Medicine Wheel Ceremony Protocol

“Then I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being.”

“And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was HOLY!"

The Medicine Wheel is an ancient symbol used by almost all the Native people of North and South America. There are many different ways this basic concept is expressed: the four grandfathers, the four winds, the four cardinal directions, and many other relationships that can be expressed in sets of four. Just like a mirror can be used to see things not normally visible (behind us or around a corner), the medicine wheel can be used to help us see or understand things we can’t quite see or understand because they are ideas and not physical objects.

The medicine wheel teaches us that we have four aspects to our nature: the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual. Each of these aspects must be equally developed in a healthy, well-balanced human being through the development and use of volition and shear human will.

The old ones taught me that these powerful tools could be used in a good way to reflect as a mirror does the Universal Door to Truth and Understanding, and in today’s world the most needed is BALANCE.

May I share with you a teaching from the Old Ones as you prepare for this Day of prayer for the Human family and Mother Earth, especially the sacred Waters and Peace?

Maybe you are not able to come to the ceremony and you want to do something in your own home, village, town or local sacred mountain or spring. I pray that you remember the teaching of never leaving a door open - you do not know how or when to close.

If we leave our doors open all the time, think about it. What would happen in the winter -- snow in your shoes, on your bed, or, in the summer -- the heat of the summer could be sweltering. Who would be invited to your open door? Could it be someone with your best interest or even with intent to harm you?

When we open a door, such as a “Medicine Wheel”, we must be mindful that the spirits are of our pure intentions; they are gifted and hosted with corn meal or tobacco in some parts of the world. Then, after the ceremony, give thanks and close the door behind you so mischief will not change your intentions of Universal Balance and Peace.

Think of our Brothers from Tibet, they often make Mandela’s and often they take many days, even months, to accomplish. And after the ceremony the prayers and divine message and Mirror to the Universe is destroyed and returned to Mother Earth as the Reflection is already in the other worlds.

We live in the world of temporality and so it must be destroyed so the intention will not be misused or become stagnant.

So when you do the Drumming Circles, and I have been given a spirit vision many will try to make “medicine wheels” in your homes or community; so I send a cry that if you do so, do not forget to give thanks; do not forget when you leave the sacred spot, dismantle the circle.

If you do not know how to open and close the door -- this is not for everyone to know -- but be honest about it and hold your circle, give thanks, Drum at these times, share your hearts, prayers and feelings and healings. Let us help the best we can all over the world all peoples of the world. Let us help this vision of all the peoples being the Human Family together in one thought and one prayer for peace.

In all my traveling, I so often come across situations where people only know how to sing the chants -- they read a book, saw a movie or even a ceremony and then set out the sign saying come, I know, not understanding what they mean or how to get out of the situation they created. Even with the best intentions, they get sick or have to call on someone to help them out because of harm caused to others.

I know this ceremony is about Healing and Balance, so let it begin with each and every one of us, in a good way. Give thanks before, Give thanks after, and do not hang on. Mother Earth will be here for us to pray another day, and with another wheel, with proper prayers and intention, all is possible. Or possibly the same ones that have guardians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this is what the elders have taught.

Blessings and Balance, from Balance All Blessings Flow,

In Peace, dee see mana,
Katherine Cheshire

Honorable Beings of Mother Earth,

The traditional methods of teaching come from an oral tradition. They have been whispered, spoken, chanted, drummed and danced fro hundreds of thousands of years, and they are imbued with the mystery of starlight, firelight, dawn light. It is now that these sacred teachings are to be passed to all so that they may kindle within our heart a great joy in the gift of life; in having friends, family, co-workers, a community to live and learn with; and in the opportunity to renew in this time the Sacred Hoop of life on this planet. So recognize these words as a carrier wave for wisdom’s pure light.

Their intention is to strengthen individual’s relationships with their families, communities, nations and the land, the Earth herself. I invite people to be in good fellowship and to respect the teachings of their family of origin. Thus may we all cooperate in manifesting a vision of peace.

