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History and Fire Sweats

 

The sweat lodge ceremony, older than recorded history, is practiced in some form by every culture in the world.  Our ancient ancestors established the thermal bath in order to facilitate healing, purification and relaxation in their lives.  

 
  • Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) stated:  “Give me the power to create a fever and I shall cure every illness.”  
     
  • The Romans 2000 years ago used their baths to unwind and relax with friends.
     
  • The Finnish sauna has evolved from ancient times as a means to promote cleanliness and renewed strength in the country’s long, hard winters.  It is also used as a healing lodge.  An old Finnish saying states:  “If the sauna can’t cure it as a last resort, nothing can!”
 Old Finnish Sauna

Old Finnish Sauna

  • The ancient Russian bania continues to be utilized in Europe, using a combination of hot air and steam to create a humid, healing environment.  
     
  • In Turkey the Islamic hamman, with its steam room known as the harara, is actively in use today. 
     
  • The Japanese use the hot water soak bath daily for mental regeneration, relaxation and socialization.  
     
  • Mayan ruins revealing ancient sweat houses in Piedras Negras, Chichen Itza and El Paraiso, some over 1200 years old, have recently been uncovered in archeological diggings.  
  • Many North American and Central American Indian tribes have traditionally used the sweat lodge for purification, cleansing and healing of mind, body, emotions and spirit.  

 

NATIVE AMERICAN SWEAT LODGE

Lakota elder Black Elk tells us:  "The sweat lodge utilizes all powers of the universe: earth, and things that grow from the earth; water; fire; and air."

The sweat lodge symbolizes the womb of Grandmother Earth and the heated stones represent her body, which supports all life.  The fire that is used to heat the rocks represents the perpetual light of the world, and is the source of all life and power.  The water slowly releases the heat in the stones, which rises as steam and permeates the air to create a hot, humid atmosphere conducive to manifestation of the particular intent of the ceremony.

Every tribal group has its own traditions.  Overall, there is no right or wrong way to engage in a sweat lodge ceremony, other than to enter the lodge with an open mind and be prepared for cleansing of negative emotions, healing of physical ailments, clearing of mental concerns and/or releasing of spiritual blockages.  Intent within integrity is the key to the positive outcome of the ceremony.

 

“Ceremony done without integrity serves fear and the ego.  If done with integrity, it serves love, the earth, the people and Spirit.”      Elena Narkiya

Tribal customs vary in regard to admitting women on their moon into the sweat lodge.  Many Native American tribes will not allow a woman to enter the lodge when she is on her moon.  In contrast, the Toltecs, Incas, Mayans and a number of other tribal groups have no such restriction.  It has been found that the sweat addresses special concerns of women, including alleviation of some of the cramping pain during menstruation and removal of excessive water caused by retention of sodium.  Following childbirth, the sweat relieves aching muscles and cleanses the body.
 

Sweat Lodge Willow Frame

Sweat Lodge Willow  Frame

Wood Fire Heats Rock

Wood Fire Heats Rocks

A major side effect of a sweat is the cleansing of undesirable toxins from the body.  Bacteria and viruses cannot survive at temperatures much higher than 98.6 degrees.  The rise in temperature also stimulates the endocrine glands and facilitates the release of negative ions into the air, inducing relaxation and alertness. 

Donations are requested to cover costs of expenses for upkeep of the lodge.  Traditionally, participants bring medicine gifts and tobacco for the sweat lodge leader and fire people, as well as food to share following the ceremony.

 

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