Spiritual Native American Ritual

[saffy]

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to attend a sweat lodge. I was very exciting. It is always customary to bring something to offer at the altar. People brought firewood, tobacco, sage and even money. There was a huge fire pit where the stones were readied for the sweat.

There were nine people taking part and only one had been there before. The "Hoop Watcher" shared his "bundle" with us which included things he collected for any of his ceremonial rites. He had a pipe and everyone there took part in the passing of the peace pipe. It was really awesome. There were a mixture of herbs in there.

While we were entering the sweat lodge the instruction were pretty simple, go in and out on your knees and always go clockwise going around to get to your place or out of the lodge. There was a pit in the center for the stones.

There were 4 sessions in the lodge. One for each direction and each direction represented various things. With each there were 7 stones brought in by a fire keeper and then the lodge was completely covered from the inside. The last one, all but one stone from the fire pit was brought in to the pit.

The Hoop Watcher began putting water on the hot rocks and began talking. We talked, chanted, he played drums and flute. It was really an awesome experience. The steam was so thick you literally couldn't see anything.

Afterward there was a potluck and people talked about some of their experiences.

I just can't tell you enough about it. It was a moving experience. I will be doing this again.

[Peace]

that really does sound cool. i'd love to do something like that! ((not that they have anything cool like that here, lol)) so, did you have any specific experiences with it; visions of any kind; feeling; etc? i'd love to hear!

[saffy]

I did. I had some wonderful experiences, heard a lot. But I think one of the best was learning from the energy of everyone else in the room. Imagine 9 of us, the hoop watcher and his sister sharing our energy. It was something hard to explain. I know the next time will be even more enlightening.

[Peace]

is this something that happens around there often? if so, that's really cool that you can go often. i wish i could................hey! wait a sec! if i manage to talk hubby into that vacation, then maybe i can go with? that would be cool beanies! lol. what am i saying, "IF", i told him that i'll go alone if he doesn't wanna. lmao!!!

[willow]

That is so awesome. Thank you for sharing!

There is usually a sweat lodge ceremony in the spring and fall near Des Moines. They usually have it when the First Nations meet and come into our area. A friend of mine was the "Hoop watcher" and always set up the sweat!
Your experience with each sweat can be different!

There was a Native American Elder that came from Canada and would have sweats when she was here. That is who i met and had my Indian naming ceremony, where I got my name, Willow Weaver! I also learned my clan and colors.
She also did vision quests, healing quests and more!

Willow

[saffy]

How awesome Willow. Iggy (his real name) has one once a month. There is a larger ceremony sometime later in the year, but I don't really know all the specifics. I will certainly be going again next month.

[katnips]

I wish we had something available here in east Texas, I think I would have to travel south near Livingston to be able to even come close to being able to experience one, very fortunate indeed the two of you...
Kat

[willow]

Kat
You could always go to Oklahoma over Labor Day weekend and check out the Cherokee Nation celebrations! Not that terribly far for a weekend road trip

Willow

[♥Starlene]

That sound like it was totally awesome I bet you had a really good time!
I don't think they have sweat lodges here in South Florida it's probably too hot have to make a trip up north to the one

[Sloan]

Sounds like a wonderful experience to me. I'd love to try something like that. I know how much I loved my shamanic journeying class, I can only imagine what I'd get out of a sweat lodge session.