These words themselves, or the symbols that make up the words, they are a small part of the interaction of the reader and creations. Life and death, manifestation and formlessness, are all within the circle, which spirals out through all dimensions. And so patterns of the past echo in the present and resound through the future. Our timekeeping systems reflect the spiral as interlocking wheels of energy and consciousness ever in majestic motion together. During these cycles of time certain teachers continue to manifest in Americas to express the same essence, the same wisdom and they come at appropriate times to remind the people of harmony.

According to the ancient teachings and calendar, a great darkness would fall upon the peoples with the end of the cycle of worlds called the thirteen heavens. Over five hundred years age (1531) a Council of Elders of the Red Nations of North, South and Central American was called to ensure the survival of the sacred teachings through the coming age of darkness. At that time the teachings were hidden within the home fires, in secret societies within family lines, to sustain the people through the times to come. On April 21, 1519 Cortes landed in Mexico and his coming wrought great destruction upon the land and the people that has lasted for close to 500 years. Yet the wisdom has survived within the home fireplaces, awaiting a time when the people would be of one heart, awaiting sturdy vessels to carry the fire out.

Thus for hundreds of years the sacred teachings have been kept hidden. In the late 1960’s and early 70’s different Elders of different tribes and bands decided that the time had come to share some of these sacred teachings with all those of good heart who were dedicated to manifesting peace.

Within these teachings are particular methods of training used in the ancient priest craft, entailing steps of development and example: teachings suitable for all people morals, manners and ethics. Practices for purifying ignorance and obscuration, for clarifying mind, for pacifying afflicting emotions, illusions and suffering for magnetizing the good and for actualizing the vision of peace and harmony held as a sacred ember within the heart of every being. These sacred teachings call upon one to become the best human being one can possible be to fulfill ones’ unmanifest potential for the good of all beings.

In 873 B.C., as people began to forget some to their wise teachings, there came a teacher known as the Pale One to rekindle the sacred fires and reaffirm the basic principles of creation, that the temples might ever resound with the light of clear mind and the people live in harmony with Earth and one another. When the people had forgotten their original instructions, neglected their spiritual duties, and become war like, the Pale One came to rekindle the sacred wisdom fire. Born in a miraculous manner, his body emitted great light. He re-established the building of temples and schools, reformed the priest craft training, and gave methods for cultivating and maintaining peace within individual, family, clan, nation and planet. He rekindled the hold fire and renewed the original instructions encoded within all beings to act as one with the sacred law and bring all thoughts and actions to harmonious resolution.

The Pale One established the lineage of these teachings 2877 years ago. Since then there have been twenty-eight generations who have been entrusted to maintain these teachings, to ensure methods of stabilizing the mind in times of confusion. By invitation into particular spiritual societies according to ones clan and particular lineages loving within those clans these precious teachings have been brought forward to this time. Let us remember to remember these most precious sacred instructions for our actions in this time. With our thoughts, our words and our actions may we build a world of peace and walk in beauty and be one with creation.

The Pale One left many prophecies and wonderous teachings. Let us remember that the practice of sacred relationship is practice of good relations with all in the family of life. Thus Pale One gave seven reminders to the people, that all might recall and honor the unity of the hoop:

What walks, swims, flies or creeps is in relationship; the mountains, streams and valleys and all things are related to your thought and action.
What occurs around you and within you reflects your own mind and shows you the dream you are weaving.
Three principles of awakened mind guide enlightened action: will to see the mystery as it is; intention to manifest one’s purpose for the benefit of all; courage to do what must be done.
Generosity of heart and action brings peace and abundance to all in the circle.
Respect for elders, clan, land and nation inspires acts in harmony with the sacred law, good care taking of the gifts received.
Action to benefit the land and the people unto seven generations shapes the consciousness of the Planetary Caretaker, dreaming those yet unborn, ever mindful of life’s unfolding.
To be in good relation, transforming patterns of separation, pacifying conflicting emotions, is to experience the wisdom within, still lake of Mystery.
Arising from these teachings are the nine precepts in the Code of Right Relationship:

1. Speak only words of truth.
2. Speak only of the good qualities of others.
3. Be a confidant and carry not tales.
4. Turn aside the veil of anger to release the beauty inherent in all.
5. Waste not the bounty, and want not.
6. Honor the light in all; Compare nothing; see all for its suchness.
7. Respect all life; cut away ignorance from one’s own heart.
8. Neither kill nor harbor thoughts of angry nature, which destroy peace like an arrow.
9. Do it now; if you see what needs doing, do it.

