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May/June 2008 Spirituality
Medicine Wheel: Building a Sacred Circle of Life

by Marci Van Ausdall

Most of us have heard or read about medicine wheels. We know that they are sacred spaces and that the circle is symbolic of the sacred circle of life. But there is much more to the medicine wheel when you create your own circle and experience its healing energy.

The medicine wheel creates a vortex of intense energy and healing. It is a place to strengthen your connection with Mother Earth and to acquire wisdom for your soul. I learned this when I first experienced the power and magic of the medicine wheel at an energy healing class held by Debra Peterson, a shamanic practitioner and owner of Alternative Health Therapy in Spokane.

I was immediately drawn to the medicine wheel in her yard and felt absolutely at home in its presence. I felt a great peace come over me and a great energy surround me. Debra explained that the medicine wheel is used for prayer, meditation, spiritual guidance and healing. It is used to connect with Mother Earth, power animals and the creator. The four directions have special meanings and their associated spirit keepers can be called upon.

Since that day I have wanted a medicine wheel on our land and Debra graciously agreed to help build one here. The chosen day was gorgeous, with the colors of autumn and the sweet smell of wood smoke in the air. I had been drawn to one spot on our property. I knew this was where the wheel should be and saw it clearly, but wanted Debra walk the land before showing her this place. Without hesitation, Debra went directly to that same spot, feeling a vortex drawing her to it.

Debra began by mathematically configuring the wheel to true north. We decided on a 12-foot wheel. I had many options for the size and design of the wheel but knew instinctively which design needed to be here. Because we were putting an angel gate below the wheel, there were many precise measurements to be taken. Debra needed 17 long nails to mark out the wheel. My husband had just a handful and gave us what he had. Amazingly, there were exactly 17.

For the angel gate underneath the medicine wheel, we needed crystals. This was something I understood. I work with crystals in my healing work with animals and have them around me everywhere.

In 2002, spiritual guidance directed Debra to merge the medicine wheel with the angelic gate vortex. According to Debra, the merging of these powerful systems brings in healing energies and raises the spiritual vibration of our planet. An angel gate is an energetic portal for receiving healing and angelic communication. It is based upon a two dimensional star octahedron pattern, which is made up of eight gemstones that create a vortex of energy.

The eight different crystals are buried beneath the soil to form the gate. We used violet calcite (north), carnelian (northeast), blue azurite (east), Madagascar ruby (southeast), green fluorite (south), amethyst (southwest), blue aventurine (west) and yellow topaz (northwest).

The energy built in intensity as we were burying the crystals and continued to increase. As we worked together building the wheel, the animals on the farm were getting more and more excited. You could actually feel the energy shift. The donkeys were rearing up and playing, the dogs were boisterous and even the cats came close to watch. As we completed the angel gate a huge surge of energy came down from the sky and through me.

Our group of nine friends has been connected with one another for quite some time and most of us are very close. There was a lot of love and joy in the air as we entered the mysterious other-world of the medicine wheel together. We burned sage and everyone was smudged, setting our intent and clearing any negative energies.

We invited the spirits to join us as my husband laid the first rock, the center rock. Each person then chose a rock that they were attracted to and brought it to me. As the new gatekeeper and steward of the land, I smudged each stone with sage and thanked it by offering a gift of tobacco before the person holding it placed it where they felt it should be.

I stood with Debra in each direction as she drummed and invoked each corresponding animal. I took in all that Debra so generously shared with me, this powerful, ancient ritual for which I have waited my whole life. In just a few hours I was a changed woman. I felt the power I had been handed by Debra. By allowing me to be such an integral part of the ceremony, Debra has fully empowered me as gatekeeper and caretaker. I will honor and cherish this responsibility always.

When the ceremony was complete, I closed the circle, thanking the spirits and the animals. We all walked back down the hill, deeply connected by our shared experience with the creation of this beautiful and powerful medicine wheel.

After most everyone had gone home, Debra and I and one of my dear friends went back up to the wheel and opened it, each of us speaking from deep within our hearts to the four directions. The honest emotions expressing our gratitude poured from deep within us, three friends who care deeply for one another and for our beloved Mother Earth, three female energies praying for peace, light and love.

Marci Van Ausdall is a Reiki master who incorporates crystals and flower essences in her energy work with animals. Marci and her husband David run Lavender Dreams Farm & Donkey Rescue, growing and selling organic lavender in NE Washington. To visit their farm July through September, email Lavender.Dreams.Farm@gmail.com. For more information on medicine wheel classes with Debra Peterson, visit www.alternativehealththerapy.com.

The four directions of the medicine wheel have spirit keepers that can be called upon for personal help and protection.

• North: white buffalo (fire)
• West: bear (rock)
• South: coyote (water)
• East: eagle (feather)