The Stone for Wabun is placed in the Outer Circle marked out for the Medicine Wheel -- exactly in the cardinal direction East; or as near as you can reckon it. On March 21st of each year Father Sun is directly East. This is the date of the Spring Equinox, meaning that Father Sun is halfway between his southernmost point of (apparent) travel and his northernmost point: an equal distance between the two points. This is also when Father Sun is exactly (as much as anything is :o) in the East.

The beautiful, majestic (and endangered) Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is the animal Totem for Wabun. Eagle soars high, higher than any other physical being. And yet from this lofty height He can see the mouse far below. At the same time He sees the whole picture. The first gift of Wabun which Golden Eagle can help you realize is Clarity. Ask Wabun to help you soar high, close to Creator, and gain Wisdom. Higher yet, till you gain the Light of Illumination.

Spirit Keeper of the West

The time of Mudjekeewis is the Evening til Midnite, Autumn, our adult years to elder time. This is the time of slowing down, of taking stock of experiences, of going within, like the Grizzly in autumn, but going within spiritually, to gain strength from the knowledge thus gained; the time to prepare for the times of "winter" or later times.

The Stone for Mudjekeewis is placed due West in the outer Circle, exactly opposite the Stone for Wabun of the East. The three Moons of Mudjekeewis are those of Autumn to early "winter": the Ducks Fly Moon, the Freeze Up Moon and the Long Snows Moon. If one of these is "your" moon, then Mudjekeewis and his path or gifts of experience, introspection and strength are the most relevant for you. But remember, all of the Spirit Keepers are there for you, and different assistance is needed at different times. We need to learn as many of the gifts as we can.

Cedar is the plant kingdom totem for the West. The above photo is of Western Cedar. For a picture of Eastern Cedar and very interesting information on the habitat, growth, uses, etc. of these trees, check White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) in "Flora, fauna, earth, and sky...The natural history of the northwoods". The needlelike Cedar leaves are rich in vitamin C; Native Americans and early European explorers used it to treat scurvy, therefore it is also known as Arborvitae, "Tree of Life".
Fragrant, pleasing Cedar thrown on the fire, or used as a smudge, putifies, and heals.

The mineral totem for Mudjekeewis is Soapstone. There is an excellent article on the characteristics of Soapstone, creating the sculptures using ordinary tools, and by "seeing" your subject in the in the chunk of stone, at Soapstone (part of Cameron Owls, www.owlman.com).
Please click on the image of the beautiful Soapstone Grizzly carving above to see more examples of Nunivak Island carvings. For information about the artist click on his name under the photo.

Soapstone has been used for many thousands of years for both Sacred and decorative carvings. Carry on your person and/or meditate with Soapstone to learn about purification, preparation, maturity, responsibility, old knowledge, and strength with malleability.

Blue is often the color of evening clouds and sky. The night is usually thought of as Black. Black and Blue are the colors for the Stone honoring the Western Spirit Keeper. Use these colors when you are working on evaluating experience, learning introspection, and developing strength for the times ahead.

Spirit Keeper of the North

Waboose's time starts with the Winter solstice, when Father Sun is at the southernmost point of his journey, the shortest day of the year. Her times are Midnite to Dawn, Winter, the elder time of life and around to birth or rebirth.

The most honored White Buffalo is the animal manifestation of Waboose, often equated with White Buffalo Calf Pipe Woman.

The Stone for Waboose is placed due North in the outer Circle, exactly opposite the Stone for Shawnodese of the South. The three Moons of Waboose are those of Winter: the Earth Renewal Moon, the Rest and Cleansing Moon and the Big Winds Moon. If one of these is "your" moon, then Waboose and her path or gifts of Cleansing, Renewal, and Purity are the most relevant for you. But remember, all of the Spirit Keepers are there for you, and different assistance is needed at different times. We need to learn as many of the gifts as we can.

Sweetgrass is the plant kingdom totem for the North. Sweetgrass not only sustained the Buffalo,
but is the most popular ceremonial and smudge plant today, next to Sagebrush.   Sweetgrass draws in positive energies and calls the ancestors.

Here is excellent information: SWEETGRASS (Hierochloe odorata) - and you can even purchase organically grown plants to start your own plot of Sweetgrass. See also, the article Sweetgrass by Marie Burke, Buffalo Spirit Writer.

