Morning Sweat Lodge (CT)

WAKE CIRCLE SWEAT LODGE (CT)

Date: December 21st 2024

Time: 9-11am

Venue: Noordhoek

Cost: R400

Book:info@wakecircle.com

Wake Circle is proud to include a monthly Sweat Lodge in our ceremonial offerings facilitated by our very own song-weaver Simone Beckerling.

A sweat lodge ceremony is a traditional spiritual practice originating from indigenous cultures, particularly in North America. It’s a ritual for physical, emotional, and spiritual purification, healing, and self-reflection. In this beautiful initiation of darkness, heat, and song we all gather together in a low hut creating an earthly womb around hot stones where we unfold four separate rounds of prayers honouring the energies of the four directions and the seven generations. This session is particularly a powerful opportunity to cleanse and prepare our body and mind before the plant medicine ceremony which is why we have scheduled our lodge on the day of our overnight Ayahuasca ceremony.

LEAD FACILITATOR

Simone Beckerling

It has been over two decades since I first learned about the ancient wisdom of the sweat lodge or Temescal as it is called in Portuguese. Teachers came from afar. With a mysterious force, they arrived at my front door as if to simply pass on this lineage here in Africa. I felt the calling deep in my soul. I rose to the challenge and completed 4 vision quests of 4,7,9 and 13 days of fasting and dialoguing with Spirit on the mountain. Once completed, I requested the necessary permission to pour the water in the lodge and celebrate life and love in this way.

We gather the stones, the grandmothers, and we light the fire, the fire which we build with sacred geometry, honouring the four directions and the seven generations to come.

We gather the tribe, and the sangha and into the womb we go to strengthen and purify our hearts, our minds, our bodies. The stones represent the eggs, the water the fertilisation we pour on the heated stones. When the lodge door is closed we invoke the womb. We open four doors as we sing and sweat and tell stories. We emerge from the womb, little embryos ready to begin again, refreshed, revitalised and in tune with life.

It is a huge privilege and honour to pour water on the tribal land in Noordhoek giving thanks for the gatekeepers and their invitations. Aha Mitakuyasin ( to all my relations) let’s go my brothers and sisters, let’s go singing.

Preperation 

On the day of the lodge please bring:

    – A costume

-A towel or sarong to wear

    – A change of clothes for after the ceremony

    – Bottle of drinking water to hydrate

 Description of Ceremony

Entering the Sweat Lodge

After creating our sacred container with the facilitator ⁠participants will enter the lodge through a small door, crawling on hands and knees. ⁠Inside, the lodge is dark, with a pit in the centre where hot stones (usually volcanic rock) are placed. The air is hot and humid, with temperatures sometimes reaching 34°C to 45°C. ⁠The ceremony typically consists of 3-4 rounds, each lasting 15-30 minutes. During each round, the facilitator will offer prayers, songs, and stories. Participants may also share prayers, intentions, or gratitude. Water is poured onto the hot stones, creating steam, the group then sits in silence, meditation, or prayer. The heat and steam purifies the body, mind, and spirit. ⁠Between each round, the door is opened letting fresh cool air in. ⁠ ⁠Participants may experience physical releases, sweating, emotional releases and spiritual awakenings. ⁠The ceremony leader will use sacred herbs, smudging, or other rituals to enhance the purification process. After the final round, participants exit the lodge and take time to cool off. As the lodge is not too far from the beach, an ocean swim on Noordhoek beach is recommended.

Respect and Etiquette

Be respectful of the tradition, ceremony leaders, and fellow participants. Listen carefully to instructions and follow guidelines. Refrain from talking or disrupting the ceremony. ⁠Keep an open mind and heart, and be willing to let go of expectations.

Important Considerations

•⁠  ⁠Physical limitations: It is your responsibility to consult your doctor if you have any health concerns (e.g. high blood pressure, pregnancy).

•⁠  ⁠Emotional preparedness: Be aware that the ceremony may trigger emotional releases. Allow for space after the ceremony for integration, grounding and reflection.

•⁠  ⁠Cultural sensitivity: Recognize that this is a sacred tradition so please approach it with respect and humility.

Every sweat lodge ceremony is unique; specifics may vary depending on the tradition and ceremony leader. Approach this experience with an open heart and mind, and be prepared for a transformative journey.