Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

The Medicine Wheel is both an important conceptual scheme and a major ceremo-

nial observance. The Sacred Hoop makes up the circumference with the interior of

the circle being divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant represents a direction, a

totem, an element, a color, a kingdom, a quality, a season, and a gateway to the

individual. The four colors—white, black, yellow, and red—represent the races of all

humanity. See Figure 5.1 for an illustration of the Medicine Wheel.

72 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

NORTH

totem—buffalo

element—air

color—white

kingdom—animal

quality—knowledge/wisdom

season—winter

gateway—to mind

SOUTH

totem—mouse

element—water

color—red

kingdom—plant

quality—trust, innocence

season—summer

gateway—to emotions

EAST

totem—eagle

element—fire

color—yellow

kingdom—human

quality—illumination

enlightenment

season—spring

gateway—to spirit

WEST

totem—grizzly bear

element—earth

color—black

kingdom—mineral

quality—introspection,

intuition, change

season—autumn

gateway—to body

FIGURE 5.1

The Medicine

Wheel: center of

Native American

healing.

The Number Four

The number four is significant to Native American people and is incorporated into

their daily lives through prayers, ceremonies, and activities. It is believed to be the

number of completeness. Everything that grows from the earth consists of four parts:

roots, stems, leaves, and fruit. Earth, air, fire, and water are the four elements. Four

types of things take breath: those that crawl, those that fly, those that walk on four

legs, and those that walk on two legs. There are four directions, four seasons, and

four races of people—white, black, yellow, and red.