The opportunity of life is very precious and moves very quickly. May these words inspire action in relieving the suffering of the peoples of the World. May all beings realize freedom from suffering and all conflicting thoughts reach resolution, that the great Fire of Wisdom may burn in our hearts and shine forth in all we do, as enlightened action benefiting all our relations.

Dane Larsen, Tsalagi, Anigotegewi Clan
Elder on Council, Ywahoo Lineage

There are many ways to manifest sacredness

Many of our peoples of the black, white, yellow and red cultures are fearful of the crystal carriers. In the protocol it mentions that we could place our medicine bundles in the center of the circle with the staffs, drums, pipes and medicine bundles. This is where the crystals could be placed to help hold the energy.  This is called medicine to help in our prayers for harmony and balance.

Those individuals need to take their crystal medicines there and share why they want to use them with the Ambassadors and how they will be used in the ceremony. This then will be understood by all attending creating communication in peace and harmony on the attitudes about crystals. We will prevail with the teaching of why the crystal is there and how it is being used in a very sacred manner.

I know that there are many that use crystals. The message is that we will work together and not in prejudice and point fingers and not tell individuals who can use this or that. Communication is of the most important aspects to keeping peace at the sacred sites of this medicine wheel ceremony.

Again I prefer to give a message to those wanting to use crystals only in a sacred manner with pure intentions to help hold the energies we are looking for in this ceremony. Not everyone understands crystals and there are many views and attitudes towards how crystals should and would be used.  Please be careful in not separating or causing a breakdown separating the people and work in harmony. Especially, the Native Americans who look at crystal carriers as new agers and now is the time we would work together walking side by side. It is very important to understand that some Native Americans do use crystals, and some don’t.   To be able to walk as one in harmony this attitude has to be adjusted in peaceful relationships.

I feel it is up to the ambassadors and all individuals who are in communication to see what is appropriate and not appropriate in their perspective areas as ambassadors...many thank you's and many blessings to all of your for your time again on this Big Bear Medicine Wheel.... may we all walk in beauty with peace and harmony in our hearts, one thought, one prayer, oneness for all things, related to one another, a brother for peace and harmony.

Bennie LeBeau,
Eastern Shoshone,
Wind River Shoshone,
South Laguna Beach, California.
November 10th, 2004

The Elements of earth, wind, fire and water as well as the Elemental Kingdom have asked us to prepare the Big Bear Medicine Wheel, it’s mountain peaks and bodies of water for a powerful ceremony. The ancestral spirits have spoken giving direction to build and reset into harmony this medicine wheel. This wheel is to be activated at sunrise on Monday, November 15th, 2004.  The boundaries of this medicine wheel will encompass nine well-known mountain peaks and waterways.  It will cover an area whose radius is some 220 miles, with Big Bear Lake as the center hub.

This spiritual vision is calling the Indigenous Nations, along with other cultures, living within this 220-mile area to come forth. To come forth putting our relationship with nature back into harmony and balance in sacred vibrations. To come forth with the use of sacred prayers, utilizing our drums, songs and sacred vibrational tools. By utilizing prayer, the sacred vibrations of our drums, by chanting our songs, these ancient sites will re-vitalize. The intent of the pre-ceremony is to place back into harmony and balance those lands, mountains and bodies of water that are now ''out-of-harmony.'' Due to the reckless development within these areas of the Big Bear Medicine Wheel droughts have set in. The vision mentions that when the ceremony takes place negative thought forms, which lie within these areas, would be released.  These bondages will be released through moisture of rain and snow, and the rebirthing of springs.

Releasing this 220 miles radius out of the bondage of negativity for mother earth, by re-attuning these sacred sites and working together with one another, as the ancestor's once did in the past before colonization took place. The ceremony then becomes an important tool to teach all individuals the importance of our mother earth and the blessings she has given all of us. The re-harmonization will help bring back the rains, snow and springs. Many of Mother Earth's womb springs will come to life once again, flowing outward. Water carries the messages of life, while sustaining life, our lifeblood that is blessed by our father sun and watched over by the universal presence.

