Things You'll Need:
- a clearing
- a bonfire
- 12 rocks
- a bucket of water
- a shovel, pitch fork
- a few economy sleeping bags.
- a small hatchet
-
Step 1
I strongly Recommend that you seek out a Native American Elder to learn about this very sacred ceremony. The Sweat Lodge is a Native American ceremonial sauna or steam bath used to purify and re-connect with the spiritual source of all life. If you ever have the opportunity to experience this sacred ceremony with a Native Elder this would be best. In the mean time you can learn a lot about Native American spirituality by reading about the sweat lodge ceremony and practices online.
-
Step 2
I built my first sweat lodge in Virgina with a Blackfoot Elder, but my first sweat lodge ceremony took place along the Gatineau River in Quebec. To build a lodge a flat clearing at the edge of a stream or river is best. The Elder usually has all the supplies needed in a small sack, including ceremonial pipe and tobacco.
-
Step 3
Set out into the woods to find long straight poles of very pliable saplings (20' long). Willow or poplar saplings are best. The longer and straighter the better. Once you have gathered about 20 or so come back to the clearing and trace out a 10' diameter circle on the ground. Place the thick end of the poles into the earth and bend them to form a dome structure and wrap the joints with twine to secure them in place. The door is facing the east. The rising sun.
-
Step 4
Dig out a 3' deep hole in the center of the lodge and remove the earth. Locate 12 stones (about 6" dia.) and prepare a large bon fire about 10' away from the lodge. Create a crib structure out of hardwood to hold the stones above the fire. Light the bonfire and start to heat the rocks.
-
Step 5
Cover the lodge structure with overlapping sleeping blankets and heavy canvas. The original sweat lodges used skins and other heavy materials to make sure that none of the heat or steam escaped. Once the lodge is completely sealed and air tight collect the red-hot stones (using a pitchfork) and carry them into the lodge.
-
Step 6
The (extremely hot) stones are placed carefully into the hole in the center of the circle. As soon as everyone enters the lodge (clockwise), the door flaps are closed. The ceremony is performed in 4 cycles. The Elder sprinkles tobacco over the hot stones and the aroma fills the lodge.
-
Step 7
At the beginning of each cycle water is poured over the rocks.
Cycle 1: The Elder offers prayers to the four directions, Grandfather/ God and Mother Earth.
Cycle 2: Prayers for the universe, the four-legged, the winged, the plants, the water spirits and all of mankind.
Cycle 3: Prayers for all taking part in the ceremony and their love circles.
Cylce 4: Prayers for the strength everyone needs to live each day, for peace in the world for all.
The elder then adds a piece of sage into the Pipe bowl and first offers the Pipe to the four directions, Grandfather/God and Mother Earth.
Comments
massagegrrl said
on 6/1/2009 I have been a love for things as Turkish Bath HOuses, Hammams, Temascal and I am proud to say that I had just experienced a sweat lodge and completely inlove..The others were great for spa purposes but the sweat lodge was something so personal for me. I am on this site because i have been dreaming of creating something to it for years and moved to a house had a dream to place stones that I have had at the four corners, a shaman had told me that I will build one and after the sweat lodge expereince I dreamt of building one for my back yard for those I already help in healing in their transitions.. and what tripped me out the most I have willow with many branches giving itself to me for it...I completely agree that this is a sacred ceremony to be respected and not commercialized and it has been a calling..
nativetothebone said
on 3/18/2009 helping to heal others is good,but in order to help in a good way,one should be sought out to help. When we disregard the sincerity and sacredness of these ways by throwing it out there and saying this is what you need to do,we disregard the true compassion and sincerity of these ways. Also open it up to judgement and critisism of others who know nothing of what it means to be native american.Although when I pray I pray for a good life and good health for all,especially our children, women, and elders.
offgrid said
on 3/17/2009 That's why I recommend you introduce yourself to an elder and enquire. Learn about these traditions and sacred ways. There is much to learn. If we have ways to help heal the world we should share this.
nativetothebone said
on 3/16/2009 If you don't live your life in a dedicated and sacred way, every day, don't play with these ways. this is not a tourist or spectator thing. also a very personal and sacred relationship between a person and the creator. if your not willing to change your life in a in a way that is hard and no longer your own a person shouldn't even cofuse or hurt themselves or others by playing around with this. Every nation of people are given to them by the creator a way to live, all should heed that.
offgrid said
on 1/19/2009 Paganlord: Thanks for posting your comment. I agree 100 %. I only recommend doing a sweat ceremony with an Elder (Step1) The best rocks are called "peridotite" (peridotite is a dense, coarse-grained igneous rock igneous rock, better yet - buy your rocks from a place that makes or sells sauna kits. Best of all - see if you can meet a Native American Elder who would be willing to include you in the sweat ceremony. I will add these comments to tips and warnings.