Please read completely to be prepared for this sacred ceremony.
You are invited to a sacred ceremony on Oct. 24, 2015.
Address to be announced once you have registered. Please join the Face Book event and then send a message with your email address to soulmedicinelodge@gmail.com. You will be registered and an email sharing how to prepare and what to bring as well as the forms you need to bring with you will be sent a couple of days prior to ceremony.
Ceremony occurs independent of the weather.
REGISTRATION: click that you are going to the event as pre-registration. Message your email address and you will be sent an email that confirms your registration.
CHECK IN: Check in starts at 9AM. Once the fire is lit please do not take pictures as the ceremony has begun and we ask that to honor this ceremony and our ancestors with deep introspection and respect.
Before being allowed onto the ceremonial grounds you must:
-Sign in at the registration counter
-Receive your red string
-Present and/or sign the release forms (you must sign a separate release for every sweat you attend)
PARKING: Parking space is limited.
FEES:
AS ALWAYS, THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THE SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY.
DONATIONS AND GIFTS:
Sweat Lodge ceremonies are supported through the monetary donations of our friends and those who attend the Lodge. Donations include money and/or gifts of sacred herbs such as sage, bear root, tobacco, sweet grass and cedar. Please remember that your monetary donations help insure that the lodge continues to be available and if you can give more, then those who can't give are provided for. Additional gifts are welcome for the Fire keepers as they perform a vital function of the lodge and do so at their own expense of time and energy.
Many expenses have been incurred in the building of this Lodge and there are ongoing maintenance needs; a green energy cash donation is appreciated because of the costs of herbs, lodge coverings, wood, stone people, tobacco, etc. Eventually we would like to build a bath house and gathering house by the Lodge and all donations will be put towards all of the above items.
Fire Crew Medicine gifts; The fire crew will be traveling from Blue Ridge. Tobacco is the Plant World's gift and your connection with spirit that signifies your intent and appreciation to those that hold the space for you to do ceremony. The smoke from tobacco signifies our prayers/intent going to spirit.
Additional gifts are welcome for the Fire keepers.
NEEDS:
The Lodge is in need of some items and so you may have some of these in your garage or you may know a company that would donate some items since it is a tax write off for them. We are in need of:
Natural Fiber Blankets (recycled cotton) - you can get these at U-haul
Canopy tent
Shed
Out house
Wood to build a meeting house and screws
If you can help or donate the item or funds to assist we would be grateful. Please share with your friends and see if they may be able to help us too.
Thank you for any assistance.
FRIDAY WORK ASSISTANCE:
There is a lot of work that goes into the creating the space for sacred ceremony. Each Friday before Lodge we have a work day from 10 am until approx. 5pm.
Traditionally those who were attending Lodge would help prepare for ceremony. We invite you to come out and join us in preparing for this Ceremony.
ABOUT THE CEREMONY:
Each Lodge holds a different perspective and energy based on the Moon. We are now in the midst of the "Little Chestnut moon (otowoskucee)" and we are moving into the "Harvest moon (duninhdi)" (Cherokee) and otowoskv-rakko (Creek) This "moon-mood" will remind us that the the harvest is beginning and is plentiful. This helps us to get in touch with the Soul Self within. We see the beauty as Mother Earth and the Creator show us a beautiful landscape of changing colors. This shows us the many colors that we as beings exhibit. We see we are multi- faceted and to allow our lights and colors to shine forth with grace and ease. As we allow the Creator to guide us through this time we open to be conscious co-creators and remember to create a world in harmony with all our relations.
A Sweat Lodge ceremony is an ancient purification ceremony used by different cultures, especially indigenous peoples around the world, to worship our God Creator and to honor Mother Earth and our relationship with all living things on our planet (All Our Relations). This powerful ceremony is used for purification and healing, and works on many different levels, but especially our physical and emotional body, mind and spirit.
The Sweat Lodge ceremony, conducted is called the "Little Boy/Little Girl Lodge" or "Young Men's Lodge," and is very gentle. The elders of Cheyenne/Arapaho tribes passed down this traditional ceremony to encourage teenagers and young children to participate in lodges so they could begin to learn from this amazing healing ceremony early in life.
DURING THE LODGE CEREMONY:
No items are brought inside the Lodge besides a towel and natural sacred non-metal items. (no water bottles are to brought inside the lodge)
A Sweat Lodge ceremony usually begins with prayers being said around the sacred fire, followed by an offering of tobacco. After the conclusion of prayers, participants enter the lodge one at a time. After everyone is in the lodge, the fire-keeper will bring in lava or granite rocks, called "Stone People," or "Grandfathers," that have been heated. There are usually seven stones brought in at the beginning of each "round". Sacred herbs such as sage, cedar, sweet grass and bear root are burned on the Grandfathers for cleansing, and we bless ourselves with the power of these medicines.
