The winter wheel.

November 2018

I made this winter medicine wheel just outside the entrance to my home while clearing the front porch. Since my main wheel is now buried under eleven or so inches of snow I thought I could use another one. One closer to me than the other. For protection and healing.

These stones were gathered by my kiddos and left in a heap for me to find. I reused the moss from last years holiday wreath that I managed to take apart in my quest to learn any secrets in wreath making.

Just after I took this photo I stepped of the deck to find two very large barn spiders in the snow. So perfectly perched for a moment I thought they were alive. I hesitated and then proceeded to cup them in my hand, one at a time and placed them within the wheel.

Spider medicine has been so prominent for me. I’ve been working with spider for years and am still learning all of the qualities this wild creature possess. They are always near me...or on me. Always talking to me or making me squeal. Over the years I’ve learned to live along side them. I no longer want them to leave and because we leave them be, the chickadees eat them once winter arrives after the spiders have eaten all of the bugs we don’t want through the summer. You see, there is a cycle there that I do not wish to disturb. It is not my place to disturb it.

The chickadees left me two beautiful spiders so it’s only natural for me to honor them in the wheel. For living along side us within the natural rhythm of the seasons and for helping me protect this space where I live. I can not tell you how many people walked off my porch the second they saw how large and how many there were above their heads.