Adapted from the notes of Hopoyv Fekseko (D. Joseph Alderson) and
others by Chetty Chapko for use by the Ceremonial
Discussion Committee of Pine Arbor Tribal Town, 1997.
"All things employed in the sweat rite are holy to the
Native American
and must be thoroughly comprehended ........... for the
true power of
a thing or an act is found in the understanding."
Paraphrased from Bobby Woods, Lakota (Sioux) sweat leader
Introduction
Several
community sweat lodge participants asked for more information and explanation
about sweats. In response to such requests, this article is a compilation
of notes gathered during years of listening to Elders; also included are
excerpts from a few good books and hard earned personal lessons gained
from our many experiences. It is easier to prepare and share detailed information
about sweats when one is not engaged in actually preparing or conducting
such a ritual at the same time. Like everyone, the authors are evolving,
too. For them, writing creates a record of their own focus and growth;
it also provides a mechanism for both self-evaluation and sharing.
Marcellus Bearheart Williams, an Oklahoma Creek Medicine Keeper, is
the adopted uncle of Alderson-Fekseko. Bearheart taught Fekseko the basics
of Indian sweats as he understood and practiced them. At the same time,
Marcellus Bearheart helped Fekseko discover much about himself in the process.
To his worthy student Fekseko, Bearheart presented a Sacred Pipe, an Eagle
Feather and a promise that Fekseko would help many people in Tallahassee
and Florida. Bearheart's words were true. The other authors have also had
equally valid, though different, sweat lodge experiences.
Since 1982, Fekseko has been closely associated with Pine Arbor Tribal
Town, a mixed-blood Muskogean community. He is actively involved at their
traditional ceremonials. Thanks to many teachers and especially Hokte-Pvhe
and Sakim, Fekseko continues to learn the details of tradition and gracefully
integrates this knowledge, where appropriate, into his sweats. Every sweat
leader does things a little differently; no two sweats are ever completely
the same. Differences accrue to the fact that many ceremonies and customs
are geographically specific to a particular area due to it's unique climate,
environmental conditions, plant life and so forth. The purposes of the
sweat bath, however, are fairly universal throughout the world. Whether
we participate in traditional sweats here or on the other side of the planet,
the benefits derived from a sweat lodge would be the same.
Saunas and sweat lodges are an historical fact in many parts of the
world: most of North and Central America, Ireland, Finland and much of
Europe, Russia, Africa, Japan, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Benefits
of sweat baths have long been known. Spiritual renewal and the purification
of body, mind, soul and spirit are the major purposes and benefits resulting
from regular sweat lodge use.
Physical Benefits Sweating rids the body of wastes. In this modern sedentary age of pollution,
artificial environments, synthetic clothing and lack of regular exercise,
a sweat bath can open clogged skin pores and stimulate the healthy flow
of a body's own natural sweat.
Depending on how hot the sweat bath is and the climate in which it occurs,
a fifteen minute sauna or sweat can perform the heavy metal excretion that
normally takes healthy kidneys 24 hours to accomplish. Body sweat flushes
toxic metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and mercury from the body. A sauna
is often recommended as a supplement to kidney machines. Sweat can also
remove excessive salts; this is generally believed to be beneficial for
cases of mild hypertension. Sweat can also eliminate urea, a metabolic
by-product. Excessive urea can cause headaches, nausea and in extreme cases,
vomiting, coma--even death. Sweat may also draw out lactic acid responsible
for stiff muscles and a contributor to general fatigue.
Sweat lodge heat dilates capillaries; this increases blood flow to the
skin. The heart beats faster and impurities in vital organs are flushed
out by the flow of fluids. Finnish and German doctors cite studies indicating
sweat baths help persons with high blood pressure and heart problems; many
American doctors, however, continue to recommend against sweat baths for
such persons.
Lungs benefit, too. Clogged respiratory passages are opened by heat;
this gives relief from colds or minor respiratory problems. Sweat baths
are not recommended for persons with pneumonia and major respiratory problems.
The heat of a sweat bath and the often rapid cooling afterwards, conditions
the body. A well-tuned body is more resistant to colds, disease and infection.
In cold weather, a warm glowing feeling often lingers for hours following
a sweat bath. In hot weather, the body seems cooler afterwards.
Recent Finnish tests validate the practice of splashing water on superheated
rocks as a means to produce an abundance of negative ions. This seems especially
true if the rocks are heated by a wood fire and not electricity. It is
known now that where there are too few negative ions and too many positive
ions, have been linked to heart attacks, aggravated asthma, migraines,
insomnia, rheumatism, arthritis, hay fever and allergies. By the way, major
causes of unhealthy ionic conditions are: weather disturbances, central
air conditioning, smog and driving too long in a closed automobile.
