The Sweatlodge (Inipi in the Lakota language) is a
centuries-old place, for prayer, purification and healing.

This ceremony in the womb of Mother Earth helps you to
purify and to heal on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally
and spiritually.

I have had the privelige to participate in such a ceremony.
Every lodge I experienced total different, but again and again
it was a very intensive and overwhelming experience.

It is pleasant for yourself, before you take part in such a
ceremony, that you are concious of your own inner strength
That you are well grounded, and have a certain stability.

The week after the ceremony many things can happen;
That is my experience! You prayed, and asked the Spirits
for help, they come to help you! It is very important to
keep your ears and eyes wide open for their answer, listen
to your intuition, your inspiration! (you should do that always!)

The sweatlodge is a low and round cabin made of braches
of the willow-tree, which is covered with blankets.
Before you enter the lodge, you make a string of prayer ties.
They are couloured pieces of cotton. You'll put tabacco in
it for offering to the Spirits.

Participants in the ceremony are sitting in a circle in the lodge.
Then the fire people bring some hot stones into the lodge.
They are heated in a fire. In the lodge the water-man/woman
pours water over the stones, and steam comes free.
The ceremony consists of 4 parts; the 4 directions,
North, South, East, West.

Aho Mitakuye Oyacin

( Amen to All My Relations / Lakota)

Anneke