to all our relations. And for humans: black, red, yellow, white. We are all one blood and we are all related.

Humans were no more important than the other creatures. Bear, eagle, wolf, buffalo, moose, deer, frog and mouse, all were essential in the great circle of life. Each creature represents an essential quality in Nature. Eagle is the power of love, bear is courage and physical strength, the wolf is humility and the coyote is keen awareness. 

The land was seen as an integral ecosystem, not as an object to exploit and own but rather as a gift to be praised and revered in gratitude and to be respected and kept in balance. There is no word for ownership in the Lakota language. The cyclical or spiraling aspect of nature was expressed by the deep understanding of the continual transformation of energy.  As Black Elk said more than a century ago, “Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.”

Long ago White Buffalo Calf Woman gave the Lakota seven values: praying, respect, caring and compassion, honesty and truth, generosity and caring, humility, and wisdom. Lakota ceremonial traditions take a lifetime to learn and never exclude anyone but only a trained Lakota shaman can lead ceremonies. Everything is equal on the journey, and what will happen in our path will happen. And we will learn from it. There are no mistakes.

The Lakota Medicine Wheel is the Lakota life guide. It is based on the seasons and life cycles. There are 4 directions. The South is where we are born and how we relate to the place from which we have emerged. It is about renewal of spirit, inspiration and passion. Growth, abundance, shelter, loyalty, and innocence are all associated with the South. The teacher of the South is the mouse. It signifies learning from observation, close up as the mouse does. It involves investigating closely and learning how to live and develop a loving compassionate heart. 

Gradually we move around the circle to the West to gain life experiences and learn how to assimilate them. The West is the place of testing, where thunder and lightning bring the power to see, know, and heal. The two teachers of the West are the black bear, who possesses great physical strength and introspection— and the turtle who always perseveres and goes within. The West is the place where our will is stretched to its outer limits, where power needs be exerted in a harmonious, balanced way. 

Afterwards one journeys North to acquire wisdom, as well as endurance, strength, purity and truth. The North is the place of the great mountain. The higher we climb, the steeper and more difficult the journey becomes. But the higher we go, the more we can see and the stronger we become in our understanding of the Earth’s vastness. The North is the direction of completion and fulfillment. It is the place of detachment, where thoughts, feelings and insights are said to give way to something deeper and wider, where clarity and wisdom are present. The teacher of the North is the buffalo, the animal that is considered to be the most generous and all giving.  

The East is where we meld a synthesis from all of our experiences. This is where we attain illumination, peace, understanding and healing. It is the place of humility and joy, where the eagle flies the highest and sees afar. The East radiates with the gold of the morning star, or rising sun, the point of illumination. The Lakota Sun dance, or great ritual of rebirth, focuses on the power of the sun and light to renew and honor all life forms in the great wheel of life.

All 4 directions are part of life’s journey and there is no end to their spiraling movement for the medicine wheel turns forever. 

Finally, we step into the center of the circle, the place of inner being, the point of harmony that holds everything together. Here we take on the heyoka, or clown, where nothing can be taken seriously because everything is and isn’t at the same time. It is the spark of existence that survives endless deaths. It is also the paradox, the fusion of known and unknown where we are all part of the whole, and can acknowledge fully that we don’t even know the next step.   

Just as the South is the orientation of the philosopher and teacher, the West is the poet and artist; the North is the hunter and the warrior; and the East is the shaman and priest. All are part of the same energy, all pay tribute to Nature as the supreme force and celebration of all things, to honor Mother Earth and Father Sky and all within. Here the powers of the universe are directed through the Wakan Tanka, or Great Spirit, Great Mystery, Great Unending Circle of Life. Here we understand that we can make fun of everything, because we have transcended the great wheel of life and are no longer attached to our own sense of ego. We are truly part of everything. 

MARTI PHOTO.
Dalacina, Lakota horse relay champion, hoop dancer, Pine Ridge.