Medicine wheels were used by many different tribes. They function mostly as a compass, anchor, and map, but in the spirit worlds rather than in the physical one. There can be many different uses for a medicine wheel, and it might be useful to examine what a medicine wheel looks like, noting that no two people will use a medicine wheel that looks the same. A medicine wheel should have a meaning for the one using it, and since this changes, the appearance of the wheel also is different. It should also be noted that there are two basic types; portable (or personal) and semi-permanent. In looks, they are similar, though the more permanent one is usually much larger and is meant to stay where it was created, while the portable one can be used whereever you are. For an interesting exercise that will teach much more about medicine wheels, try making your own, as I describe a typical, if somewhat basic, wheel.

This is purposely oversimplified, and remember that it may be a little different for different tribes. I'm trying to generalize for all tribes using a wheel.

In the center, and the first "piece" laid out, is the hub. This represents the soul or the inner spiritual being. It is also the place from which journeys begin. In my first medicine wheel, I used a fist sized piece of obsidian for the hub.

Around this and the same distance away are laid the points. These are the spots on the outer wheel that correspond to the four compass points as well as the midway point for those compass points. In other words North, Northeast, East, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest. Often the objects that are used for the points are related to the attributes of those points; Earth for north, Air or sun for East, Fire for South, and Water for West. So for instance, if you were using stones, coal would be north, sunstone or topaz would be east, bloodstone would be south, and quartz would be west. It is important to note that these should be the stones that YOU associate to those elementals, if you are the one making the wheel. There is no correct or incorrect stone to use. Some people might even use something besides stones, such as a glass of water for West, and a bowl of salt for North, a candle for South, and so forth. The importance is for the person making the wheel, not for anyone else.

The spokes, which radiate from the inner hub to the outer wheel are objects of power. Again, this varies with the individual, and can be literally anything that has power attached to it. There are many examples of objects of power; an example would be if you were walking along and you sort of found yourself drawn to a certain place where you found a curious object, a stone or interesting piece of wood or such. The fact that this object drew you to it shows that it is a power object. Notice that it will be YOUR power object...it probably won't have the same effect on someone else.

Very basically, you have just created a medicine wheel. Some wheels are much more elaborate, some remain very simple...neither is "better" than the other.

So what? What's the big deal about a medicine wheel, anyway? Okay, here is where you get to answer yourself. With your medicine wheel in place, try meditating. It is almost guaranteed that you will begin to get some inkling as to the importance of a medicine wheel and how to use it. Telling you TOO much would spoil part of the fun, because I've not known many people that went through this simple exercise that didn't have fun doing it! The more times you meditate with your circle, the more insights you will get about it (and yourself).

Have fun!

(If you want to share your experiences, please do! Everyone's experiences will be unique and worth sharing.)