Required reading for this week is: Celtic Shaman, pages 33-44: The Way of the Shaman, pages 20-30, Visit the following site on MEDICINE WHEELS. This class shall cover sacred circles, holidays, and medicine wheels.
This weeks lesson will be about the circle or the medicine wheel. What you have read is the Celtic point of view on the circle now we will discuss the American Indian Version, the medicine wheel. As was stated in the first class all shamans share very basic elements that with slight differences. The circle/wheel is one of them. All pagans religions have made use of the circle since the beginning of time, Stonehenge is but one of many examples.
Those who walk the shaman path use the circle, the circle itself represents many things. The circle is humankind's greatest symbol of perfection and wholeness its shape itself speaks of unity and completion--ever flowing, life, death, and life again--never ending. It reminds us that there are no such thing as past or future, beginning or ending in the spirit realm, that in there all things are now.
The medicine wheel is a entrance way to the spirit world to other dimensions and times. It is where medicine power is raised because the circle is special and powerful. One note is that it is important all we do in there be positive. Taking in the law of cause and effect.
The wheel as it represents the constitution of the human.
The center is the soul through which the conscious entity expresses itself life after life through a physical body=west: through emotions=south: through the mind=north: and through the driving energy of the spirit=east. All of which characterizes the personality. So we are back to aspect of balance; the most balanced way to use our energies is to determine with the spirit, receive with the mind, give with emotions hold with the body.
It is actually very easy and simple to open a circle or create a medicine wheel. The more simple the ceremony the quicker you get to the healing. A circle or wheel is not an actual circle or at least it doesn't have to be. It is a space you create with your mind though it might also and can be a physical space. The problem I have with the use of a physical space it that it often contains your self expression and limits you.
The circle can be open with a staff, Athame, sword or your finger. OR JUST YOUR MIND. It always good to use a few words when you do this. Here is one I use it is simple and quick. As I said u could spend a lot of wasted time opening a circle, in the meantime the person you are working with isn't getting any better. Think about it!!
Remember this is one of many opening ceremonies, use whatever makes you comfortable.
And you are done with the opening. You close by facing each direction starting with the north going counter clockwise and giving thanks to the various spirit for their help.
Although this may seem very simplistic, it is in accordance with the cosmic law that all energy follows thought, if your intent is pure, you do not need to convince the spirits with as long drawn put ceremony. You can not impress them so who are you impressing?????? Discuss your own personal circle openings with the class.
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