Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Passing on sacred ideas to Scouts
I hoped the little Brownie Scouts from La Cañada Troop 931 would comprehend the mysteries of the Medicine Wheel. I was impressed by their leaders, Maricela Hurtado and Danni Remender. They push the envelope and provide substantive experiences for their Brownies, who are in the second grade.
I took precise steps as I prepared to teach the children the mystique of the medicine wheel, a ritual used by the Plains Indians to represent all knowledge of the universe. Rituals are safe havens for sacred ideas that exist at the center of human experience. They connect us to the metaphysical world and help us see the extraordinary in everyday life. I hoped to pass that on to Troop 931.
After graduating from college and prior to shipping out to the Marines, I taught American literature on the Cheyenne reservation at Lame Deer, Mont. There, I lectured on “Moby Dick” while my students explained Native American mythology.
Prior to the meeting with the girls, I gathered stones that I had collected on my adventures throughout the Rocky Mountains, prairie grass from eastern South Dakota and decayed leaves from lodge pole pine forests in northern Idaho. I also brought my collection of trade beads, some of which were from the 1700s. Russian blues, fancy Venetians, French crosses and blue padres would give the Scouts a unique opportunity to touch a part of American history.
In 1492 Columbus brought trade beads to North America. Throughout the following three centuries, beads would become the principle method of barter among Native Americans.
Since I wanted the little Scouts to have a tactile experience, I dumped the stones, grass, leaves and trade beads onto the Paradise Canyon kindergarten play yard. Victoria Kelly, Claire Hong, Anna Romer and Marlo O’Brien arranged the stones in a circle and then formed a smaller circle within the larger circle. I gave Olivia Tanouye, Edie Remender, Carolina Marinovich and Cailyn Wu a compass to identify and mark the four great directions: north, south, east and west. Using smaller stones, Siena Gundersen, Alexa Talbert and Charlotte Willes formed diagonal and horizontal lines that connected the directions to each other and to the center circle.
I explained that the circle represents the outer boundary of the Earth and defines the continuous pattern of life on Earth. The horizontal and vertical lines represent the sun and our journey throughout life. The inner circle where the lines meet indicates the center of the Earth, where one stands while meditating its mysteries.
The four directions each have a specific color, a message, and an animal sign. Each rock and every point within the circle have a specific meaning. For example, the east direction on the medicine wheel is represented by the color yellow and its totem animal is the eagle. East is the direction for seeking illumination and clarity regarding one’s life path.
I told the Scouts that for 4,500 years, the medicine wheel has been foundational to Native American spirituality. Its teachings continue to provide harmony, connection and interaction with all animate and inanimate entities on earth.
In my journal titled “1969” I found a quote by Anthon St. Maarten. I believe it’s the essence of the medicine wheel. “You are a divine being. An all-powerful creator. You are a deity and within you dwells the infinite wisdom of the ages and the sacred creative force of all that is, will be and ever was.”
I tried to explain that to the little Brownies of Troop 931. Maybe one day they’ll get it.
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JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us.
