Sweat Lodge Protocal

We welcome you to the co-creating of Sacred space and Ceremony – Sweatlodge Protocol

At O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE the care-takers of the space and process are Brandy and Trent. O.U.R. Lodge is known on the land as the Tsiithamsh (Forgiveness Lodge). With a deep history of the honour of being welcomed here on this land by the Peoples who’s ancestors have created sacred space and lived in the Kowutzen (Cowichan) sustainably since time immemorial….we are privileged to be able to come together in a good way and share in this Ceremony.

Some things we ask you to know about the Teachings in relation to this Ceremony.

• The Sweat Lodge is a sacred Ceremony of prayer. Please come with the highest respect for the land, those leading the ceremony, for yourself and for all those who you can not necessarily see. We invite you to clear/purify your heart, mind and body with deep intent before coming.
• Please be alcohol and mood altering substance free for a min. of 2 days prior to coming.
• Women on their “moon” (menses) are in a time of high powerful inner connection to Spirit and purification already and traditionally stay at a distance from a Sweat Lodge Ceremony until a day after their moon time has passed. If you have questions about this please share with us….
• Modest clothing is worn in the Sweatlodge. Women wear long skirts or dresses and anything else that else that might cover shoulders to ankles. Natural fabrics are most comfortable. Men wear long shorts in the lodge.
• If you like bring a drum, and old towel to sit on, water for drinking, and clothes to change into afterwards.
• Please bring some food to share for a potluck feast following the Ceremony. If there Ceremony is any time around meals and you wish to attend please be sure you are on the meal reservation list one day prior.
• Please bring a small donation to contribute to the cost of firewood and travel costs for guest Elders and those who lead within the Ceremony.
• Please do not bring any pets onsite with you to O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE. This is a drug free area and can not host folks unless all such issues are left behind at the entry gate (please note the hook on the gate post which asks all of us that we leave our ‘baggage’ at the door).
• Children are welcome in O.U.R. space and we ask that they always have a main person supervising them and taking responsibility for their wellbeing and to help support their awareness of O.U.R. Community needs.
• Mindful speech is required around the Sweatlodge site.
• Be helpful and in service to Sweatlodge waterpourers. They are offering a great Giveaway and Teaching – in return we make every effort to attend to their wellbeing. This includes offering water, locating needed items, serving waterpourers food at the Feast. Gifts are always welcomed….and we are equally in service to any elders attending the Sweatlodge Ceremony.

Please let us know if you have any needs or special issues to consider prior to the Lodge Ceremony. We ask that you are self-initiating and communicate all that you may think we need to know.

We welcome you to the co-creating of Sacred space and Ceremony - Sweatlodge Protocol At O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE the care-takers of the space and process are Brandy and Trent. O.U.R. Lodge is known on the land as the Tsiithamsh (Forgiveness Lodge). With a deep history of the honour of being welcomed here on this land by the Peoples who's ancestors have created sacred space and lived in the Kowutzen (Cowichan) sustainably since time immemorial....we are privileged to be able to come together in a good way and share in this Ceremony. Some things we ask you to know about the Teachings in relation to this Ceremony. The Sweat Lodge is a sacred Ceremony of prayer. Please come with the highest respect for the land, those leading the ceremony, for yourself and for all those who you can not necessarily see. We invite you to clear/purify your heart, mind and body with deep intent before coming. Please be alcohol and mood altering substance free for a min. of 2 days prior to coming. Women on their "moon" (menses) are in a time of high powerful inner connection to Spirit and purification already and traditionally stay at a distance from a Sweat Lodge Ceremony until a day after their moon time has passed. If you have questions about this please share with us.... Modest clothing is worn in the Sweatlodge. Women wear long skirts or dresses and anything else that else that might cover shoulders to ankles. Natural fabrics are most comfortable. Men wear long shorts in the lodge. If you like bring a drum, and old towel to sit on, water for drinking, and clothes to change into afterwards. Please bring some food to share for a potluck feast following the Ceremony. If there Ceremony is any time around meals and you wish to attend please be sure you are on the meal reservation list one day prior. Please bring a small donation to contribute to the cost of firewood and travel costs for guest Elders and those who lead within the Ceremony. Please do not bring any pets onsite with you to O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE. This is a drug free area and can not host folks unless all such issues are left behind at the entry gate (please note the hook on the gate post which asks all of us that we leave our 'baggage' at the door). Children are welcome in O.U.R. space and we ask that they always have a main person supervising them and taking responsibility for their wellbeing and to help support their awareness of O.U.R. Community needs. Mindful speech is required around the Sweatlodge site. Be helpful and in service to Sweatlodge waterpourers. They are offering a great Giveaway and Teaching - in return we make every effort to attend to their wellbeing. This includes offering water, locating needed items, serving waterpourers food at the Feast. Gifts are always welcomed....and we are equally in service to any elders attending the Sweatlodge Ceremony. Please let us know if you have any needs or special issues to consider prior to the Lodge Ceremony. We ask that you are self-initiating and communicate all that you may think we need to know.