The Long Nights cycle brings with it the power of introspection and new opportunities. During this cycle  one can see for long distances while the air is cold, crisp and clear. It is a good time to determine your personal goals, make changes and to find new directions in life.

During this darkest month even though the power of the Sun is diminished it should be seen as an opportunity to seek out hope and encouragement from within. The waning of the suns energy is a good stimulator to search out  your personal foresight and vision. This is also a good time to explore and be pioneering.

Another interesting aspect of this time is its direction on the medicine wheel. It precedes a cosmic gateway which cultivates rebirth, hence, the celebration of Yuletide on December 22nd which is considered the birth of cosmic consciousness. It symbolizes the initiation into the unknown mysteries of life and is said to bring great powers of creative thought.

The essence of this cycle can be best described as a time where you may experience being: warm hearted, adventurous, sincere, versatile, scrupulous, social and determined.

Medicine totems: Owl, Grizzly bear, Hawk, Mistletoe, Obsidian.

Affinity Colors: Gold

I Ching: The still mountain. Steadfastness and inner peace.

Best day of the week: Thursday

The Long Nights Time: is a path that can lead to discovery of ones own potential.  This time is a gift because is represents the inner beauty of ones self, to be your own creator. Its a time to balance mind with heart.  A time of opportunity to raise morality and to obtain the vision of spiritual insight.

The journey down this life path has brought me to a better place.  Traveling the Native American Medicine Wheel is one of the greatest adventures and I hope you are inspired to try it yourself.

Nature appears to be reaching up to the Sun and brings forth its fruit in abundance. This is a time to pause from our busy lives and refresh ourselves before the work of the harvesting season arrives. It is a time for reflection and remembering of what we are now and what we hope to become.

During this time the influence of the solar energy gives us a sense of being creative and outgoing and a general temperament of being “sunny”. This is also a time that will encourage the qualities of openness and warmth and will be mostly present in people born during this earth cycle time.

The essence of this cycle can be best described as a time where you may experience being:  proud, energetic, confident, generous, passionate and intense.

Medicine totems: Salmon, Raspberry, Carnelian (animal, plant, minerals associated with this earth cycle)

Affinity Color: Red

I Ching: Desire for consistency.

Best Day of the week: Sunday

Ripening Time: A time to discover purposefulness and to put trust and usefulness in place of pride and vanity.  Direct energy towards gaining wisdom on an emotional level and letting go of fear and failure.

The Native American Medicine Wheel reveals hidden secrets of how we can fully understand our relationship with mother Earth and how the yearly cycles play a key role in our daily lives.  Our planet provides us with everything we need to live healthy and find our true destiny.  I hope you have enjoyed reading and  I look forward to your comments.

The Summer Solstice, marked the beginning of the Long Days Time. It is a time of enjoying the great outdoors, lush green vegetation and air filled with the fragrance of flowers.

During this time there is potential for gaining wisdom through experience and responsibility. It can also be a time of testing one’s maximum potential and unique qualities brought with you at the time of your birth.  It is also a time of hope and expectation for the long hot days of summer that lie ahead and for the reward of all one’s efforts.

The essence of this cycle can be best described as a time where you may experience being: Sensitive. Imaginative. Sympathetic. Protective. Tender. Shrewd. Thrifty.

Medicine Totems: Woodpecker. Wild rose. Rose quartz.

I Ching: Desire for contentment.

Long Days Time: This is a time to share in the nurturing and protection of that which is abound in Nature now.

Comments: I share these insights from my study of the Native American Medicine Wheel.  By learning and following the rhythms of the earth, the energy you will gain can help you to find your own personal path, and attain inner enlightenment.

I hope you enjoyed reading.