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I am most likely to be running Purification Sweat Lodges every Full Moon and apart from what is entered below please don't hesitate to contact me and make an appointment to do some ceremony with me, come and chat, or ask me any questions.

Sweat Lodge 

I am available for this important and sacred ceremony and other spiritual matters whenever you call. Apart from the Full Moon Sweats, if  I have been asked to run one for someone else, you may be able to join in; just ask!

I look forward to hearing from you and doing some ceremony together.

The Sweat Lodge or Inipi is a traditional cleansing ceremony where we humble ourselves on Mother Earth for four rounds of prayers and songs and come out like spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally purified new born babies.

Traditionally these and most ceremonies were specifically for men only as nature puts women through a cleansing ceremony every month with her moon time (menstruation) and renewal through child birth. Because these things don’t happen to men a ceremony must be created for the same reasons. Having said that, it is important to realise that most women living in mainstream society are so disconnected from nature (inner and outer nature) that these ceremonies are useful to help them reconnect to their nature too.

To understand these differences between male and female energies it may be useful to read this article: Male and Female Energies

Winter time is the best time for a number of reasons, one being that our skin gets more clogged with all the clothes we need to wear to keep warm, another is that it is much less of a fire danger.

Any ceremony is in Great Spirit's time, but generally they go from anything like 1 hour to 5 hours, but usually around 3 hours, but I like people to arrive here around lunch time for an evening Sweat for many reasons that will become apparent; mostly to explain the symbolism of everything as well as preparation and protocol of how I run my Lodges.
Probably the best explanation is in an article that Cheryl wrote in answer to someone’s queries about Sweat Lodges. The link to that article is: Sweat Lodge

The great ceremonial chief of the Teton Sioux, and holy man Frank Fools Crow (1890-1989) in dialog with author Thomas E. Mails in the book ‘Fools Crow – Power and Wisdom’ discusses the Sweat Lodge thus:
"The Stone-people Lodge (Inipi, Purification or Sweat Lodge) not only represents the womb of Mother Earth for rebirth and the universe but also, once the above-ground part is covered and all items and tools to be used (including your own sacred intent, dedication of consciousness) are inside, it becomes the dwelling place of Wakan -Tanka (Great Spirit, Creator, God the FATHER etc.) and Tunkashila (the SON) above, Grandmother Earth below and the Persons of the Four Directions (the Holy Spirit)."

Spiritual Gatherings:

Spiritual Unity of the Tribes Gatherings

20th Australian Gathering at Culpra Station- NSW

26th - 29th April 2018

4 Days of Ceremony

The Gathering

The gatherings will be held over four days. The focus will be the sacred fire. 
Permission to be obtained from the traditional owners of the land. 
Elders will be respected. 
A meal will be served each day. 
They will be drug and alcohol free. 
There will be no firearms. 
There will be no proselytizing. 
Ceremony begins the first day and continues until the last.

Blessing of clans of the area

Spiritual Unity of the Tribes, together in unity with Barkindji elders, Uncle Barry and Aunty Betty Pearce, will host a ceremony for four days at Culpra Station, on the Murray River in NSW.

The gathering ceremony will commence at sunrise on Thursday 26th April with ceremony to light the sacred fire, which will be the centre of the gathering. The gathering ceremony will conclude on the afternoon of Sunday 29th April, followed by a celebration meal Sunday night.

Camp day will be on the 25th April. You will be asked to honour a treaty between yourself, SUT and the Elders regarding conduct while on the land.

Lore & Protocol

All ceremonies will be under the guidance of the Gathering Council. This is a spiritual cultural gathering not a music festival.

Guidelines for Spiritual Unity of Tribes Participants

We Welcome Each and Every One Who is Called to Take Part to The Spiritual Unity of Tribes - Australia. In order that we might all have a positive experience, please observe the following guidelines during your stay with us.

Do show your respect for the Arbor, the Sacred Fire and the Traditional Elders present by:

Being under the Arbor as much as possible in respect for the Elders and Speakers, many whom have traveled great distances to be here.

Dressing modestly, mindful that this is Sacred Ceremony.

Making room in the front rows for Elders and Speakers.

Being quiet and respectful, especially when anyone is praying or speaking.

Observing the posted protocols if you want to participate in a Sweat Lodge Ceremony.

