Linda Diane Taylor - Professional Artist

The Way of the Medicine Wheel

My teachings on the Medicine Wheel came from a collection of teaching.  Some from community elders like Phil L'hirondelle, Alden Pompana, Doris Dolan, and Leah Patrick and from Four Worlds International. Some from my father and other ancestors.  Some from elders and the children in the many communities I traveled.  Some of the teachings came from my experiences and my visions.  Much came from watching nature.  
 
In the beginning Grandmother taught me, I choose to follow this route.   I was not chosen but I was watched.   She explained to me it would not be an easy path, and some would attempt to lead me off the path.  There could never be any personal rewards but all that I needed would be provided.  It is a path of dedication to All My Relations, and that I had to make a pledge to be of service.  It is a path of much silence. 

I learned I did not have to go out and search for the teachings.  When I was ready the teaching would come to me. 

I learned to pay attention and be discerning.

I learned there would be times that I would leave the path to learn new things.     

There came a time when my own darkness engulfed me and I would be stopped on the path.

Then there came a time when all was forgiven and loved.

When you look for the history of the Medicine Wheel, it is not a traditional native way, it came from groups like Four Winds Society and people like Jamie Sams and Sun Bear etc.   I do respect indigenous ways and realize the Medicine Wheel Teachings is considered "Plastic" and made up but the reality is .. It is an excellent tool for inner exploration and reflection. 

And as Leah Patrick, an old gal who knew all about BC plant medicines,  once told me .. "if us INDY-GENIUS (her word) were so smart we would not be in the mess we are in now".