Medicine Wheel Garden

Medicine Wheel Garden. . , A medicine wheel is an ancient symbol respected by Native American people of North and South America to teach the interconnectedness of life. In the Native American tradition, a medicine wheel is a circle divided into four sections, each representing one of the four cardinal directions, east, south, west, and north. Each direction offers a different perspective, philosophy, or teaching about life., A medicine wheel garden is a physical way to show a medicine wheel. A circle is created and sections corresponding to the directions are laid out using stones. A larger stone is placed in the middle to represent the creator. In this garden each of the sections is planted with the sacred medicinal herb of the Anishinaabe that symbolizes that direction., The medicine wheel garden you see here represents the teachings of the Anishinaabe or first people of the Great Lakes Bay area., The idea of Medicine in many past cultures was understood as an interrelated process of physical and spiritual well-being and not the pharmaceutical remedies we think of today as medicine. It was a way to be in harmony with the energy of nature and to be aware of the personal power within ourselves, a way to become more whole and complete. Original peoples also realized that life is circular in nature and has cycles (for example the seasons, sun and moon phases and birth and death), therefore the use of the circle as a sacred symbol and the medicinal (spiritual) properties it represents., Traditionally when Anishinaabe take something from the Earth such as the sacred medicines it is done with respect and the knowledge that the Earth is generously sharing itself., The four sacred medicinal herbs of the Anishinaabe are planted in this traditional garden: tobacco (Sema) is planted in the east, cedar (Giizhik) in the south, sage (Muskodewisk) in the west and sweetgrass (Wiingush) in the north., The South is represented by the sacred herb Giizhik, or Cedar. The leaves are cleaned from the stems and separated into small pieces that are used in many ways. Giizhik is used in prayer and burned for smudging. When burned, Giizhik acts as a purifier, cleansing the area in which it is burned and emitting a pleasant scent. Traditionally, many Anishinaabe carry cedar with them to help keep the goodness in., The East is represented by the sacred plant Sema, or tobacco. Sema is used by the Anishinaabe in thanks and for offering prayer to the creator and acts as a medium for communication. It is either offered to the fire so the smoke can lift the prayers to the Creator, or it is set on the ground in a clean place. Traditionally this is done on a daily basis as each new day is greeted with prayers of thankfulness. The Elders say to hold it in your left hand during prayers of thankfulness. Also, it is always respectful to offer Sema when seeking knowledge or advice from an Elder or when a Pipe is present., The Western direction is represented by Muskodewisk, or Sage. Sage is used in much the same way the Giizhik is used. Traditionally it is used as a smudge to spiritually cleanse an area prior to an event; it helps to remove the bad feelings and to increase a positive frame of mind., The Northern direction is represented by Wiingush or Sweetgrass. It is known for its beautifully sweet, aromatic scent which is enhanced when it rains or is burned. Sweetgrass is a purifier and is used to smudge our head and bring positive thoughts to mind. It is used so our eyes, ears, and mouth see, hear and say only good things., We plant this teaching garden with respect for the wisdom and teachings of the Anishinaabe. The Indian Education Program Bay City Public Schools. To learn more about the Medicine Wheel visit the Trails Through Time Gallery inside the Museum.