The Four Shields

This practice builds trust in change, reduces struggle and builds personal resilience, leading to a more balanced life

The Four Shields of human wholeness is a nature-based cyclical model that helps people understand and navigate different phases of life and transformation

What Is the Four Shields Model?

The Four Shields of human wholeness represent a nature-based cyclical framework that helps individuals navigate various stages of life—from childhood to elderhood (or as I teach: from birth to death)—and through the periods of crisis, change, and transformation encountered in daily living.

This model aids in identifying which phase of a natural development cycle one is currently in and offers guidance on the tasks that need attention.

By accepting the current phase, embodying its requirements, and understanding its limitations, individuals can embrace the change process rather than expend energy resisting it. Fully experiencing the present phase (shield) lays the groundwork for a smooth transition into the next one.

Over time, this practice builds trust in change, reduces struggle and builds personal resilience, leading to a more balanced life.

Origin and Influences of the Four Shields Model

The Four Shields model stems from observing transformation processes in nature. For centuries, humans have studied their environments, noticing that all change follows similar cyclical patterns.

Many cultures have developed their own cyclical models (wheels) to illustrate the connections between different elements and phases of transformation.

I studied the Four Shields model during wilderness-based rite of passage training at the School of Lost Borders schooloflostborders.org and Wild Mountain wildmountainretreats.org .

My teachings are based on these nature-based cyclical models and I have found them to be an invaluable companion in my practice as an artist, death doula and guide.

How Does the Four Shields Practice Work?

The Four Shields model integrates three key attributes that influence all living beings: the day-night cycle, the annual cycle, and the cardinal directions.

It associates qualities experienced and expressed by animals, humans, plants, and ecosystems across different phases, creating a framework to illustrate the transitions between various stages of the natural cycle.

Image illustrating the Four Shields methodology

How Can the Four Shields Be Used to Expand Our Personal Lives?

Before exploring their applications, it’s beneficial to relate the abstract characteristics of the Shields to real-life experiences. This connection helps us understand how these cycles manifest not only in natural rhythms but also in our daily lives.

By applying these cycles to our experiences, we can link different life stages, thresholds of change, ways of “stuckness”, ways of knowing, anxieties, desires, and addictions to the four phases. And through experience, guiding, and time move through the wheel to experience whole, newly empowered aspects of ourselves.

While the associations listed are just a few examples, many, many more exist.

This model of experiencing ourselves as interrelated aspects of the natural cycles of living gives us a framework, an architecture to move through, around and across life’s challenges and changes.