The Sweat Lodge

The Sweat lodge, also called the stone peoples lodge, is a ceremony conducted to cleanse our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. By bringing together the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) we create the breath of the grandfathers and grandmothers. Through sweatingand praying we are able to clean our bodies of toxins, our minds of negativities, our hearts of hatred and all the feelings that come from hatred, and our spirits of doubt. This ceremony helps us come into a better relationship with ourselves and everthing around us.
 Before the sweat the fire keeper puts the rocks in the fire pit and builds the fire over them. When they are glowing hot, the sweat is ready to begin. The fire keeper takes a rock from the fire for each of the directions, for the earth mother, for the sky father, and for the creator. He then carries them in a clockwise/sunwise direction around the fire pit, and then places them in a pit in the center of the lodge. Additional rocks are put inside. Water is placed on the rocks and the sweat begins. The leader makes the prayers for each of the directions. Songs are offered. Others may offer their prayers. After four rounds we exit the lodge. The sweat is one of the most powerful native ceremonies. It should only be conducted by people well trained in its form and spiritual substance.
 It is very important to note that it is a great honor to be invited to a sweat and that this ceremony was given to the First Nations People. Many Native People have now come to a point where thay are willing to include non-natives because the Creator sees no color.The 4 directions are also the four faces of man ie:Yellow, red, Black and White. If you are invited to a sweat it is important to know why you are personally going. You need to take the Elder an offering. Some Medicines, Tobacco, food, even money and hand it to them while you are shaking their hand. tell them why you have come. Some of you may say "why is this guy saying to offer cash?" Well the answer is quite simple it is needed. These Elders do this work without charging a fee and take care of us out of faith. We need to take care of them and to respect them. If you go to a sweat go early and offer to help. Watch what is being done and do it. The firekeeper will let you know if they don't want your help but most will be glad to see you making an effort and completing the circle. When you come out of the sweat drink lots of water and cool off in the river or lake depending on where you are. You can email me if you are in the south east US and want to attend a sweat. I am connected to 3 separate lodges and would be willing to take you provided that we talked so I had a sense of where you are coming from. Finally if you wish you were native don't bother contacting me. You must be proud of who you are and your origins. I have a great deal of respect for Natives but they are people. I do not worship people.We all walk on the same ground and on the same level as the Creator.
All My Relations, CircleMan.......