Fall Equinox: Time to reap your harvest and offer your gift
The Native American Medicine Wheel is a powerful ceremony and series of teachings that mark where you are in the cycle of your life. The primary points of the Medicine Wheel are the seasons of the year which correspond to the four directions- like on a compass. The fall is highlighted by the Fall equinox or the first day of fall- which is Wednesday. In the tradition that I was taught, the fall equinox is in the west of the Medicine Wheel.
The aspect of self characterized by the west on the Medicine Wheel is inner strength. The totem of the west is that of the grizzly bear. The grizzly bear has no natural enemies- so it knows no fear. It can be the clown of the forest. It has nothing to prove- so it can be true to itself.
In the year cycle of the Medicine Wheel, the place of the west is fall and the harvest. It is the time to glean the value of the intention and dynamic you set (or planted) in the spring and developed in the summer. It is the time of mastery and completion. You now understand this phase of your life and can offer it with strength and confidence.
In the life cycle of the Medicine Wheel, the place of the west is maturity and adulthood. You have experienced the innocence of childhood, and the exploration of adolescence. You are in the prime of your productivity. You can offer the gifts you have developed back to your people. You can make a difference with your community and the world.
In the day cycle of the Medicine Wheel, the place of the west is 6:00 pm in the evening. You are completing and detaching from the dynamic of your day. The sun is going down and your visibility is decreasing. Your focus is drawing itself back inward to yourself. You are starting to feel the implications of the day as well as what is going on internally. Sundown is the most intense time of feeling of the day.
So… make sure you celebrate your fall equinox and time of the west. Honor all the things it signifies in the cycle of your life.
About author:
Michael Hoffman’s passion is guiding people to connect with their natural gifts. He believes that we all have innate gifts that hugely benefit others and the world when we offer them. The purest example of these gifts is the Native American concept of medicine or the gift you offer your people. Michael defines your medicine or gift as the natural effect you have on other people when your heart is open. Unfortunately, the demands of our current culture to comply and fit in often distract people away from their inherent gifts and the natural expression of their being. Michael believes many of us have forgotten our dreams and what we are about. This sadly results in a loss of purpose, passion, and vitality. As an innate gift specialist, Michael offers retreats, classes, and individual sessions to allow people to reclaim their natural gifts. These venues allow people to identify, awaken, and offer their gifts. This experiential work incorporates Zen thought, Native American ceremony, rites-of-passage, and releasing limiting belief systems. Michael also maintains his meta blog to provide knowledge, skills, and awareness for unfolding your natural gifts. He is currently compiling this knowledge and research into a college class and book. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1987 and Master of Social Work in 1996. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition to his formal education, Michael studied and apprenticed with a Zen Master and spiritual teacher for 22 years to learn how to guide people to understand themselves. He has worked with people professionally since 1986 as a psychotherapist and teacher. Michael currently resides in Oceanside, California.
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3 Responses to “Fall Equinox: Time to reap your harvest and offer your gift”
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love this … thx for the post, Michael, and happy Equinox to you! -dh
Hi, I also have mine own blog and I want to write on it what I found on yours. You wrote interesting things and I want to use your words on my blog. Is it posiible? Write me back.
Thank you DH. Thank you for reaching out and asking kredty. Use my words anytime. I ask that you quote me. And link to me if possible. Perhaps, we can link to each other.