The mineral totem for Waboose is Alabaster. Alabaster is a gypsum based stone. Because it is easy to carve and takes a beautiful matte or polished finish, it has been used for many thousands of years for both Sacred and decorative carvings. Please visit Cardinal Stoneworks webpage (above) to see examples of many unsusal and varied colors of Alabaster.
Carry a small piece of Alabaster on your person and/or meditate with Alabaster to learn about gentleness with strength, purity, high ideals, peace, and the give away.

The color for the Stone of the North and the Sacred White Buffalo is the color of Winter in the north, the color of the hair on the heads of our wise elder Grandmothers and Grandfathers, White. This color helps to cleanse, renew and purify your body, mind and Spirit.

Spirit Keeper of the South - Coyote (Shawnodese)

South - Rapid growth and trust

Moon: Strong sun moon; warning sun moon, Power animal: Flicker (large woodpecker), Minerals: Rose quartz, Carnelian agate, Color: Pink, Plant: Wild rose, Clan: Frog, Element: Water

The second moon of Shawnodese, Spirit Keeper of the South is the Ripe Berries Moon (July 23 to August 22) position on the Native American Medicine Wheel. The stone for this position is placed midway between the southern and western stones in the outer circle of the Medicine Wheel. Iron and garnet are the mineral totems for this moon, raspberry is the plant totem, and the sturgeon is the animal totem. The color is red, and the Thunderbird clan influences the position.

Iron teaches people in this position about their strength and garnet shows them their heart is the source of that strength. From the raspberry they learn about their sweetness and the thorns they project to protect this part of themselves from other people. The sturgeon shows them their depth and their need to teach. The Ripe Berries Moon teaches them how to work from the heart center, how to demonstrate affection, how to face fears, and how to develop leadership abilities. This moon helps develop courage and power. People experiencing the sturgeon energy need to guard against impulsiveness, arrogance, and a tendency to dominate any scenario.

Sturgeon is the animal totem associated with the Ripe Berries Moon. The sturgeon is known as the king of fishes. A primitive fish that has probably existed on the earth since around the time the dinosaurs disappeared, the sturgeon comes in a variety of sizes, but can reach twelve-foot lengths and at least 300-pound weights.

Sturgeons were considered the royalty of fishes among the Native people who lived in the Great Lakes area. In the Ojibwa nation there is a Sturgeon clan that is one of the teaching clans. To the Ojibwa people the sturgeon represents depth and strength.

The European people who came to North America did not have the same respect for this fish. At first they considered it a nuisance when sturgeons got in their nets. Later they almost fished it to extinction when they discovered the value of its roe, which is better known as caviar. The sturgeon is rarely found now.

Working with the sturgeon can teach you about your determination, perseverance, depth, knowledge, generosity, strength, and sexuality.

PLANT:

Raspberries, the plant associated with the Ripe Berries Moon. The raspberry itself is a delicacy, and the leaves and root of the plant have medicinal properties. The berries not only delight but also cleanse the system. They can aid in breaking up and expelling gallstones and kidney stones and stimulate the action of the urinary tract. The root is an astringent and has some antibiotic and healing properties. It can be used as a gargle for sore throats. The tea as a compress has been applied to wounds and cuts to slow bleeding. A tea from the leaves can be used to cure diarrhea, cankers, uterine problems, and menstrual issues. Raspberry leaf tea is one of the belt herbal teas for pregnant women, acting as a tonic. A tea from the twigs is good for colds, flues, difficulty in breathing, and for balancing blood sugar levels. Raspberry plants can teach you to find the sweetness within the thorns of life.

MINERAL:

Garnet and iron are the minerals associated with the Ripe Berries Moon. Garnet can help to balance your sexual energies. It is associated with the heart and blood and can stimulate the free flow of emotion in its wearer.

Garnet can help to strengthen those who carry it, can warn of danger, and can help you to lead a good and honorable life. It can also help you penetrate to the heart of any matter.

Iron is good for the blood and heart. It can remind you of the necessity of being tempered by life's experiences. It can encourage you to have a discriminating hardness that will allow you to know when no is the answer that will promote the highest good for all that are involved.