The animals, winged ones, water beings, trees and rocks as well as the Creator of the Universe will work with us to vibrate the same thought forms in prayer. This will bring about a co-creative effort of harmony blessing the earth, the wind, the fire and the water. The drum vibrations and sacred prayers will flow throughout the Big Bear Medicine Wheel.

The powerful vibrations of war, robbing and raping the land's minerals and resources are causing Mother Earth to fall from harmony and balance here, there and everywhere. These negative vibrations are affecting many areas producing earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, hurricanes and volcanic activity.   Not only in this vicinity, but the trembling continues to create unstable weather patterns around the world.

The Eastern Shoshone from the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming and others from the area who choose to participate will gather at our sacred site areas on November 15th, 2004.  At the same time other tribal nations; groups and cultures within the areas of the nine sacred site mountains and waterways will use their songs, chants and drumming to vibrate and bless these areas. Simultaneously we will combine our ancestral songs, chants and drums within the Big Bear Medicine Wheel. This combined effort will, without doubt, will bless our Mother Earth and all her creations beyond imagination. When these sacred mountains and waterways have been reset back into working order, balance and harmony Mother Nature will be re-orchestrated in beauty.

Upon these sacred sites will be placed sacred stones with prayers upon them to hold the energy. Electrically-magnetically charged energy vibrating at a high velocity will heal Grandmother Spider's web. Reconstructing the Web of Life back into a blossoming flower once again. Heaven upon Earth will burst forth and everything will once again emerge into harmony. The rains will fall and the waters and springs will flow again. Plants will grow, animals will flourish and ''all things related'' will prosper.

To bring this about, the Big Bear Community Members of Big Bear Lake, California has asked us to work together as cultures in a sacred manner. We ask for your assistance, my relatives, in activating these sacred sites. We are asking that we all do our part as humans to bring about harmony and balance within this medicine wheel. For what is above is below. As in the universe so it is upon the surface of our mother earth and below her surface within the crystalline matrix that makes the great heart of Mother Earth. This will awaken and re-integrate the ancient teachings of the Indigenous Nations for all of our brothers and sisters of all nationalities. By working with sacred traditional earth knowledge we will bring harmony back to our mother; we will then begin to remember our ceremonies.

This is to be a joint effort of all involved. We must be in the highest form of sacred thought while in prayer. We must work in a straightforward manner. There will be no disagreements as to who is right and who is wrong, for the many mountains and rivers of this Big Bear Medicine Wheel have already had enough of this negativity. The vision showed that this undertaking would be a joint effort working together in peace and harmony with one another. Working with our families as we are surrounded by the four colors of race, mankind itself. We shall bring back peace of mind to our spirits, to our hearts, and to our homelands. We will release the bondage of negative thought forms and prejudice within our minds for the betterment of all living things. Mother Earth and Father Sun will assist us in these areas that are being prepared. Together they will activate the sacred vibration of harmony throughout the sacred medicine wheel. Rain, snow, springs; life will prevail in a beautiful rebirthing. 

In closing, I pray that the whole world will choose to be aware of this ceremony as it takes place on Monday, November 15th, 2004. I pray each will choose to be in a sacred space meditating on the peace and harmony no matter where they may be.  The human race is depending on us for WE ARE the "keepers of the earth and its sacred wisdom. "We are the one's we have been waiting for," Hopi prophecy.

Bennie E. LeBeau, Sr.
Eastern Shoshone
Wind River Shoshone Wyoming
South Laguna Beach, California
November 10th, 2004

Many traditional and non-traditional meetings have taken place. However, there was a question in regards to the participation of many nations and how they are to connect on the Big Bear Medicine Wheel’s sacred sites. Mother Earth is calling for all cultures to come together in Sacred Ceremonies now to restore balance and harmony. Helping alleviate worldwide concerns about the pasts, present, and future droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanic activities around the world.  We have all envisioned a unified ceremony in Southern California for sometime.

