Sweat Lodge
Yes, I have done sweat lodge. Once. And I plan to attend again. And I recommend it.
When I was invited, the message was very respectful, “I want you to know that this is a very protected space, no creepy folks, no nakedness, I know everyone attending and I can vouch for each one.”
The space is on Cowlitz tribal land and there is much symbolism in the layout. The structure is a dome wigwam; the number of ribs (five) is symbolic; heavy blankets make the walls; the opening is to the east (the direction of sunrise; the direction of new beginnings); there is an ‘umbilical’ line to the east of the opening that you should not cross because it leads to the fire where the stones — and the stones are the ancestors — are being heated.
Since I’ve only been once, I can only describe how this program was run. I have been told that another type, a “warrior sweat” is a crazy situation where they bring in a ton of stones (like 40) at a time and pour a whole bucket of water on... Sounds like macho stupid to me, and I’ve heard men say it really goes against the purpose of a sweat lodge for purity and strength, because those ‘warriors’ come out as really exhausted specimens.
Anyway, the program I attended started with a ceremony outside, a passing of the pipe and I’m probably forgetting some important points. The sacred nature of the gathering was recognized, and only positive thoughts were expected.
Inside, we had four rounds. Each round had seven ancestors passed in, blessed with sweetgrass and other medicines, and placed in the pit (no active fire inside the sweat lodge). Ladles of water were gradually added during the round, and anyone could ask for the door (the flap) to be opened at any time if they felt the needed it. Our time there, if I remember, ran about three hours.
Round one was a welcoming round. Bob, the leader, gave his welcomes, and then in a circle each person said whatever came to them.
Break to open the door, and then we continued.
Round two was thanks.
Round three was prayers for healing. Healing specific people, healing Mother Earth, healing our communities, healing our nation, everything.
Round four was to honor women. Specific women, ancestors, Mother Earth again. Partway through this last round I was hugging the coolness of Mother Earth, the damp soil we sat on, and I made it through.
It’s called sweat for a very good reason. We drank lots of water throughout.
And then we had a little potluck of mostly healthy foods.
When I was invited, the message was very respectful, “I want you to know that this is a very protected space, no creepy folks, no nakedness, I know everyone attending and I can vouch for each one.”
The space is on Cowlitz tribal land and there is much symbolism in the layout. The structure is a dome wigwam; the number of ribs (five) is symbolic; heavy blankets make the walls; the opening is to the east (the direction of sunrise; the direction of new beginnings); there is an ‘umbilical’ line to the east of the opening that you should not cross because it leads to the fire where the stones — and the stones are the ancestors — are being heated.
Since I’ve only been once, I can only describe how this program was run. I have been told that another type, a “warrior sweat” is a crazy situation where they bring in a ton of stones (like 40) at a time and pour a whole bucket of water on... Sounds like macho stupid to me, and I’ve heard men say it really goes against the purpose of a sweat lodge for purity and strength, because those ‘warriors’ come out as really exhausted specimens.
Anyway, the program I attended started with a ceremony outside, a passing of the pipe and I’m probably forgetting some important points. The sacred nature of the gathering was recognized, and only positive thoughts were expected.
Inside, we had four rounds. Each round had seven ancestors passed in, blessed with sweetgrass and other medicines, and placed in the pit (no active fire inside the sweat lodge). Ladles of water were gradually added during the round, and anyone could ask for the door (the flap) to be opened at any time if they felt the needed it. Our time there, if I remember, ran about three hours.
Round one was a welcoming round. Bob, the leader, gave his welcomes, and then in a circle each person said whatever came to them.
Break to open the door, and then we continued.
Round two was thanks.
Round three was prayers for healing. Healing specific people, healing Mother Earth, healing our communities, healing our nation, everything.
Round four was to honor women. Specific women, ancestors, Mother Earth again. Partway through this last round I was hugging the coolness of Mother Earth, the damp soil we sat on, and I made it through.
It’s called sweat for a very good reason. We drank lots of water throughout.
And then we had a little potluck of mostly healthy foods.
How did you feel after the ceremony?
ReplyDeletePhysically really good — and my skin was super soft.
DeleteMentally/spiritually: alive, calm, happy, open