THE MEDICINE WHEEL, CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
Qualities and associations
THE EAST
the place of the sun rise, dawn
spring
fertility
the time for sowing seeds
conception
birth
germination
new energy
orientation
insight
vision
clarity
innocence
inspiration (inhale)
new beginnings
fresh starts
air
the mind
eagle, raven, butterfly (rebirth), hummingbird (high frequency)
As it relates to birth: the latent phase, cervix softening and opening, contractions irregular - orienting yourself, gathering your resources calling in your allies (spiritually speaking but literally, your birth team), prepare to get where you need to be, getting settled for labor — rest, breathe!
THE SOUTH
mid-day
summer
support
structure
sustenance
growth
expansion
maintenance
tending
good work (and the satisfaction of)
greater community
good play (and the pleasure of)
rhythm
timing
beauty
heat
alchemy
fire
the heart
deer, wolf, butterfly (& caterpillar), hummingbird (pierces the heart),
As it relates to birth: active labor, rhythmic contractions, heat — breathe, find and ride the rhythm, go within, drop out of the mind and into the heart, trust your animal body implicitly.
THE WEST
THE WEST
sunset
autumn
the harvest (receiving the fruits of your labor)
compost
winnowing, weighing, discerning (separating the wheat from the chaff)
taking stock/ inventory, gratitude
maturity
wisdom
release
surrender
trust (and the peace that comes with trust)
the dreamtime, dreaming
the ancestors
exporation (exhale)
decay
death and dying
harmony
water
the emotions
snake (shedding skin), owl, vulture, condor, frog, butterfly (transformation)
As it relates to birth: Transition phase, surrender to the intensity of close contractions. Rest and be thankful if contractions subside for a while before the urge to push (not my experience but I hear it happens). If/when you hit the “I give up, can’t go on, I can’t do this” point, try to remember you don’t have to do it, let spirit do it for you & call on the Spirit of the North for power and strength (or have your partner do this if they’re open).
THE NORTH
midnight
winter
the void
the unlimited field of possibility
the seed
the source
returning to source
the womb
The place of pure potential
the place of power
contraction (as in going within)
strength
perseverance
determination
will
courage
discipline
taking full responsibility
integration
intimate community
earth, stones, bones, antlers, teeth
the body
bear, buffalo, crocodile, horse,
As it relates to birth: "Second Stage" of labor, pushing phase, the urge to bear down, pushing, delivery! (Then the East starts again! :)
Note: you will be delivering your placenta a bit after bonding with baby, contractions will begin again, it’ll be a very mini repeat of the
same pattern.