THE PROTOCOL - This is a “sample” protocol that can be utilized in the Big Bear Medicine Wheel.  (Modify as necessary)

WHEN THE MORNING STAR APPEARS IN THE EAST the mounds altar for staffs will be marked and put in a circle with an opening to the east. All nations represented with a staff can circle around the center fire for the entrance of the sacred pipes, to be placed in the four directions with prayer and song. After the sacred pipes are placed in the mounds, the cleansing (smudging with sage, cedar, ect.) for the people and their medicine bundles will begin.

MORNING SONGS can be sung until dawn. Everyone will come together with his or her prayer offerings as traditional music is played to welcome the sun as it appears upon the horizon.

SACRED FIRE:  Please keep in mind, if you build a sacred fire – it is to be used for ceremony ONLY.  Tobacco, sage, sweet grass, cedar and other sacred offerings are welcome.       However, DO NOT cook or throw any debris into the fire.  Make sure you put out the fire completely before you leave. 

BREAKFAST- will be on your own or the ambassadors of the Big Bear Medicine Wheel organizers can organize for meals during their ceremonial activities.

MIDMORNING (10:00 AM) the participating groups can bring their prayer sticks, with their own designs and colors, to the center west of the central fire. The prayer sticks will be placed in a line representing the participating groups. When the time comes, the south prayer stick will begin their song. When they complete their song, the next prayer stick will start and so forth until the last one is completed. With the singing and prayer we will be representing the ancestors and those representing the present five fingered ones. Drumming and singing to connect the vibration song lines of the four directions, south to north and east to west.

PLACING OF CRYSTALS & Other Sacred Objects (11:30 AM) with the prayer sticks will be done before noon. Everyone is invited to place their crystal or sacred objects around the mound of the prayer sticks as the song is honoring the sun. When ready, the connecting song will start very softly and increase as more song is sung. All drums, flutes, eagle bone whistles, and singing will begin with the rhythm of the medicine rattle to open the vibration.

THE SKY PATH OF THE HOLY ONES is connected at noon when the energy is most powerful and direct. The group who has the south prayer stick will lead off with their song. They may ask others to join them. After the last prayer stick at the north end has sung their song, the singing is open and for all the people to join in the healing dance. This is for Mother Earth to acknowledge you and you to acknowledge Mother Earth in renewing your sacred relationship with her.

(High Noon is the most powerful time of the day, when the white light from Father Sun penetrates the crystals placed in the Medicine Wheel altar.)

HONORING MOTHER EARTH (1:00 PM) will begin with a pipe ceremony (if a pipe is offered) after the sacred water is brought in. Mother Earth Songs will be sung and offerings will be prepared for her to be placed in the sacred spring or sacred site so her seeds will carry the sacred message to the universe when the plants arrive.

CLOSING THE CEREMONY:  Please remember to respectfully & gratefully close the Medicine Wheel and completely put out the sacred fire.  Respectfully dismantle your altar.  And, clean up the surrounding area.  

HONORING THE SACRED PATH FOR THE FIVE FINGERED ONES will be done with Mountain or waterway Songs ending with a Blessing in prayer. The prayer sticks will be taken to the mountain or waterway Gods for their guidance and wisdom, as our journey begins here. Our first responsibility is to clean up the area before leaving for home to share our experiences with our loved ones.

Spiritual Messengers of the many Indigenous Nations with many other cultures will participate in prayers and ceremony. Everyone will be in the best of behaviors with integrity of pure prayers of the mind, heart, and spirit with sacred actions for harmony and balance. This is very important for the holy ones will be watching all of us at this time. We will alleviate the droughts, giving thanks for snow, rain and springs to rebirth.  Praying for the relief of unstable earth and weather activities within the Big Bear Medicine wheel.   The holy ones have instructed us to be in clear minds, hearts and spirits, being one in harmony and balance with sacred prayer for Mother Earth’s creations that are all related on Turtle Island of the Americas and around the World.

Bennie LeBeau
Eastern Shoshone
South Laguna Beach, California
November 10th, 2004

All people from all nations are welcome to participate in the tentative protocol listed. Many Indigenous Nations have different protocols and the message is everyone will use the best of the protocols for harmony with all involved for a balanced relationship of the many different Indigenous Nations that will participate.

Leon Secatero - Navajo & Bennie LeBeau - Eastern Shoshone
May 2004