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Teachings
Urban Circle takes pride in our holistic approach in educating our students. Urban Circle relies on the guidance and teachings given from Elder Stella Blackbird.
Elders Stella Blackbird and Ann Callahan - staffCeremonies: Sweat lodge,Medicine Teachings: Sage,The Seven Teachings:
 Winter Solstice view from top The Medicine Wheel and The Four Directions: "It is believed that our physical world exists within a natural cycle or "Circle". This Circle is sacred and within, all things have a place. We honor the Circle, as the Creator's Life Force exists in all of Creation and we are related to all that exists. The Medicine Wheel, honoring the Four Directions is an interpretation of such a Circle and is intended to be used as a tool for teaching." "The Four Directions start at the East, to honor the Grandfather Sun rising each morning, sustaining life on our Mother the Earth. The color of the Eastern Direction is Red (representing the people of the Red Nations). It symbolizes innocence, new beginnings and is the age of childhood. The season is Spring, a time of new life, birth and rebirth and of renewing energy. The animal that represents the Eastern Doorway is the Eagle, which can also teach us strength. The Eagle can fly higher and see better than any other bird. It also has the honor of carrying our prayers and dreams to the Creator. The Southern Doorway, the color is Black (representing the people of the Black Nations). The age is that of adolescence, a time of great learning, seeking, questioning and rebellion. The season is Summer in which there is growth in all living things. Plants, which we can learn kindness from, is this Direction's Kingdom. The animal that represents the Southern Doorway is the Wolf; it is the animal that teaches us humility. The Western Doorway's color is Yellow (Representing the people of the Yellow Nations). This color represents inner wisdom, achievement and the acceptance of responsibility. The age is maturity. The season of this Direction is Autumn, a time of preparation. 'We learn sharing from the Western Direction, as its Kingdom is that of Animal Kind. The animal that represents this Doorway is the Bear, which teaches us healing. The Northern Doorway's color is white (representing the people of the White Nations). It represents perfection, completion and service. This is a time of old age, of wisdom, knowledge, honor and balance. The season is Winter and the Kingdom is of Human Kind. The animal that represents the Northern Direction is the Buffalo. It teaches us truth and faith. Frequently, a White Buffalo is used a visual representation of the Northern Doorway. The North brings rest and prepares ourselves for spirit life." "You need to take care of all four quadrants; mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional to be in balance, everyday, the wheel will teach you to be in balance. When you look at the medicine wheel, there are many teachings, but the value of it is to look within and search it."  Mitch - staff preparing Sweat Lodge The Sacred Turtle: The whole turtle it self represents all of these combined teachings. The shell of the turtle has 13 layers, which consist of Honesty, Truth, Humility, Wisdom, and Bravery (north to south). The left layers of the turtle represent Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual. The right layers of the turtle represent Red People, Yellow People, Black People and White People. The head of the turtle represents Love and the tail represents Respect. The legs of the turtle represent East, South, West and North (each with more in depth teachings combined). The many cultural teachings passed down from our Elder truly give our staff and students a sense of self awareness, belonging and compassion for our mother earth and traditional background.
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