Basic Four Directions Teaching

In this post, I am going to explain a bit about the medicine wheel. The number four is a very sacred number in the Ojibwe culture. It represents the four seasons; spring, summer, autumn, winter. It represents the four directions; East, South, West, North. It also represents the four main medicines; tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass.

                We are taught that life starts from the East, and beginning the cycle of life is childhood. The season associated with the eastern direction is spring, the season of life and renewal. The gift of life is honoured with tobacco. We pray with tobacco, give thanks, and often burn it or lay it on the ground beside a tree.

                The next stage of the cycle of life is adolescent hood. The season associated with the southern direction is summer, when life is thriving and at its peak, although growth still occurs. Cedar is the medicine for this direction. When your mind is caught up in the daily routine of life in this society, you often forget to take care of your mind and spirit. Cedar is ingested through teas; it is a cleansing medicine.

                The West is associated with the adult stage of life. The sun sets in the West and this is where life has run its course and begins to return to the Creator. When we burn and smudge with sage; we clear our minds and hearts. The teachings of acceptance, change and healing are very important in this stage.

                The North is known as the resting stage, in between death and rebirth, a place of wisdom and a time for reflection. Elders are honoured in this stage. Sweetgrass is the medicine for this direction as it attracts positive energy.

                This was a very basic explanation, but I hope it was found useful and interesting!

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