The Sacred Wheel
Panther Woman Jeanne Schutze, B.A., Community Health Education
Symbolism is very important in shamanistic work. A symbol can represent anything when one blows the life force into it. These symbols take us beyond language limitations. The development of a shaman language allows us to transcend to the truth within ourselves. Altars, shields, masks, dolls and sandpaintings can represent the explorable aspects of our emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual natures.
We come onto this earthwalk, like a piece of smashed mirror. Each piece is part of a giant puzzle, each piece reflecting the light of the Great Spirit. We spend our lifetime fitting these pieces together until we have a finished mirror, a totality of being. (Agnes Whistling Elk)
The basis of a shamaness' work is the Sacred Wheel. One places a stone in the South and moves clockwise, putting stones in the remaining three Directions: West, North and East. One blesses each direction with sweetgrass and sage or cedar, and says a prayer of protection (each has his/her own). Then one enters and sits in the Center facing South, closing the east door with tobacco and cornmeal. Finally, the individual moves physically around the Sacred Wheel calling upon the powers of each Direction, closing the eyes each time and feeling the Shaman Center:
Oh, Powers of the South, place of the conjurer whose symbols are the tarot and astrology place of the child within all of us. It is the place of seeing what is in our mist and of my animal spirit helper who blows from the South like a hot wind. Oh powers of the South, colors of red or green, I ask that you come in and share your fluid motion as water tumbling in, over and around us.
Oh, Powers of the West, place of death, rebirth and transformation. It is the place of my animal spirit helper who has lived since times' beginning. It is the place of the sacred dream and those who are its dreamers. Home of looking inward to address those issues that hold us back. Whose color is blue and, too, the dying sun at the end of the day place of the woman in all of us. Oh powers of the West, I ask that you come in and be with us now.
Oh, Powers of the North, place where the cold-maker comes from. Place of strength, endurance and the Adult Self. Place of those who survive winter storms. It is the place of the Seer who heals the mind and heart and its color is lavender. Place of work that is for our highest good and of my animal spirit helper who lives in the arctic north and journeys to far lands. Oh powers of the North, I ask that you come in and be with us.
Oh, Powers of the East, whose color is yellow, like the sun. The birthplace of each new day. Place of the energy dancer who dances the Shaman Dance of Power and Goddess Dreaming. Place of the Heyoka who tests our beliefs to see if they are true. Oh powers of the East, come in and give us fruitful insights to the challenges we face daily.
The Sacred Wheel is now consecrated and ready for shamanic work.
There are many variations of addresses for the Four Directions, since it is such a personal thing. Feel free to explore and discover your own. Remember that the journey of discovery is forever.
May the good powers in the world
shine the light of day and night on all of us. | 
