Sweatlodge

Ritual sweating is a physical and mental cleansing practice, a powerful introspection tool that enables us to connect to our source, releasing that which no longer serves us and receiving that which we need to move forward in our spiritual growth. It is a positive form of therapy for a wide variety of conditions ranging from addiction to stress relief. The Sweat Lodge may include the making of prayers or declarations, chanting, singing or drumming to create a ritual with spiritual or healing intent.

Sweat practices differ slightly amongst cultures; however they all share the elements of purification, prayer and deep connection to life. In most traditions, this powerful ceremony is a place of spirit where one goes to cleanse the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body, to pray and to sing.

All sense of race, colour and religion disappear in the heat and darkness of the lodge. In the womb of Mother Earth, we are all the same and have the ability to sit with the Great Spirit. It is a place to seek answers and guidance. As the steam rises so do our senses and our prayers. In the heat and darkness of the lodge we can come closer to ourselves, the Creator, and to understanding each other.

Inside our lodge, we sing songs learned in this line of the Condor and the Eagle, songs praising the Grandfathers and Grandmothers. Many of the songs show appreciation for creation; clearing away obstructions to clarity and growth. They lift our spirits and call upon helper beings, the ancestors and Creator. Each round or Quarter last for approximately half an hour, but on occasions can last as long as a hour. So, we are inside the Lodge for two to three hours.

There is a fire keeper who tends the sacred fire and carries the hot stones into the lodge. The stones used represent Earth as both Grandmother and Mother, and are symbols of endurance in the same manner in which the Earth endures. They are alive, stone absorbs the essence & power of fire and when water is splashed on them in the lodge, the steam or produced is considered powerful and holy, the visible symbol of Creator's Breath. Finns call this vapor "loyly", spirit of life.

The Sacred Fire is honoured as teacher, the Fire is the Grandfather & takes our prayers to the Great Spirit. Before the Lodge begins we have time to center ourselves around the Fire, this is a time to Pray, meditate & listen to the teachings of the fire.

The greater underlying intention in all such ceremonies is to acknowledge, feel and experience our spirit bodies. When groups of people come together and focus their intent, it becomes a potentially powerful and creative situation. By doing these ceremonies we gently weave a web of connections between those present and all of our Relations (all of creation).

Links:
Calendar of Sweat Lodges & other events at Sunmoon House.
Photos of the Sweat Lodges that we have built over the past 15 years.
Physical Benefits Of the Sweat Lodge
The Women’s Moon Sweat Lodge

Today, Ni & Leeane work together with the Sunmoon Lodge. Ni has been running Sweat Lodges since 1993, learning from the teachers that have come to South Africa from North & South America. Also, receiving much inspiration & insight from African Shaman Credo Mutwa about the African Sweat Hut.

Ni & Leeane travel annually to Brazil to learn from the medicine people there & are learning more about the Temazcal of South America, through participation in the Sun Dance and medicine ceremonies, with the Native Medicines Alliance and other communities in Brasil. They are both committed to the Red Path & Sun Dance in Brasil, and wish to bring much of what they have learned into the community in South Africa through the Sunmoon Lodge (Our circle) and the Sun Dance.