Healing Power of the Circle
The Universal Circle, a symbol of balance and harmony, is included in every aspect of the Native American way of life. In many Native American traditions, to “offer prayers” means calling out to the four winds for their sacred powers, since the four winds offer lessons from the four directions that make up the Universal Circle.
The Circle
Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.
The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were.
The life of man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
Our teepees were round like the nests of birds, and they were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children.
Black Elk, Oglala Sioux, 1863 - 1950
Healing Power of the Circle
The Circle has healing power. In the Circle we are all equal. When in the Circle, no one is in front of you and no one is behind you. No one is above you. No one is below you. The Sacred Circle is designed to create unity.
The Hoop of Life is also a circle. On this hoop there is a place for every species, every race, every tree, and every plant.
It is this completeness of Life that must be respected in order to bring about health on this planet.
To understand each other, as the ripples when a stone is tossed into the waters, the Circle starts small and grows...until it fills the whole lake.
Dave Chief, Oglala Lakota,
Grandson of Red Dog of Crazy Horse's Band
In the Native American tradition of the medicine wheel, the Sacred Directions of East, South, West and North are recognized. Each direction is connected with the Sacred Elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The sacred directions and elements also provide powers and lessons for the path attributes they are associated with.
EAST
| Element: |
Air |
| Represents: |
Air Elements, Vibrations, Scents, Wind, Sky, Clouds |
| Season: |
Spring |
| Time: |
Dawn |
| Color: |
Yellow |
| Angel: |
Raphael |
| Totems: |
Wolf, Hawk, Eagle, Deer, Raccoon, Cardinals |
| Power: |
Mind, Intellect, Breath, Music |
| Lessons: |
Rebirth, Renewal, Clarity, Transition, Movement, Expansion |
| Thought: |
"The mind is awareness, perception, focus and illumination" |
SOUTH
| Element: |
Fire |
| Represents: |
Fire Elements, Sun, Transmutation, Passion, Relation |
| Season: |
Summer |
| Time: |
Noon |
| Color: |
Red |
| Angel: |
Michael |
| Totems: |
Hawk, Badger, Coyote, Fox |
| Lessons: |
Purification, Healing, Abundance, Protection, Change, |
| Thought: |
"In innocence, faith, strength and protection I am" |
WEST
| Element: |
Water |
| Represents: |
Water Elements, Moon, Feelings, Emotions |
| Season: |
Fall |
| Time: |
Dusk |
| Color: |
Blue |
| Angel: |
Gabriel |
| Totems: |
Bear, Raven, Elk, Jaguar, Heron |
| Lessons: |
Cleansing, Letting Go, Purification, Reflection, Balance |
| Thought: |
"Inner knowing, feelings, healing and light are all part of me" |
NORTH
| Element: |
Earth |
| Represents: |
Earth Elements, Foundations, Grounding |
| Season: |
Winter |
| Time: |
Midnight |
| Color: |
White |
| Angel: |
Ariel |
| Totems: |
Buffalo, Wolf, Owl, Heron, Dragon and Mythical Beasts |
| Lessons: |
Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Completion of cycles |
| Thought: |
"Through patience & ceremony I seek knowledge & wisdom “The Four |
Cherokee Four Sacred Directions in the Universal Circle of Life
Each represents a specific color, direction, attribute of learning focus, and path to follow.
This clockwise circle represents the spiral of life, with the directional energy that influences it. The Center is for the Creator, and the Four Directions of the Universal Circle. The Four Directions provide guidance in understanding our behaviors and directions. The Directions provide us balance and we must find the harmony in relationship to all that exists in our environment.
The Four Directions also connect us with the spirit of the animals and birds as our brothers and sisters in the Universal Circle. In traditional teachings, the circle represents an omni-present energy that exists in the universe - which is, the never-ending Circle of Life.
| EAST |
Color – Red |
Direction - Spiritual |
Path of Sun |
| SOUTH |
Color - White |
Direction - Natural |
Path of Peace |
| WEST |
Color - Black |
Direction – Physical |
Path of Introspect |
| NORTH |
Color - Blue |
Direction - Mental |
Path of Quiet |
Some spas are incorporating these into treatments such as the Four Directions Body Treatment at the Sagestone Spa at Red Mountain.
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