Motivation Spirit

by Ralph P. Brown

Indian people use the Medicine Wheel to guide them in many areas of life as it is both a tool and a guide that was given to us by the Creator. Our happiness and attitudes are an important part of our lives; recognizing and using our personal power will help us succeed in all areas of life. In the Great Wheel everything is connected; all things are related.
There are two "powers" - one in the North and one in the South of the Medicine Wheel. Both powers have their place in the Wheel. When you make the effort to truly understand them, they will bring many gifts. Seek their nature and they are like weapons (spiritually speaking) wielded by the warrior.
The power of the North is one of brute strength, force and personal will. It is the most common form of power and is generally understood and accepted. The power of the South is more subtle. It is one of ease, surrender and, rather than coming from will, it comes from love. Both of these are powerful in their own right but the power of the South comes from love and is therefore closer to the source, the Creator. Love is a force that is gentle in nature but powerful and mighty.
The North and South can be viewed as "up" and "down". On a compass, North is always "up" while South is "down". In the North is found male energy (think of Father Sky or Sun), while female energy is found in the South (think of Mother Earth). Male energy bears down and female energy rises up. Perhaps there is an easier way to remember these powers. A living example of the two powers can be seen in the story of "The Oak and The Willow".
On the banks of the Great River, there lived two trees. The first was a mighty oak tree. The oak tree was tall and given to bragging about just how strong he was. He would look at the willow and think, "How weak and soft she looks. So unlike my own powerful stature."
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