May: Overland Park Arboretum

Metaphor of the Medicine Wheel

One of the Southern Cheyenne child's first lessons is that when we are born we are given a beginning place on the Medicine Wheel within the four directions. Wheel represents the cycle of life from birth to growth through decline and finally death; closely mirroring the seasonal changes. The lesson is to strive for completeness of spirit and balance with nature by seeking the wisdom of all directions and an understanding of ourselves. Unless a person sees life from all four directions, they are incomplete. Truth is represented at the center of the Wheel. The Cheyenne perceive all things in this circular pattern. The Wheel is a full circle and thus there is not an end but rather the way to a new beginning. As winter gives birth to sprint, so do the elders travel on to the spirit world to continue to guide and teach others who will follow after them. The cycle continues.

Jazz I

Created by Tom Corbin