Sarah has studied, trained and participated in lodges from several cultural modalities for over 20 years. She has studied with Lakota, Paiute, Yaqui, Navajo, and Mexica. She has been blessed to pour water by two elder lodge carriers. She is connected with nature in medicine ways and is qualified to lead a safe, beautiful sweat. She leads in sacred prayer using the technologies handed down from many generations and cultures. She is a Moondancer at Danza de Luna Ollinmalinalmetzli located in Teotihuacan, the place where gods were created. 

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Background

Sweat lodges have been a practice for many cultures all over the world for thousands of years. From willow lodges to steams,  saunas, and bath houses people have used the elements in a sacred way to pray. As a result, deep healing in the physical, spiritual, and emotional bodies happen. The lodge is a powerful way to accelerate one's own healing and is to be treated with holy reverence and regarded as sacred ceremony. It is an honor to carry these traditions and we treat those who have been charged with this gift of service deep respect and honor. 

Process

The lodge we use is a Non-Native American sweat lodge built of 12 willow branches with a 13th willow pole as support. These represent the thirteen moons. The lodge is the mysterious womb space and as one of my many spiritual teachers explained, the stones are representative of sperm when they enter. Our lodge is covered with blankets and a sacred fire is built in the direction of the east. Many stones (often called abuelos, stone people, abuelitas, rock people, grandfathers, or grandmothers) are put in the sacred fire to heat. Usually seven stones for four rounds of sweat are used for a total of 32 stones. This can very depending on ceremony, season, occasion, tradition, etc. We enter the lodge keeping in mind not to cross the path of the sun, to fire, to altar, to door of lodge. This is sacred energetic technology happening and we refrain from passing this space from the time the fire is lit until the closing wopila or food offering. When we enter the lodge we pray to the energies often times giving respect by saying "Ometeotl" or "Aho Mitakuye Oyasin" or "All my Relations." The direction we move in the lodge is important; moving to the left of the lodge and not exiting to the left in between rounds, but exiting the way you came until the end when we follow the spiritual leader out the exit. Four rounds of sweat happen where the stones are brought in after each round until the fourth round and then we are finished. 

Code of Conduct

• Bring sage, sweat grass, tobacco, cedar as gifts for the spiritual lead and/or fire tenders.
• No drugs, alcohol or psychoactive substances. (Ceremonial medicines are to be approved by spiritual leader. Aka Hape', Chanupa, etc... Please notify in advance)
• Cigarette smoking is to be done off site. 
• Be respectful. Hold a place of silent/quiet respect at all times, for there are prayers going on around the fire and the lodge.
• Refrain from approaching the Fire or Lodge without direction from spiritual lead or fire tender. Please only tobacco and plants for prayer in the fire. 
• Sacred language only on the property. Profanity is not appreciated. 
• All participants are to conduct themselves in a peaceful manor. Those who create dissension or disrespect will be asked to leave after a soft reminder. (After the ceremony is over those who have been asked to leave will be contacted by the leader of the ceremony or the keeper of the lodge.)
• We do have considerations as to the ability of others. Please notify in advance. 
• Try and stay for the entire ceremony. 
• If one must leave, then wait respectfully and ask when the door is opened, as it is after each round.
• Clothing must be worn in the lodge at all times.
• What you bring on the land, you take out. Always leave it better than you found it.

Preparation

At least 24 hours prior to the sweat; drink more water than normal, fast from heavy foods, avoid intoxicants, and set an intention. Keeping conscious contact with spirit through gratitude, prayer, and meditation. Be willing to empty your mind and become the hollow bone. When in the thinking mind try to think of others and what you can pray for during ceremony. Bless yourself for what you have accomplished and what you want to give back to the planet. ​

What to Bring

~ As mentioned above, it is customary to bring offerings such as tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar to show respect and appreciation for the spiritual lead and fire keeper. Much is required for a sweat ceremony to take place. It takes lots of firewood, time, labor and people committed to purification, growth and love. If you want to participate in the preparation, come early. This kind of donation helps maintain a good relationship between your sweat community and the land, We do not charge money to pray. 
~ Bring an item to be blessed by the altar between the fire and the lodge door. This area is supercharged by the ceremony and one of the reasons we do not pass through this line from the lodge to the sun in the east during ceremony.
~ Bring a towel to sit on, enough bottled water (not in the lodge itself) and dry clothing for after the sweat. 
~ Healthy, nutritious Wopila item or food to share.  Bring your own utensils and dishes, preferably reusable, as we do not supply these things. 
~ What to wear:  Cotton Sweat Dresses consist of long skirts and a non revealing top, deshiki, or sarongs (we are not a nude sweat lodge). Metal jewelry should be removed prior to entering the heat to avoid burning. 

Moontime

At this women's sweat, those mooning are allowed to enter the lodge. This can be a very powerful experience for both the mooning and the participants. Please either create a belt of seven prayer ties (or whatever amount of days you are usually on your moon) or come early to create the belt or learn how. Prayer ties will be provided, but please let Sarah know in advance. It is your responsibility to know yourself. Both ceremonies take a lot of liquid from the body so please check in with yourself. (Please also be mindful that this is uncommon in many traditions, so always check with the spiritual leader of other sweats about this prior.)

Fire Eagles

The Call to Fire keeping

Fire keepers are seasoned community members who have done their work in ceremony and chosen to show up in support of the community in service to the spiritual lead and Grandfather Fire. They are highly trained and dedicated individuals who are strong and able to take direction easily without taking things personal. They are respected, especially by the spiritual lead, as they are a cornerstone to a successful ceremony. 

Fire training is a humble yet powerful position and if you feel the call please come early and observe first. You will see it is a physical and rewarding service work. 

They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. As a participant be sure to honor their requests and instructions as they are tasked with ensuring the safety of all during ceremony.


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Location & Arrival

We strive to start the ceremony as close to on time as possible. Please plan to come at least 30 minutes early. It’s always okay to come a couple hours early to help dress the lodge, shadow fire keeping, or work on the land. If you’re running late, come anyway. You will be allowed in, between rounds.
For location information or if you have any other questions after reading the above information please text (707)980-0950
Tlazocamati and I am looking forward to praying with you in these ways. A'ho, Ometeotl. 
​Sarah 

Women's Sweat Lodge

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