Medicine Wheel

Wolf & Medicine Wheel

You may know that the medicine wheel has 4 colors.  Before I talk about this, however; I want you to know that when referencing certain things I do not know the terminology enough to make accurate explainaitions - just saying.  I also have been greatly infuenced in my shield making/understanding by such authors as Hyemeyohsts Storm, as well as the Lakota & Hopi.  Hyemeyohsts explains that the different nations, tribes, bands, clans, individual can all have different colors on their medicine wheels to reflect certain meanings, visions and history.  

The Lakota I have learned from seem to use a common 4 colored medicine wheel.  The North direction is Red, the East is Yellow, the South is White, and the West is Black.  The Hopi have the same colors, but in a different pattern.  The North direction is White, the East is Yellow, the South is Red, and the West is I think Black or Blue.  So you see, when learning the Medicine Wheel, it can be looked at as vast library representing ourselves and the universe around us.  Other Lakota medicine wheels have different variations of color/direction.  There are wheels upon wheels within wheels.  

It makes me think of the I Ching and its many possibilities.

In the case of the Wolf, I am currently viewing the North direction and teachings.  Yet, just like other animal totems, their color can be red, white, black, or yellow.

If I have said anything that you view as misinformation or ignorance, please let me know!

Thanks!

Wolf Wupila (thanksgiving)

There is a ceremony of "Thanksgiving" of certain First Nations called Wupila.  When a person has a birthday or wants to celebrate an important event with thanksgiving they perform a Wupila.  Unlike "white American" culture, instead of expecting gifts from others on a personal celebratory event, the person of the celebration gives away gifts to all the participants.  The interesting karmic occurrence of such a ritual, is that by the end of a cycle when at one time or another each person performs a Wupila, all the participants end up receiving gifts.

My belief is that by our giving thanks and the gifts of the rights of survival and evolution to the different predator spirits that inhabit our environment, they in turn, at least on a cosmic level, give gifts of physical and spiritual evolution to us in turn.  Just as Mother Earth is constantly performing the ritual of Wupila and giving us her sacred gifts of wisdom, life, and beauty; should not we honour her with gifts of life and beauty as well?

The Wolf: Physical and Spiritual Evolutionary Predator

There is a theory, that in general, the male human feels they must be the top/dominant predator.  This leads to a conclusion that top predators should be exterminated in certain geographical areas.

The Turtle Island First Nations have traditional, and I believe personal beliefs, that top predators have a necassary and sacred role to fulfill in maintaining balance in the spiritual and physical evolution of life on this planet.

I would like to share with you an excerpt from the book "Yellow Wolf: His Own Story", by L.V. McWhorter:

"It was a Spirit of a wolf that appeared to me.  Yellow-like in color, it sort of floated in the air.  Like a human being it talked to me, and gave me its power.

... After I saw this wolf-thing, after I heard the Spirit-voice, I awoke and started for home.  When near to maybe quarter of mile home, I dropped down, supposed dead.  They had seen me, had watched for me.  It was good for the one finding me.

That was how I got named Yellow Wolf.  Named for that vision-wolf appearing to me.  It was yellow-colored, and gave me the power of the wolf."

Original Letter to the Editor

There are many misconceptions and false rumors being circulated about the gray wolves that were re-introduced to Idaho.  One misconception is that the wolves are a different sub-species than those that originally inhabited Idaho.  The truth is that the recently re-introduced gray wolf is one of at least three of the original sub-species that inhabited Idaho before being exterminated by humans.  Yes, they are slightly bigger than the smaller sub-species that was completely hunted to extinction, but roam here they did.  On average they are only 5 to 15 pounds larger than the extinct sub-species.  Another misconception is that they are crazed predators running rampant and killing livestock at every chance they get.  Dogs actually kill more livestock than wolves!  The truth is that less than 1% of livestock deaths are caused by wolves, and at least 90% of livestock killed by wolves are financially compensated for.

Did you know there are a variety of non-lethal ways to protect livestock from wolves?  In Montana, wolf advocates and ranchers have been working together to address the issues surrounding wolves and livestock with positive results. Evidence also shows that wolves have not had a negative impact on the Elk population, instead they kill the weaker and diseased elk causing the rest of the herd to remain healthy.  This does cause the elk to be more cautious and tend not to stay in one valley for too long.  This can explain why hunters are seeing fewer elk.  It is not that the elk have disappeared, it just means a person needs to improve their hunting skills.

Evidence shows that wolves actually play an important role in keeping a balanced and healthy ecosystem.  For more information, please visit the following website:  www.westernwolves.org - thank you.

Sacred Wolf Advocacy Group (Flier)



What kills more sheep than wolves? Pretty much EVERYTHING.

An invitation to help me launch a wolf advocacy group:

THE PERCEPTION that wolves are rampant livestock killers simply isn’t true. Weather, disease and other predators kill thousands more cattle and sheep. Wolves are responsible for less than one percent of livestock kills. That’s it. What’s more, livestock owners are compensated for wolf kills, unlike most other losses. Let’s resolve conflicts over wolves not aggravate them. Learn & share the facts.

SUPPORT SCIENCE-BASED WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 

To help, please contact Michael - sacredwolflodge@gmail.com 

Also, you may want to visit  westernwolves.org

Welcome!

Hello!  This blog will represent two paths, which are really the same path.  First, it is a path of advocacy and truth based on science and fact to help us better understand this keystone predator we call wolf.  Second, it is an invitation for the creation of a community healing circle to better understand the spiritual lessons and wisdom of these beautiful four-legged brothers and sisters.  This community is currently located in the McCall, Idaho area, yet we will also address wolf and predator issues of the Northern Rockies and beyond.  These creatures are currently caught in the middle of a political battle with their extermination being called for once again by people who understand the value of money over the value of our living planet and its vital ecosystems.  The wolves need our voices to ensure their survival. There are many misconceptions about the grey wolves re-introduced to the Northern Rockies, and intentional or not, many false claims have been made in order to put the lives of these creatures at risk for extermination.  I encourage you to investigate the truth of these rumors and misconceptions for yourself.  The website, www.westernwolves.org is a great place to start.

The spiritual journey is not required to be a wolf advocate, but as I was inspired to create this community through a dream I had, I have committed myself to offer a sacred space to learn more about the spiritual teachings that The Wolf Spirit has to offer.  As of right now there is no set agenda on how this will come about.  Just like growing from a pup to an adult, we must learn to navigate through the teachings and wisdom to create a strong community.  The wolf pack, as well as the "lone wolf", teaches us vital information about community and interdependance.  The Wolf is a wonderful teacher of Mother Earth wisdom, and is offering to teach us in it's own way how to connect with earth wisdom and indigenous teachings.  In this age of rampant pollution and corruption, remembering the connections we have with Mother Earth is important for our own physical and spiritual survival.

I hope that you will join me in rallying around these beautiful creatures, so that together we may learn the importance of living in balance with our surrounding ecosystems.

If you want to find out more about how to help with the advocacy group and/or the spiritual circle; or if you have questions about me, please feel free to ask!  sacredwolflodge@gmail.com