The Sacred Journey
- A Quest for Vision
by Carol Hannagan

The Medicine Wheel is used by most all Indigenous People in symbolic ritual of becoming one with the universe. The wheel has no end and no beginning. It is the circle of all creation. It is where the answers to the heartfelt questions are found. It is where power of the earth’s knowledge is available for all who ask. It is a place of protection, guidance, healing, and balance. This is a place of powerful enlightenment for which our soul has yearned to know. This is our way back HOME to Creator.

Although the Medicine Wheel has thirty-six positions, questers will only use five for the Vision Quest. Those will be the North, East, South,West, and Center. These will represent the four directions which each quester will face to meditate and pray for guidance. Each quester will stay in the wheel for the duration of the quest, except for going to the stone pile or going to the bathroom. On rare occasions, a quester may be guided to walk outside the wheel for revelation of an important message, but this is extremely rare and must be checked to make sure it is not a diversion from being one with Creator.

Prior to establishing your Medicine Wheel, determine if this site will be suitable by observing the topography and lay of the land. Make sure it is protected from the wind, sun, possible inclement weather, and the view of other people. This will be your Sacred Site for the next four days Here you will:

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• be doing your profound work with Creator.

• be conducting ceremonies, rituals, and shedding the old ways that no longer serve you or your people.

• becoming one with Creator.

• be singing of the songs of releasing; dancing with the joys of freedom; crying out the sorrows of betrayal; yelling the pain of anger; walking the path of hope; and dreaming happiness and wholeness.