Westtown Native American Medicine Wheel Healing Plant and Butterfly Garden

The Native American Medicine Wheel is sometimes called the Sacred Hoop: a symbol of life’s cycles of birth and renewal. This garden takes its inspiration from the shape of the medicine wheel—a symbol of sacred ceremonial space and a valuable healing place. The basic design for this garden takes the form of two overlapping circles with paths that allow free movement through the garden. The paths divide the garden into four sections, each showing the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). Native healing plants and other native plants that attract butterflies are placed according to their blossom, fruit, or foliage colors that match the color symbolizing each direction. The four cardinal directions and the center are logical points of focus, peace, and reflection. A pole marks the outside end of each direction. Each class rededicated the garden in an annual fall ceremony by tying ribbons of the designated color to these poles.

All grades participate in the planting of the garden in the fall and spring through science classes. Each grade visits the garden three times per term. Students are assigned one of the four sections and learn about a specific plant. Their work is gathered together as a guide to the garden for visitors. Lessons this year have focused on sacred space, symbols associated with the cardinal directions, seeds, transplanting, and composting. The fourth grade studies Native Americans and will spend more time learning Native American approaches to healing. Next year, when the plants have matured, students will focus on the healing properties of plants, and making remedies (teas, healing creams, syrups). The early grades, which study butterflies, will use the garden plants to learn about the butterfly life cycle and its relationship to plant life.

Parents are involved through a Garden Affiliate program. Affiliates "adopt" sections, weed and maintain the garden during the summer months, and do back up work to student care during the school year. Parents, teachers, and a few students worked together in the Summer of 1999 to prepare the soil and install the garden so that it was ready for planting Fall 1999. Students did 90% of the planting.

The garden is located in the front of the school where children pass every day. Their direct participation and the garden’s presence provide:

• A beautiful space to sit quietly and think
• A place to study native butterflies, native plants, and Native American healing plants and practices
• A garden for the senses: Sight (color), smell (good odors of the plants given off when we touch the leaves), touch (textures), taste (harvesting plants to use as tea), and sound (peaceful, natural music of the garden