Sacred Sweat Lodge
March 29, 30th & 31st (Easter)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Friday
Arrival: 9:30am
Sweat Lodge Ceremony: 10am
Community Potluck: 6pm
Talking/Healing Circle: 7:30pm
Saturday:
Arrival/Prepare Lodge: 9:30am
Sweat Lodge Ceremony: 11am
Community Potluck: 6pm
Sunday:
Arrival/Prepare Lodge: 1:30pm
Sweat Lodge Ceremony: 2pm
Community potluck (including leftovers): after lodge
Closing Circle
(*All schedule timing is approximate, except for arrival timing!)
There is some indoor overnight space available at Mettabee Farm if you are traveling from afar, or if you would just like to stay put during our gathering. Overnight spaces are cozy and beautiful communal style housing. There are showers and a fully stocked kitchen available during your stay. Space is limited, so please reserve space early. (Mettabee asks $25-$40/night per person, bring your own bedding.) Camping is $10 a night.
Meals will be communal potlucks for dinner, and for breakfast/lunch we are on our own. Feel free to make use of the community kitchen/fridge to store and cook your food/snacks. Hawthorne Valley Farm Store is also just a mile down the road with lots of yummy and healthy hot food options daily, a full organic bakery, produce, and other grocery items.
Please read the following information about our gathering, how to prepare & what to bring!
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 respectfully harvesting young tree
saplings, and then bending and weaving them 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 pit in the center where hot stones are placed. The stones are 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 medicines are placed
on the hot stones for healing. A pipe ceremony is held inside the lodge, with plenty of water and rest given to all in between each of the four prayer rounds. The sweat lodge is a very beautiful and deeply healing
ancient ceremony. This particular form of sweat lodge ceremony has been passed to us by spiritual Elder Grandfather Albert Ward (Mi’qmac/Algonquin) from the Redbank/Mirimichi region in New Brunswick, Canada (1941-2021), in the spiritual lineage of Grandfather Albert Lightning (Cree) from
Ontario. Grandfather Albert was a 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. His spiritual instructions were centered around bringing people together from all over the globe as one family to share in these teachings and ancient healing practices,
especially at this moment in time with Mother Earth. After studying with Grandfather Albert and the community that surrounded him for over 20 years, Grandmother Elizabeth was given 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 Algonquin/Mi’qmac traditions that Grandfather Albert came from and shared with us.
What to bring for ceremony:
-Pipe tobacco (8-10oz. each person—I recommend ordering online
here: https://www.pipesandcigars.com/p/virginia-gold-black-gold-pipe-tobacco/1485043/#p-170325)
-1/2 yard of plain cotton cloth in 7 different solid colors: red, white,
yellow, black, green, blue, purple (*optional, but best to have on hand in
case you need it) and also 1/2 inch plain ribbons (1 yard) in each of the
same colors listed above
-One towel for each lodge
-1 gallon of water (for 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
*Women on their ‘moon time’ (cycle) do not participate in the sweat
lodge ceremony.
*Important*: In preparation for entering the 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.
*Please feel free to ask any questions that may come up around
ceremonial traditions.
Exchange:
—$75/day is requested in support of our gathering. This helps
cover costs of firewood, blanket laundering, tools, tarps, offerings,
preparation, and all supplies, which includes an offering for use
and care of the land/space.
— Honorarium for lodgekeeper/Grandmother can be given by
donation.
—No one is turned away for lack of means to contribute
financially, though we all need to do our part so that the gathering
is carried by the whole community. Please inquire about work
exchange if needed.
—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)
All Welcome!
Contact Elizabeth Clark for More Information: grandmothersacredlodge@gmail.com