Respecting other people’s beliefs by not proselytizing (preaching or trying to persuade to your point of view.)  Limit the length of time you speak in the Arbor.

Respecting the Sacred Fire.  It is not a campfire.  Please feel free to place your offerings in the Fire.  Do not put water in the Fire at any time.

Staying away from the Sacred Pipes if a woman is on her Moon Time.  Ask a committee member if you have questions about this protocol.  Pipes are used in Sweat Lodges and sometimes brought into the Arbor.

Refraining from smoking under the Arbor and in any of the buildings.  Please put cigarette butts in your pocket and pick up any that you may see on the ground.

Keeping the Arbor area free from drink bottles, etc. when you leave the area.

Do drive very slowly within the property and keep the driving of vehicles on the road to a minimum, due to the impact on the land.  If you need ice or additional supplies, please network with others by asking if you can assist them by picking up what they need or vice versa.  After setting up your camp area and parking your car in the parking area, do not drive down into the camping area until you are ready to break camp unless you are transporting someone with special needs.

Do keep the camp free from alcohol, drugs, and weapons.  Please report any inappropriate behavior to a security member.

Do make arrangements for dogs to stay elsewhere, as they are not allowed at Gatherings.  If dogs accompany anyone, they will be requested to camp in a separate area.

Do sign up to do your part to help out.  We need help with the kitchen duties, security, parking, Elder shuttle, youth activities, and other areas.  Please sign up by the kitchen.

Do show respect for the Elders and your neighbours by observing Quiet Time between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Do feel free to invite Elders or others to share your breakfast or evening meal.

Do leave phones, tablets, cameras, etc. in your car until the fire is put out on Sunday afternoon.

Do know where your children are and what they are doing.  Please do not allow them to play in the vicinity of the Arbor.

Do respect Forest Service rules by not having an open fire of any kind.  We only have permits for the Arbour Fire and the Sweat Lodge Fire.

Do show respect for Mother Earth by minimizing waste.  Use reusable plates and utensils and avoid Styrofoam and other disposables, if possible.  Appoint a person in your group responsible for trash in your camp area.  Use the blue recycling bags for cans, plastic and glass.  Help keep the property clean at all times by picking up any loose trash you might see.

Do respect the plant life in the area by leaving the root systems if you gather sage, etc.

Remember that this is Sacred Ground – treat it as you would your Mother.

Mitakuye Oyasin

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO HONOUR THIS ‘LORE' PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THIS GATHERING it is not for you. Those not honouring the lore will be asked to leave by the Gathering Council.

PARTICIPATION

In keeping with the spirit of the gatherings everyone is welcome at no formal charge, so no one is excluded by lack of money, however gatherings do cost so donations are needed and gratefully accepted. Please consider bringing and supporting an elder or grandmother, or a young person from any family or nation.

This gathering depends on your support, both in attendance and participation. The gathering is not for spectators. Help us share the essence of living as told by the grandmothers.

Your help is necessary for a successful gathering. Please sign up for tasks upon arrival.

• Meal preparation and clean up

• Assisting the Elders

• Fire Keeping: under the guidance of traditional fire keepers

• Children’s activities

• Clean up

• Set Up and Security

Please contact the organizers by completing the contact form on the S.U.T. website.

The Vision

To bring to the people medicine through ceremony to preserve and in some cases re-teach elements of the old ways of living. To enable the vision of Black Elk which was for the reunification of all peoples, all colours, all religions, all classes. To work towards the sacred unity of all.

Black Elk

Black Elk's Final Prayer
This prayer embodies the message of S.U.T.

With tears running, O Great Spirit, Great Spirit my Grandfather-with running tears I must say now that the tree has never bloomed. A pitiful old man, you see me here, and I have fallen away and have done nothing. Here at the center of the world, when you took me when I was young and taught me; here, old, I stand, and the tree is withered, Grandfather, my Grandfather. Again, and maybe the last time on this earth, I recall the great vision you sent me. It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives. Nourish it then, that it may leaf and bloom and fill with singing birds. Hear me, not for myself, but for my people. I am old. Hear me that they may once more go back into the sacred hoop and find the good red road, the shielding tree.

From Black Elk Speaks by John Niehardt

For further updates and info visit www.spiritualunityofthetribes.org.au or keep an eye on this page.

Contact me and make your own coming event!