Welcome!

You are about to embark on a path of growth, gratitude, and reciprocity. You will soon be stepping into an energy matrix that is very powerful, even so, we will be there to support you every step of the way so you will be prepared and not get overwhelmed.

As you begin this journey, you may find yourself met with a large amount of material. Just know that each of us is at different levels of experience with the Wheel. For some, the concepts may seem very basic, but for others, it may be the first introduction.

Whatever your level of experience, understanding everything right away is not necessary. The essence of this work is to stimulate the development of awareness and the growth of the potential within you. You are not meant to mentally comprehend it all, as some of the material works on the unconscious levels of being.

Please remember that this work is your gift to yourself.

We will begin by having you read the Invocation Blessing Song (out loud if you are comfortable) in order to open a sacred container for your study:

The Medicine Wheel

Remnants of stone Medicine Wheels can be found scattered all over Turtle Island. These ancient structures embody significant cosmological alignments that have been woven into indigenous stories passed down for countless generations.

To earth-connected  people who practice the Old Ways, the Medicine Wheel is a physical manifestation of spiritual energy, and a sacred dialogue with the Creator and the Spirit within are portrayed in the Wheel. Keep in mind that when indigenous people use the word “medicine,” they are not speaking of herbal remedies or pharmaceuticals; rather they are using the word to describe a type of power being brought to the healing ceremony—a type of spiritual energy.

This medicine can come through plants, animals, or people; either way, its source is always Spirit. Medicine comes to people in the way that best suits their growth, so it is truly an individual experience of being nourished through a sacred connection with Great Mystery, or Wakan Tanka.

Like a sacred mirror, a Medicine Wheel reflects everything back to us. A person must be brave to look into it, because it shows us the truth. When we embark on Wheel work, we must be able to face ourselves and learn what our reflections are teaching us so we can see what we need to improve on. In this way, working with the Wheel bolsters our vision and gives us better perspective, so we know right where we are on our path.

As the Lakota would say, “Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ”—All are related, or All my relations. This is the message of the Sacred Wheel.

The Give-Away

The Elders teach that wisdom comes at a price, and there is a cost to this journey. You are being asked to give something up, to let go of something; just what that something is you must answer for yourself.

The laws of Nature are such that we must give in exchange for what we receive. This reciprocity is the spirit of the Native American Give-away. In practical terms, this means that you take no more than you need and give back in return for what you take. In the Wheel perspective, the issue is balance: the more you give away, the more you can receive.

The journey to your sacred, essential Self can feel threatening to the ego self. The fear and insecurity of facing truth often causes us to become rigid and defensive. But fear is nothing more than apprehension of the unknown. We find the courage to step beyond fear from inner balance; when we are standing in our sacred Center, we feel a connectedness with something beyond ourselves.

The key to receiving the blessings of this path is approaching it with humility and openness—an empty bowl ready to be filled.

The Journey

Now that you have read the teachings, it is time to embody and integrate these teachings through a 10-minute facilitator-guided shamanic journey. In this journey you will be guided into the center of a Sacred Medicine Wheel where you will be invited and supported to give away something you no longer need and to receive something new.

How to Prepare:

• Find a comfortable, quiet space where you will not be disturbed for the next 20 minutes. Turn off phone notifications and close any extra browser tabs.

• Have your journal or notebook and a pen ready for reflection following the journey.

• Consider wearing a headset or earbuds if you have them to support making it easier to hear the guide and shut out external noise.

After the audio finishes, give yourself time to assimilate what you have experienced. Open a dedicated notebook or journal and write out your raw, honest responses to these two questions:

1. What physical sensations or feelings came up for you during the experience?

2. What was the most striking feature, image, or word that stood out for you?

3. What positive energy and affirmation filled your and supports your healing transformation?

Record as many details as possible. Do not worry if you cannot understand all the information right away; its true meaning may unfold over days, weeks, or even years.