Sweat Lodge May 16/17

We will be holding a Sweat Lodge building /ceremony this weekend May 16^th and 17^th . It will be our honor to have Moon Bear and Grey Wolf facilitate the experience. We have been waiting many years for the teachers to be sent to Spirit-Path. If you are interested in Native ways and becoming a part of the Lodge Family, please come this weekend. If you are unable to “build” there is plenty of other things for you to be a part of. Age, physical impairments, etc.are NOT a factor. This lodge will be built so EVERYONE will be able to experience its healing benefits. If you have any questions, please call me at 518-827-6123. Below is a list of thing you can bring if you have them. I will provide food if you cannot bring a dish to share (any thing is acceptable and is customary). You may bring tents to stay over as this will be the best thing to do and the weather will be in our favor.

Location:

554 Gates Hill Rd

off rt145 Middleburgh

2.5 miles up the hill past Vly Pond

white house with a purple door

you will see the sigh for Spirit-Path Medicine Wheel.

From: Grey Wolf

To: Peggi
Subject: Lodge - things to bring

Hello Peggi,

Below are items for people to bring on Lodge day. I am also including a list of things people can bring on Lodge building day if they happen to have them. Please take a look and let me know about anything you may want clarified, and please share with the people. Look forward to ceremonies.

Things to bring on Lodge building day (if available only):

1. work gloves
2. hatchet
3. axe
4. hand saw
5. clippers
6. machete
7. tobacco
8. bug spray
9. duct tape
10. food/water for you to have

Lodge

The things You need to bring when you come to Lodge:

1. two towels
2. something for Pot Luck
3. a blanket or something to sit on
4. a long skirt for the ladies with a light t shirt; shorts for the men
5. a set of dry clothes for after Lodge
6. a stone about the size of a football, more if possible
7. some wood for the fire, just a few pieces if you can
8. you may also want to bring a drum or rattle to play and one other sacred object that can go on a small altar while we are in Lodge
9. gifts/donations (if you cannot afford gifts/donations and still need to come then you will not be turned away)

Lodges are sacred ceremonies, so when you come you will be asked to stay in the area until the ceremony is complete – this sometimes takes until 10pm or, on rare occasions, later.

Everyone is welcome, and if you bring children remember they are your responsibility.

When you come to the lodge site you will need to greet the lodge keepers first and offer them a gift and tobacco for the use of the land.

Next, greet the person who is pouring water and offer them tobacco and a cash gift (sit with Spirit to see how much). If you are going to ask for help in healing or prayers to be made for you or another, you should ask the pourer with your offering if you may talk to them, and follow his instructions.

It is always good to find out who is keeping fire that day and offer them tobacco and a gift also. Your exchange of energy honors their hard work for the people.

Always try to remember that the Worship is in the Work. You only get out of ceremony what you put into it, so come as close to noon as you can.

After the Lodge & Pipe we wait to eat or drink until the children, the pourer, the firekeeper, the elders, and the lodge keepers are served their food and drink. At some Lodges, a spirit plate will also be made and offered to the fire.

Thank You Love & Light to all,

Moon Bear and Grey Wolf