When we close the door to the Sweat Lodge, everything (whether positive or negative) about our lives, is intensified. Sometimes beautiful thoughts and memories arise, and sometimes symptoms from an uncomfortable or difficult time will rise up within us for healing. We pray and sing together to the four directions, focusing our attention on the great mystery of life, as we surrender ourselves to the Great Spirit, our God Creator.
As our hearts begin to open, we experience the healing powers of Fire, Water, Earth and Air. The power of these four elements keeps us and All Our Relations alive, and the teachings of the four directions-the East, South, West and North-bring us knowledge and wisdom.
It is suggested for entering into this Lodge the "womb of the mother" that first-time participants serve the lodge from being 'around' her and interacting with her spirit to feel the power, heart and intensity of the creation process along with their own specific divine instructions on where and how best to serve the greater community, before placing themselves in the position of being allowed to enter the lodge to be deeply challenged by the "Great Mystery". If this is your first time and you feel called inside the Lodge, please speak to the Lodge Keeper and share your heart as we are only making a suggestion for this being a first time experience.
Remember, everyone present during the lodge ceremony, whether 'inside' or 'outside' is said to be "In the lodge" or "doing the lodge", the ceremony is all pervasive. The lodge is after all a "way" of life. Our own particular medicine walk while here on earth. Our interpretation of the highest characteristics and qualities of what it means to be human.
We would ask that the supporters assist people coming out of Lodge as they may be in need of water and guidance.
HOW TO PREPARE:
24 hours in advance begin hydrating which is drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water. Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol, drugs (unless prescribed) and heavy meals including meat or heavy carbs. Some people wish to fast the day of the Lodge, which is up to the individual, but would not be suggested for Diabetics or others with blood sugar issues. If you don't want to fast the day of lodge it is suggested that you stick to raw fruits and vegetables.
Moon Time:
Generally, women who are experiencing their Moon-time do not enter into the Lodge, but support from outside and offer prayers and songs. Everyone who comes is a part of this healing ceremony whether you enter into the Lodge or you support outside.
If you want to support from outside the Lodge and sing, pray, play the flute or drum this is all being a part of the ceremony. We would ask that the supporters assist people coming out of Lodge as they may be disoriented and in need of water and guidance.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Men traditionally wear shorts or swim trunks in a Lodge, and women wear lightweight cotton dresses or skirts, and modest tops with sleeves. All Clothing worn inside the Lodge will be wet and should be changed before our feast.
WHAT TO BRING:
1. Several water bottles,
2. 2 towels,
3. Sandals or flip-flops,
4. A complete change of clothes.
5. A flashlight if the sun isn't in the sky during the ceremony.
6. A chair if you don't want to sit on the ground.
7. Bug Spray or Sunscreen depending on the time of year.
8. Clothes appropriate for weather, Rain, Cold, Hot depending on time of year.
9. If you wear contact lenses please bring case to take them out before going inside the Lodge and solution.
10. A bag to place wet clothes and items.
11. An umbrella for shade if needed during the summer months.
12. A vegetarian (no meat including fish) community dish to share. A community dish is a large dish that feeds at least 10 or more people. Examples would be casseroles, soups, large salads, lasagna etc. We celebrate with a feast as the final part of the healing ceremony! Bring something substantial enough to help everyone get grounded and feel supported after the healing in the Lodge. Please remember to bring serving utensils for your dish and maybe additional napkins or water to share.
13. Drums, flutes and rattles are welcome at the ceremony, and any other objects you would like to have blessed, such as feathers, crystals, herbs, etc. may be placed on the Sweat Lodge altar beforehand.
Remember, everyone present during the lodge ceremony, whether 'inside' or 'outside' is said to be "In the lodge" or "doing the lodge", the ceremony is all pervasive. The lodge is after all a "way" of life. Our own particular medicine walk while here on earth. Our interpretation of the highest characteristics and qualities of what it means to be human.
We would ask that the supporters assist people coming out of Lodge as they may be in need of water and guidance.
Please be mindful this is a full day of sacred ceremony and healing practices so unplug for the day. We encourage no use of electronics for the entire day unless absolutely necessary. This will allow the full power of the Lodge to integrate fully into your energetic flow.
Ceremonies occur independent of the weather.