The sweat lodge is an ancient Native American purification and healing ceremony where we enter the 'womb' of Mother Earth as a way to heal and to pray, as well as to heal, honor, and connect with our ancestors. Our lodge is heart-centered and held in a traditional Mi'kmaq way, passed on to us by Mi'kmaq/Alonguin Elder, Grandfather Albert Ward.
All are most welcome to join us.
Schedule
1:30pm
Arrival, welcome circle, preparing for ceremony
2pm
Ceremony begins, fire starts.
*As many of you may already know, it is difficult to define an ending time for a ceremony.
It seems most ease-ful to clear the day, and to count on being finished
around dinnertime---perhaps even a bit after.
Following our lodge, we will have a potluck meal together in the beautiful Mettabee hive/community kitchen. Please bring along a prepared dish of any kind to share.
For anyone traveling from afar, there is ample beautiful space for camping out on the land at Mettabee, and some indoor overnight space may be available as well. Let me know if you need more info about that.
Please RSVP
grandmothersacredlodge@gmail.com
More info about our sweat lodge, what to bring, etc. read bellow.
Feel free to email or call with any questions!
Looking forward to being in Ceremony together!
About the Sweat Lodge Ceremony
The sweat lodge is an ancient Native American purification and healing ceremony where we enter the 'womb' of Mother Earth as a way to heal and to pray, as well as to heal, honor, and connect with our ancestors.
The lodge structure is created by harvesting and bending young tree saplings together to create a kind of large basket or wigwam. This structure is then covered with many colorful blankets to create a womb- like, darkened space, like a big pregnant belly. Inside of the lodge, there is a dug-out pit in the center of the lodge ground. This is where hot stones are placed, which are then splashed with water to create a kind of earthen steam bath. Inside the lodge, we pray together, we hear and share stories and prayers, traditional songs are sung, and wild plant medicine/incense is placed on the hot stones for healing. A sacred tobacco pipe ceremony is held inside the lodge, with plenty of water and rest given to all in between each of the 4 prayer rounds. The sweat lodge is a very beautiful and healing ancient ceremony. It is conducted in a traditional, heart-centered, and sacred manner.
This particular form of Sweat Lodge ceremony has been passed to us by spiritual elder Grandfather Albert Ward (Mi’qmac/Algonquin) from the Mirimichi region in New Brunswick, Canada (1941-2021), in the spiritual lineage of Grandfather Albert Lightning (Cree) from Ontario. Grandfather Albert was a well-known, much-loved and gifted healer and spiritual teacher who traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada for over 30 years sharing teachings and healing ceremony with people from all over the world. After studying with Grandfather Albert and the community that surrounded him for over 20 years, ‘Grandmother’ Elizabeth was given the teachings and spiritual preparations through her Elder to carry and continue with these ceremonial practices, leading sweat lodges, talking circles, and other traditional healing ceremonies. All ceremonies are conducted in a heart- centered and sacred manner, honoring the Mi’qmac traditions that Grandfather Albert came from and shared with us.
What to Bring
-Pipe tobacco (8-10oz. each person)
-One towel for each lodge
-1/2 yard of plain cotton cloth in 7 different solid colors : red, white, yellow, black, green, blue, purple (*optional, but good to have on hand):
-1 gallon of water (for lodge/community) -A snack to eat before lodge
-Personal water bottle
-Warm clothing and sturdy outdoor shoes that can handle mud, forest, all elements of nature
-Dry change of clothes for use after each sweat lodge
Lodge Attire & Preparation
Women: long, comfortable skirt and t-shirt or long dress, head scarf Men: swim trunks (no metal zippers), head bandana
*Important: In preparation for entering the sweat lodge ceremony, all
participants are invited to refrain from the use of any alcohol or recreational drugs at least 4 days and 4 nights prior to attending.
-Women on their ‘moon time’ (cycle) do not participate in the sweat lodge ceremony, but may participate in Circle.
(*Please free to ask any questions about any of the traditions around ceremony. )
Exchange
—$75/day is requested in support of the retreat upon registration. This helps cover costs of firewood, blanket laundering, offerings, and supplies.
—Honorarium for lodge-keeper is by donation.
—Registration and donations can be sent electronically, or with cash/check placed in basket upon arrival. (*Venmo: @mama- lama 845-443-6650/ Paypal: mamalama777@aol.com)
—No one is turned away for lack of means to contribute financially. Please inquire if needed.
Food
—We will have a community potluck meal after the ceremony. Please bring an already prepared main-course dish for sharing in the post-sweat lodge potluck. Something simple that can just be warmed/tossed/easily assembled etc. is great!! (ex. casserole, soup, salad, etc.)
—Feel free to bring along a bagged lunch and snacks for the day.
—There is refrigerator space available, and an oven/stovetop to warm meals as needed.