To Native American peoples, the Medicine Wheel is a deeply spiritual teaching tool which is referred to as The Circle of Life or The Sacred Hoop. The circle itself represents all life, the cycles which repeat continuously, with no ending. It is symbolic of Harmony and Balance with all Creation and the interactions thereof.

In southern Canada, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana, ancient and massive stone structures of Medicine Wheels can be found. These were constructed by using rocks to form the circle and the spokes within the circle. In the center either a smaller circle was made or a cairn was set. The center represents the center of the Universe, or Creator/Great Spirit. The spokes represent other mysterious symbolic signs unique to the tribe that constructed the wheel.

Each wheel has unique characteristics known only to the ones who built and used the wheel for whatever purposes. The significance of each wheel is not known to modern day man, and, if known to the Native American peoples who still use them, that purpose is not made public. It is only known that they are profoundly spiritual in nature.

It is easy to make a simple Medicine Wheel of your own, with your own spiritual symbolism. A simple one can be a circle enclosing a cross. The colors white, yellow, red and black represent all races, the Sacred Four Directions and the elements of Mother Earth (air, water, fire, earth).

As noted above, the design or purpose of a Medicine Wheel is unique to each tribe or person. Following is my version for designing my own Medicine Wheel.

PENDANT OR PIN MEDICINE WHEEL

I bought some simple, unadorned silver bracelets. This makes the task so easy. Simply divide the bracelet into equal fourths with beading wire which has been strung with beads; white from the center to North, yellow from center to East, red, from center to South, and black from center to West with one turquoise bead in the center. The turquoise bead represents the center of the Universe, which is Great Spirit. Secure the wire tightly at each point so you will have a cross.

Now you can begin to wrap the bracelet with cotton crochet thread. From North to East, wrap the bracelet in white. From East to South, wrap the bracelet in yellow. From South to West, wrap the bracelet in red. From West to North, wrap the bracelet in black. Make sure you tuck in the ends by holding a short length out and wrapping that beneath your next few wraps. Overlap each color a little in order to hide the end of the last color. Use a small dot of tacky glue if necessary to secure any stubborn ends.

If you like, you can add small feathers to hang from the bottom of the wheel, or make three beaded eagle feathers using a Comanche or Apache weave, commonly known as the brick stitch. Two great books to find directions in for this are Native American Beadwork, by Theresa Flores Geary, or Beading In The Native American Tradition, by David Dean. These two books I have found to be invaluable in my personal library.


When finished wrapping, attach a split ring to the top (North) of the circle and attach this to a chain. For a pin, glue a pin-back or tie-tack to the back on top.

This pendant or pin will be your very own Medicine Wheel with your personal symbolic meaning. Any time I make something like this, I weave prayers into the item with each bead or wrap, so it becomes a very personal and meaningful item for me.

Walking the Circle of Life is a very personal and enlightening path for each individual. We must each follow our own hearts to find our own truths.
*******


For your convenience:
,