After reading the Protocol for the Eagle-Bear Lodge, contact Warron to discuss if you need or understand what a Sweat Lodge is for. 405-878-8822 taku-wakan@sbcglobal.net
Protocol for Eagle-Bear Lodge in the Village at Shawnee, OK
We have a few rules here at our Lodge in the Village here at Harmony Farm. We ask you to conduct yourself in a positive and respectful manner. If anyone exhibits inappropriate, argumentative or dis-respectful behavior, you will be ask to leave the event and the property. Also NO Drugs or Alcohol are allowed either before or while you are here on this land. Our sweat lodge (Inipi) was dedicated as a Healing Center, open to All People regardless of gender, race or religion. We ask that to participate in our Lodge, you have respect for the Belief of the Lodge and what she brings, her Leaders, the others participating, and the Love and respect of Mother Earth. Our ceremony, is what our Elders have shown us to be used for the Here and Now. Also be respectful to the Pipe Carrier when the Pipe is being prepared for ceremony.
Preparation: Most who do ceremony are there for the spiritual experience, so they may fast or pray for a day or two before the ceremony, but that is up to each individual. A light meal eaten several hours before coming is recommended, but do not eat red meat or a heavy meal. Since you will be sweating a lot, drink plenty of liquids the day of the ceremony and then after the Lodge. But not immediately before entering the Lodge, since ceremony can last for 1 - 2 hours.
What to bring: It is customary to bring the Lodge Leader a gift of tobacco; (a pack of Echo non-filters). You will want 2 Towels; one to sit on and one to dry with after rinsing off with hose outside of the house.; the clothes you intend to sweat in. Wear closed-toe shoes for gathering wood.You are to bring prepared food dish to feed 6 people for the feast after the sweat lodge. You may want bug spray, but rinse off before entering Lodge. A cooler with sweet water will be provided. We want everyone who needs the peace & cleansing of the sweat lodge or to come experience the serenity of the Village to be able to. There is NO fee or charge for the ceremony, but as the caretaker of the land and the host for the day, there MUST be an energy exchange between the participant and the land. We always have some building project going on, so any building or fencing supplies you may have would be appreciated. Also any free time you may have to help with clearing land, mending and erecting fences or general help with the growth and maintainance of The Village would also be appreciated. We would appreciate any food for us or our animals. Monetary gifts are also appreciated, if you so desire.
Dress: Those participating in the Lodge ceremony are ask to dress modestly. Men wear shorts and Women wear a cotton dress or skirt. A towel to sit on is allowed in the Lodge. Any other item should be discussed with the Leader. No metal is to be worn in the Lodge.
Day of Ceremony: For the Fall & Winter months, you need to arrive by 2:00 pm. The Directional logs will be placed and the fire blessed and lighted about 2:15 pm. If you are not here when the Fire is blessed and lit, you will NOT Sweat today. Preparations will then begin for the sweat lodge, by cutting and gathering the wood needed for your Sweat Lodge Ceremony. We will then sit, perhaps to listen to the thought for the time or hear stories, make our prayer bundles, or listen to the flute and perhaps drum. During this time (about 1 hour and a half) we reflect on ourselves and what we want from the ceremony. Sometimes there is a need for a Pipe Ceremony. We come together as a group for the fellowship and unity for the Lodge. We will then try to enter the Lodge around 4:00 pm or as the grandfathers are ready. The Feast will then take place approximately 6:00 - 6:30 pm after the Ceremony has ended. Remember The Village is on Indian Time and doesn't always run the same as the clock!
Sacred Area: The Area outlined by the cedar fence and the flags of the Four Directions is the Sacred Area. During Ceremonies, those outside the Lodge but within the Sacred Area should be in Prayer or Silent Meditation. This means No chit chat, unnecessary activity or noise of any kind, other than drumming. The Sacred Area between the Grandmother Mound and the Fire is Holy and should be treated with respect. The Chief Counsel oversees any activity within the Sacred Area when ceremonies are under way. Nothing is to be placed in the Sacred Fire except by the Firetender. The Sacred Fire is tended ONLY by the Firetender or a designated helper. Women in the Moon Time are not allowed within the Sacred Area or Lodge, as they are already in a healing phase. This is when a women's power is at it's greatest. You are still welcome to come to The Village, to fellowship, partake of the feast and Debra will tell of an alternative way for your cleansing.
