posted October 24, 2007 04:54 PM         

Drawing and Interpretation by Judie Walker, MS, RN

The nine leadership dimensions developed in the Center for Nursing Leadership are depicted in this Native American medicine wheel. Its circular shape symbolizes the "Sacred Hoop," described by the Native Americans as the circle of all life. The symbols are placed within this circle – a form without end – creating a spirit of oneness, a sense of sacredness that comes from inside of us. It depicts the sense of oneness of spirit among the CNL community members within the context of the Dimensions and their lived experience. "Everything is part of the Sacred Hoop and everything is related. Our existence is so intertwined that our survival depends upon maintaining a balanced relationship with everything within the Sacred Hoop" (1).

Many of the symbols used here to depict the metaphors related to each of the Dimensions are taken from the type used in Navaho sand paintings. These figures represent elements in Navajo Chants or Ways used to restore balance and harmony to the universe (2).

At the top of the wheel is the Eagle guardian.
The Eagle is frequently used in sand paintings as a guardian, here it is used to guard and protect the medicine wheel. It symbolizes Dimension #2, Intellectual and Emotional Self: Sentient Life. The eagle, the most sacred of birds, encapsulates the Great Spirit. It represents spiritual power and freedom, understanding and spiritual wholeness – the human spirit soaring to that which is higher and lighter (3).

Proceeding clockwise, the next symbol is clouds and lightening depicting storms – the metaphor for Dimension #6, Appreciation of Ambiguity.
Storms can cause damage and destruction, the lightening being responsible for starting fires in the forest. This is a natural process by which nature regenerates itself, with new forest growth resulting. The relationship of Dimension #6, Appreciation of Ambiguity, to Dimension #3, Discovery of Potential: Fire, is depicted in the order of these elements – fire follows storms. While there is ambiguity in the midst of a storm, there is also ambiguity in dealing with the situations that arise from them such as forest fires. There is destruction of what was and at the same time creation of the conditions that foster new growth in the forest.

Following fire, there is a complex of mountains with a river flowing from them into the forest. This complex depicts Dimension #1, Holding the Truth: Mountains; #4 Quest for the Adventure Toward Knowing: Rivers; and #7 Knowing Something of Life: Forest. This is a scene often observed in nature: mountains, rivers and forests. If we are able to continually seek truth, we will then be able to embark on our expedition up the mountain. With truth seeking as our lifeline, we will be able to carry out the adventure of life long learning. When we have climbed up out of the trees so that we can see the forest as a whole, we are reminded that we need to rise above the individual trees (situations, etc.) in order to know more of life.

The next four symbols portray the four sacred plants as identified by the Navajo. They are from the bottom up: tobacco, used in many ceremonies, corn, squash and beans. The last three are sometimes referred to as the three Sacred Sisters in other Native American traditions. These signify the four seasons – planting and new growth in the spring, maturing during the summer and harvested in the fall. The ground lies dormant in the winter, resting and regenerating for the next planting season. The seasons are a metaphor for Dimension # 5, Diversity as a Vehicle to Wholeness. Diversity is inherent in the growing cycle, the status of the plants changing with each season, yet needing the entire cycle to create a favorable result.

The last symbol in the outside circle is the universe represented by the Milky Way and the moon, the metaphor for Dimension #8, Holding Multiple Perspective without Judgment. The Milky Way is known as the spiritual road. The universe contains and enfolds all that there is. It does not judge, it just lets things be as they are. It rests near the top of the circle to watch over the other elements, with the moon smiling as people progress on the path, integrating the dimensions into their way of being.

The final dimension, #9, Keeping Commitments to One’s Self: Regeneration is symbolized in the center of the medicine wheel.
The circle of four colors represents the four directions: North, South, East and West. Each direction bears its own significance and giving attention to what each has to offer allows us to create our own circle of regeneration. None is more important than the other. At times we must give more attention to one direction in our lives over others, but it is good to remember to get back into balance by attending to the elements in each direction.

North is the home of Father Sky and all the winged creatures. It is associated with winter – a time for incubation, gestation, and consolidation, a time for rest. North signifies making time for completion of what is unfinished, for reflection and contemplation. "When we are tested, it is important to embrace our challenges with the dignity, power and grace of the ‘winged ones’ (p.32) (4). "

South is the home of Mother Nature, the plant kingdom, the mineral kingdom and all the four legged creatures. It is associated with the season of spring. This direction on the medicine wheel is where native peoples call forward the necessary people, rituals, and ceremonies for healing work. It is the direction for the renewal, regeneration and maintenance of health. "South is the direction for remembering the healing power found in the universal kinds of love and carrying a balanced view of health (p 64) (4)."

East is the home of the rising sun and the Great Spirit and is known as the direction of enlightenment. It is associated with the season of summer – a place of abundance, fullness and prosperity. East is the place on the medicine wheel where the power of vision, dreams and spiritual guidance is called forward. "This direction reminds us to connect to the mystery of who we are, to actualize the fullness of our life dream and to give voice to what we see (p93) (4)."

West is the home of Grandmother Ocean and all the creatures of the sea. The ocean is the primary nature example of flexibility and resilience. On the medicine wheel, West is the direction where the power of silence, wisdom and ancestral guidance is called forward. It is associated with the season of fall – the place of harvesting as well as letting go. The two elements together signify abundant harvest and unlimited fluidity. "This direction reminds us that wisdom, like Grandmother Ocean is always flexible and seldom rigid (p119) (4)."

The blue and red bars on the internal structure of the medicine wheel are known as rainbow bars and used to increase the strength and holiness of the wheel.

Focusing attention in each direction regularly is way to remember to seek balance and harmony in our lives in order to achieve on going regeneration. It also reminds us of the importance of not only keeping commitments to ourselves, but also to all our "relatives" – the elements of nature and all the animals, in order to promote regeneration in our world.

http://www.cnl.org/dimensions_medwheel.htm