Representing the womb of Mother Earth, the lodge is covered with plastic, blankets, and a tarp to keep the heat and steam from escaping and to create a sacred black light facilitating ‘clear vision’. Outside the lodge, a Sacred Fire is built to heat the rocks. The fire is built in a very sacred manner and is, itself, a very sacred ceremony.  Nothing is to be done or added to the fire unless guided to do so by the lodge leader. 

The rocks have been in a fire condition at one time long ago. As they are heated, the energy that they have stored for eons will be changed forever. Once inside the lodge, water is poured on them and their energy is released through the steam. We honor the stones that are willing to give their energy to us at this time for our healing so that we too may be changed forever.
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As we enter the lodge, we are humble and modest. We wear clothes in the lodge. Most choose to wear T-shirts, shorts, or light sweatpants. As we enter, we kneel, connecting to the earth and we say “Mitakuye Oasin”. This is Lakota for “All our relations” or “We are all related”. Phonetically it sounds like “Me-talk-we-aw-sin”. When we enter we move to the left following the leader and come to rest once the leader has made it completely around the circle and everyone is inside.

The “door” is then closed and everyone is given a moment to become accustomed to the dark and their surroundings. The leader begins by offering prayers. The ‘door’ is then lifted and the firekeeper brings in the first round of hot stones. The firekeeper is chosen by the leader on the day of the ceremony. The stones are then placed in a pit that has been dug out of the center of the lodge.

There will be four rounds of prayer; each round represents a direction, an animal, an element, and energy. The leader will guide you through each round of prayers. At the end of each round the ‘door’ is lifted and more stones are brought in. Throughout the ceremony, the lodge leader will be pouring water on the hot stones as she is guided to do so. As a result, it will become hot and steamy in the lodge.

Participants are encouraged to stay throughout the entire ceremony. However, anyone is free to leave at any time if they become too uncomfortable. If this happens, the participant should simply call out and the ceremony will be halted temporarily to allow the person to leave. Once outside, the person is welcome to stay by the fire as it is understood that the healing benefits of the ceremony will still be experienced by that person.  There is no shame in leaving.  Everyone experiences healing in different ways and is welcome and honored for their presence and participation.  For those of you who choose to participate in this Sacred Ceremony with me, I ask only that you bring an open heart, a sincere attitude, and a willingness to share. 

When the four rounds of prayers are finished, we emerge reborn and now it is time to celebrate and share in a feast of potluck!  We then honor the eldest among us by allowing them to choose first from the Give-Away blanket. After the eldest has chosen then everyone else takes turns choosing, continuing in order from eldest to youngest.

Before the ceremony participants will have been instructed to place an offering brought to the Creator/Creatrix in gratitude for the healing that is about to be experienced. Our offering is something that has value and meaning to us, making sacred with sincere generosity the celebration we are about to experience. Some examples of what people offer are crystals, candles, CDs, jewelry, books, art, or something that they have crafted. For those participants who are healing practitioners, an offering of a session allows you the opportunity to honor Spirit with your own creative gifts and provides another with the opportunity to experience further healing. These, of course, are only suggestions. Please bring whatever it is you are guided to.

A $60 ‘love offering’ donation per person is requested to offset the cost incurred for initial and ongoing supplies including lodge coverings, herbs, twine, tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and firewood as well as acknowledgment and gratitude for the energy spent in preparation for and during the ceremony.

Things to Bring:  An open heart, clothes to sweat in, a change of clothes for after the Sweat (showers are provided for everyone so bring a towel), a towel or blanket to sit on during the ceremony, your ‘love offering’ donation, an item for the Give-Away blanket, and a fully prepared dish in a serving bowl/container for the potluck feast (utensils, napkins and beverages will be provided).