This is a deeply personal reflection where I speak from the heart about medicine wheels and sacred relationship. It flows more like a story than a lesson - so I invite you to sit with it as you would a ceremonial fire. Let it unfold in its own rhythm - like a circle story. I share a deeper meaning behind the medicine wheel I illustrated for The Ultimate Guide to Shamanism, and why it’s important to honour not only the teachings we receive, but the land we live on, the spirits we meet, and the relationships we build ourselves. Inspired by the story of a fox, Grandmother Sage, and the living spirits around my home in England, I invite you to begin crafting your own sacred circle — one that’s rooted in where you are, not just in what you’ve been taught. This is a call to honour the deeper relationships available to you, right on your own doorstep. In this video, I touch on:

• The diversity of medicine wheels across cultures

• Why you don’t need to abandon traditional teachings to honour your own path

• Building conscious relationship with land, plant, and animal spirits

• Sacred space, sovereignty, autonomy and soul evolution

🌿 Whether you’re new to the concept or deep in your spiritual path, this is an invitation to listen more closely to what you are truly calling into your sacred space — and to build meaningful relationships with the spirits around you, so you can discern whether they are true Allies, or not. This conversation expands beyond the confines of the traditional sense of the Medicine Wheel and invites you to consider the sacred circle as a reflection of your entire life.

❔ If you have any specific questions about anything I’ve spoken about, please pop them below. Let’s continue the conversation.

This video is part of a larger series of question-and-answer reflections from Roberta Orpwood, the shamanic practitioner and medicine artist behind SoulBird Art.

Today's Question: What is the Medicine Wheel? With love and gratitude, SoulBird