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.

The Frost Time is akin to the setting sun and the season of autumn where leaves fall from the trees and  where Nature begins a period of transformation and regeneration.  Frost is a reminder that winter represents the end, but when warmed is renewed overnight.  During this transformational cycle great ideas and enthusiasm are ever present.  It is important to keep emotions warm so that energy can flow freely.

The Ancients considered this time to be the pivotal point of the entire yearly cycle.  Seen as a “twilight” period between the visible and invisible worlds of reality. A time when both physical and spiritual become closer together. It was also a time where the emotional closeness can me felt  more keenly.

This cycle brings power and strength and is a time to be introspective about life and work on emotional endurance. Its a good time to be mindful of excesses and to keep fun time in balance.  Don’t take life to seriously!  This is a mystical time and if you work with its essence it can lead us to find our deepest desires, seek change and let go of what is no longer useful.

The essence of this cycle can be best described as a time where you may experience being: ambitious, impulsive, intense, determined, sensuous and mysterious.

Medicine totems: Snake, Grizzly Bear, Beaver, Thistle, Amethyst (animal, plant, minerals associated with this earth cycle.)

Affinity Colors: Violet

I Ching: Earth receptiveness and success through persistence

Best Day of the week: Tuesday.

The Frost Time: can be a time to let go of the old and unnecessary things in our lives. Be true to ourselves and work with the emotional self.  We need to be willing to trust the invisible workings of Nature and the Universe which can bring about a better life-experience.  Enjoy the warmth of friendships and become pioneers once again during our precious earth walk.

The awesome power received through the study of the Native American Medicine Wheel has once again paved the way to a greater understanding of “who we are” and “why we are here”.

I wish you well in all your personal journeys!

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.