The Sweat Lodge Ceremony
The Sweat Lodge is an ancient Native American Ceremony of prayer and purification. The Sweat Lodge is a very physical way to pray. It is a shamanic way in that we go away from the everyday world and go back to the mother, the earth, so that we can commune with spirit to bring healing and ritual back to our everyday world. We heat rocks in a fire and bring the glowing hot rocks into the center of the lodge. When the lodge is closed, we pour water on the rocks and pray. Our prayer may be in word or song or sometimes in silence. Afterward we gather for a pot luck feast.
Together
with a community of friends, I have maintained a standing lodge at my home in Malvern, Pennsylvania since
1995. Here we do the sacred sweat lodge ceremony in
the way taught to us by Beautiful Painted Arrow, Joseph Rael, whose vision has inspired us.
Each month we host three scheduled sweat lodges. We welcome all to these open lodges: 1) an open prayer for Peace on the New Moon; 2) for women only on the Full Moon; and, 3) for men only on the 1st Friday of each month. Space is limited, so call to reserve a spot or email us for more information.
We also host other events and workshops and, on request, we host sweat lodges for healing or for groups when appropriate. The sweat lodge can be very healing at the time of the passing of a loved one. In native cultures all warriors were sweated on returning from battle, both physical and spiritual battles. Families and groups can heal and grow their connection through the sweat lodge ceremony.
Questions: Click here for answers to some frequently asked questions: Sweat Lodge Q&A
Read here about a woman's sweat lodge experience (more).