Grandmother Mound: Our Lodge Leader and Chief Counsel places his/her Pipe and /or Sacred Bundle on the Mound on the East side; gifts to the Lodge Leader are placed on the West side of the Mound; the North side of the Mound is kept open for respect to the Fire. The South side is open for items to be blessed by Ceremony. Take this seriously and place only items needing to be blessed. Be respectful of others needing space to place their items on the Mound to be blessed.
Entering the Lodge: Before entering; present yourself to the Lodge to be smudged by the Doorkeeper with Sage. After being smudged, kneel at the door and ask Mother Earth for permission to enter her Womb (the Lodge). You enter Our Lodge counterclockwise on your knees to next seat available.
Ceremony: The Lodge Leader chooses the type of ceremony and how it will be conducted.The ceremony includes four rounds, each getting hotter. It is acceptable to leave after a round or two if the heat gets to intense for your personal comfort.. Our Lodge is not meant to be an endurance test. If you must leave, try to wait for the round to be over and ask the Lodge Leader for permission to leave. You must then ask the Lodge Leader for permission to return; as the Doorkeeper is the only one allowed to touch the door. During the round, when you are finished speaking say "Aho". If you are ask to bring in the Grandfathers, handle them with respect. The ceremony lasts as long as Spirit directs, as there is no timetable. The door is opened between rounds to allow cool fresh air to enter. It is not unusual for Spirits to enter the Lodge during ceremony; usually they invited to enter. The intense heat provides doorways to perception. If the heat gets to be too much, get closer to the earth and try praying harder, as this gets you out of your head and into your heart for the visions and insights not normally experienced. If you have a problem with heat or it is your first time, PLEASE discuss this with your Lodge leader, so they will keep you close and by the door; as it is the hottest in the back straight across from the door. Also, there will NEVER be overcrowding in the Eagle - Bear Lodge. A true sweat lodge is a spiritual journey full of prayer, NOT an Endurance test !!!
NOTE: If you are under medical care, or have any medical condition whatsoever, it is your responsibility to discuss and get written permission from your health care provider to partake in sweat lodge ceremonies. A Sweat Lodge is not a substitute for medical care or as a diagnosis for illness; nor is it an endurance test. If it is too hot or not what you expected, please tell the leader you would like to leave and the door will be opened for you to leave. The Big Eagle Family and any/all of our associates are NOT responsible for accidents, injury or loss of any kind while at The Village. We want your experience here to be pleasent and helpful so that you will return and tell your friends about what you felt while you were here and what you took home with you!
Warron teaches an ancient healing method handed down by his ancestors through the generations. The object is to introduce you to your own ability to heal and become personally in tune with yourself. As a child, he was introduced to this process as a prelude to his first vision quest. The clarity of your mind is the most important factor in your personal search for your own true Spirituality.
A 1 hour consultation MUST be done before you can start 7 Lodges. Cost for this is $60.00
First Lodge is Peace - Finding your place of comfort
Second Lodge is Spirit Introduction - Meet your Guides.
Lodge 1 & 2 take approximately 2 hours each. Cost is $210 each Lodge
Third Lodge is Intention - Awakening your healing powers
Fourth Lodge is Absolution - Facing the truth in your life
Fifth Lodge is Blooming - Opening of Cellular Memory
Lodge 3, 4 & 5 take approximately 3 hours each. Cost is $210 each Lodge
Sixth Lodge is OSO (the bear) & Seventh Lodge is the Vision - These 2 Lodges will help you overcome all of the negative influences in your memory whether it comes from this life, past life or ancestral and guide you to your true path.
Lodge 6 & 7 are done together & take about 8 hours. Their cost is $450 combined.
Due to the state of the economy, Warron has a Special price for the 7 Lodges program through March 30, 2010 - Total cost by the Individual Lodges is $1560 - which includes the initial consultation. If you Prepay for 7 Lodges, the cost is $1200, and you can still take each Lodge per your time requirements.
Arrangements can be made to come and stay at The Village to do your Lodges. We will furnish a tent, sleeping bag and 1 shower for $20 a day. ( $10 a day if you have your own tent & sleeping bag)
If you want to eat at Harmony Farm: A country breakfast including coffee and juice is $10.00. Afternoon snacks $5.00 and Dinner, salad, dessert and beverage is $15. Shawnee is 8 miles away with several Hotels & Resturants.
