The four directions have been honored in original peoples' traditions around the world for centuries. When the four directions are acknowledged with a circle of twelve stones, Native Americans refer to such an object as a medicine wheel. The term "medicine" can mean healing or spirit.

EAST is the direction of air, dawn, spring, mind, illumination and new beginnings. East is represented by eagle. Eagle's medicine is freedom; freedom to fly above ignorance and see with greater perspective. It is often called the golden door or the window between the Great Spirit and this world. Its colors are golds and pastels.

WEST is the direction of water, dusk, fall, maturing, wisdom, intro-spection and courage. It is the void where future lives. West is the dark cave of the bear and the deep ocean of the whale. Its colors are blacks, blues, sea greens and purple. The answers to life come from the west, teaching us that when we learn to be still like bear, the power to find our own answers will come.

SOUTH is the direction of fire, noon, summer, childhood and the spark of spirit. Its colors are firey reds, oranges, and magenta. Different tribes have varying animal interpretations of this direction; coyote, wolf, mouse and porcupine to name a few. This is the direction of childhood and its lessons. It is said that in the presence of fire no negativity can exist. It is in this direction the road to innocence and purity are refound.

NORTH is the direction of earth, winter, midnight and silence. It is the sacred place of elders, the horned animals, the star kingdoms and the great white buffalo, bringer of the pipe and keeper of the mysteries. Its colors are white, browns and greens. It is the direction of the forests, trees, mountains and rocks. To be attracted to north is to be connected to the earth at the place where the medicine wheel to the stars begins.