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The Medicine Wheel Revealed
- By Chris Phillips
- Published 03/3/2010
- Religion and Spirituality
- Unrated
Chris Phillips
I am a veteran editor for friends and family as well as most of my employment positions. I often find myself reading a book and correcting problems I see even after the works have been professional published from big name publishers. I enjoy writing to the authors of books when possible and discussing problems I've seen in the reading of their work, and there is always the chance for great intelligent conversation whenever creative minds get together.
View all articles by Chris PhillipsThe Review
Awakening the Eagle: A Guide to the Medicine Wheel by Ralph P. Brown ISBN 9781439228203
Review by Chris Phillips
Brown takes an elusive Native American concept and uncovers the symbolic and spiritual meanings in this practical guide to understanding the Medicine Wheel. A Native American concept, the Medicine Wheel, deals with the cyclic nature of life. Spiritually he guides the aspirant into a better and more balanced life.
Brown is not only an author but an artist with interests in various media. One of the most striking features of Awakening the Eagle is the art used to illustrate important points and section beginnings. Brown is not clear on whether the art or the book came first, but has integrated both very well.
The fact that Brown is of Mohawk lineage is mentioned on the back cover, but this book is directed to everyone wishing to understand Native American ideas and spiritual development. Brown takes the reader from a rudimentary description of the Wheel through a thorough explanation of the spiritual concepts of direction, symbols, colors, and animals associated with each aspect. Starting in the East he explains the cycles present in life and present with each major struggle the reader might encounter in that life.
The book is constructed conceptually by the Medicine Wheel as well. Each section describes one direction. “The
East: Struggle with Self” begins by describing the symbols related and then some stories that expand on the original concept. The following sections use the same structure. Each section has a painting by Brown to identify the major concepts. As a mnemonic device this artwork lends itself to pedagogy very well. The book itself is a great learning tool for education in Brown’s interpretation of Native spirituality.
The Introduction is very long, but contains some very important information about the Medicine Wheel. Brown provides an illustration of the Wheel with word associations identified with each aspect of the Wheel. There is a Foreword, the Introduction, a Conclusion, an About the Author and finally an acknowledgment page amounting to several pages of information. Although it is relevant, this reviewer believes Brown would benefit from re-structuring the book into at least one more chapter describing the Medicine Wheel. That would also allow him more plates for his decent illustrations.
The editing and proofing of Awakening the Eagle, is very good. The continuity is exceptional within each section but the transitions between them would be improved by a little more explanation of how the different stages are encountered.
The book is very well written. It would be an asset to anyone interested in Native American spirituality and spirituality in general. This reviewer hopes that Brown will write more about these concepts.
Published by Book Surge (www.booksurge.com) (SRP $10.99/Amazon $10.99) Book for review sent by author.
Review by Chris Phillips
Brown takes an elusive Native American concept and uncovers the symbolic and spiritual meanings in this practical guide to understanding the Medicine Wheel. A Native American concept, the Medicine Wheel, deals with the cyclic nature of life. Spiritually he guides the aspirant into a better and more balanced life.
Brown is not only an author but an artist with interests in various media. One of the most striking features of Awakening the Eagle is the art used to illustrate important points and section beginnings. Brown is not clear on whether the art or the book came first, but has integrated both very well.
The fact that Brown is of Mohawk lineage is mentioned on the back cover, but this book is directed to everyone wishing to understand Native American ideas and spiritual development. Brown takes the reader from a rudimentary description of the Wheel through a thorough explanation of the spiritual concepts of direction, symbols, colors, and animals associated with each aspect. Starting in the East he explains the cycles present in life and present with each major struggle the reader might encounter in that life.
The book is constructed conceptually by the Medicine Wheel as well. Each section describes one direction. “The
The Introduction is very long, but contains some very important information about the Medicine Wheel. Brown provides an illustration of the Wheel with word associations identified with each aspect of the Wheel. There is a Foreword, the Introduction, a Conclusion, an About the Author and finally an acknowledgment page amounting to several pages of information. Although it is relevant, this reviewer believes Brown would benefit from re-structuring the book into at least one more chapter describing the Medicine Wheel. That would also allow him more plates for his decent illustrations.
The editing and proofing of Awakening the Eagle, is very good. The continuity is exceptional within each section but the transitions between them would be improved by a little more explanation of how the different stages are encountered.
The book is very well written. It would be an asset to anyone interested in Native American spirituality and spirituality in general. This reviewer hopes that Brown will write more about these concepts.
Published by Book Surge (www.booksurge.com) (SRP $10.99/Amazon $10.99) Book for review sent by author.