Solstice Sweat Lodge Retreat
Join us for a beautiful weekend of community gathering, shared healing, and Solstice celebration.
A sweat lodge is an ancient Native American purification and healing ceremony that involves entering the 'womb' of Mother Earth as a way to heal our body and spirit, as well as to heal, honor, and connect with our ancestors.
The lodge structure is created by bending young tree saplings together to create a kind of basket or wigwam, which is then covered with many colorful blankets to create a womb-like dark space. In the center of the lodge floor is a dug pit, where hot stones are placed and splashed with water to create a kind of earthen steam bath. Inside the lodge, we pray together, traditional songs are sung, and herbal medicines and incenses are placed on the hot stones to further cleanse and heal our body, mind, and spirit. A tobacco pipe ceremony is held inside the lodge, with water and rest given to all in between each of the 4 prayer rounds. The sweat lodge is a beautiful and healing ancient ceremony, conducted in a traditional, heart-centered, and sacred manner.
Many of the teachings shared within this practice are based on the ‘Medicine Wheel of Life’. This particular form of sweat lodge ceremony has been passed to share in a sacred way by spiritual elder Grandfather Albert Ward from the Mi’qmac (Algonquin) people in New Brunswick, Canada, in the spiritual lineage of Grandfather Albert Lightning (Cree) from Ontario. Grandfather Albert is a known healer and spiritual teacher who traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada for over 30 years, sharing teachings and ceremony with all people. After studying and traveling with Grandfather Albert for the last 20 years, our lodge-keeper Grandmother Elizabeth was given the teachings and spiritual preparations through her Elder to continue these ceremonial practices, leading sweat lodges, talking circles, and other traditional healing ceremony for all people.
Ceremonies are conducted throughout the Hudson Valley in small community gatherings, as well as within spiritual retreat centers, art communes, schools and colleges, drug rehabilitation centers, and anywhere else that may benefit from this form of prayer and healing.
Our weekend together will begin with a Welcome/Talking Circle Ceremony on Friday evening. We will hold sweat lodge ceremonies on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday evening, all are welcome to join us in the beautiful Mettabee Barn on premises for an uplifting Summer Solstice live music event with music by the collaborative world/sacred music ensemble 'Mamalama Y Andes Manta'.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Friday 6/19:
6:30 Arrival
7pm: Welcome/Talking Circle Ceremony
Saturday 6/20:
9:30 Arrival
10am: Sweat Lodge Ceremony
5pm: Dinner
7:30pm: Solstice Concert: Mamalama Y Andes Manta
Sunday 6/21:
10:30 Arrival
11:00am Sweat Lodge Ceremony
4pm: Closing Circle and "Giveaway"
Retreat Cost: $175/weekend (arriving Friday, departing Sunday)
$20/night additional for camping
Meals available at additional cost
CONCERT ONLY: $20 suggested donation (open to the general public)
What to bring:
-Pipe tobacco (8-10oz.)
-Towel for each lodge
-1/2 yard of plain cotton cloth in 7 different solid colors: red, white, yellow, black, green, blue, purple
-1 gallon of water
-A snack to eat before lodge
-Lodge Clothing:
Women: long, comfortable skirt and t-shirt, head scarf
Men: swim trunks, bandana
-Item for “Giveaway Blanket” (Any gently used or new item/simple gift)
*Important: In preparation for a sweat lodge ceremony all participants are asked to refrain from the use of any alcohol or recreational drugs at least 4 days and 4 nights prior to attending.
Pre-registration for retreat is required.
Reserve early, as space is limited.
For registration, please contact:
grandmothersacredlodge@gmail.com
845-443-6650