Spiritual Aspects Examining important elements used in the Native American sweat lodge
sheds light on its spiritual benefits. First, is the "symbolic" lodge itself.
The lodge is often built (or renewed) during the morning of the chosen
"Sweat Day." People fast while working on the lodge to help their intent
remain focused, pure. Prayer is offered as willow or other saplings are
cut, as holes are dug for the placement of saplings and as the pit for
the hot rocks is excavated. Tobacco, a powerful herb now commonly misused,
is often used for offerings--a visible "amen" to prayer. Such lodges can
be, and often are, a portal for communication with a Higher Power, the
Creator; it is very necessary to exercise care and good intent in all things
connected with a sweat lodge, its construction and its rites.
Willow, it seems, is universally preferred for sweat lodge construction
by most Native American groups. Words from Bobby Woods, Sioux sweat leader,
illustrates some of the many symbolic attributes associated with willow.
"Willow branches used to construct the lodge also taught bathers a lesson.
In Fall, leaves of the willow died and returned to earth... in Spring,
they come to life again. So too, men died but lived again in the real world
of Creator where there is nothing but the eternal spirits of deceased things.
A foretaste of this true life could be known here on Earth if they purified
their bodies and minds, thus coming closer to the Great Spirit who is All-Purity....."
Also, according to Bobby, the willows used in the lodge were set up in
such a way as to symbolically mark off the four quadrants of the universe--everything
of the world and sky was represented within the framework. The relationship
of all things is visible here.
Muskogees use willow extensively for sweat lodges, brush arbors and
medicines. Willow bark contains salicin, an analgesic and ingredient in
several aspirin-like compounds. There are many ailments for which willow
and aspirin are effective. Cutting or pruning willow encourages additional
branches to sprout. A willow's life cycle reflects the natural cycle of
life's many stages, too.
Reflective Symbology The constructed lodge is usually a round or oval shaped dome--symbolically
not unlike the womb. Often, lodges are called Mother Earth's womb. The
door is low to prevent heat from escaping but lessons of humility are easily
taught when one must bend low to enter the lodge. Sweats begin in silent
darkness inside the lodge. The arrival of glowing rocks is a constant reminder
of One-Above's penetrating goodness and radiance. Sakim, Creek spiritual
leader, constantly reminds us that Silence is the voice of Creator, One
Above. Sometimes, a flute is played; this represents bird song, Creator's
first specific gift to the newly created. In the Pine Arbor Creation Story,
birds received songs for their part in drying out land when it was covered
with water-- bird songs are both a form of spiritual silence and an aural
blessing.
People are often unclothed in the sweat lodge; like the womb--each is
a dark but secure and nurturing place. A womb does not produce a healthy
fetus if contaminated with infection or impurities, neither can a sweat
lodge produce a healthy spiritual birth or renewal if penetrated with unhealthiness
or impure intent such as drugs or alcohol. Participants in a sweat rite
are not unlike the fetus in a womb; both can be vulnerable to improper
influences. Spiritual life deserves no less care than the physical life--sometimes,
it should have more. Good and proper intent are very important. Those who
sneer about the unclothed body are ill-equipped to understand the sweat;
they probably shower fully clothed!
In his book, Sweat, Mikkel Aaland writes: "...The warm, dark, moist
ambience inside a sweat bath is easily likened to a womb, even the womb
of Mother Earth, Herself. A tired dirty bather climbs into the confines
of the sweat bath, crouches in a fetal position (especially in smaller,
more primitive baths), sweats out impurities and emerges refreshed and
cleansed--reborn.
Because of these re-birth qualities, rites of passage were invariably
connected with sweat bathing. Cleanliness is next to godliness and close
to God is a good place to be when an individual passes from one stage of
life to another. The sweat bath prepared bathers for the rituals that attended
birth, adulthood, marriage and death rites of passages--times when awe
of the unknown was highest.
Finally, as with any religion or ritual, sweat baths would not have
been given such cultural importance without serving humankind in practical
ways. With its mystical powers marshaled, the sweat bath became a healer..."
In Native Medicine, Medicine Grizzly-Bear Lake writes about reasons
people go unclothe in the sweat bath: "We prefer to go into the sacred
sweat lodge stripped of all our clothes, symbols, badges of education,
status and wealth, camouflages or other coverings which feed the human
ego. We go naked as a newborn into the womb of our Mother Earth; humble,
pure, innocent and prepared for nurturing. We try to strip ourselves of
[defining] human qualities, desires and characteristics in order to become
m ore spirit-like; we shed our human image and physical attributes in order
to discover our soul and its spiritual nature. And, in most cases we come
out reborn and re-created."
In the center of each sweat lodge a small shallow pit is dug. It is
here the heated rocks are placed as they are brought into the lodge. This
hole is deeply symbolic, even holy; within Plains Indian tradition this
hole represents the center of the universe. Dirt from this center is used
to form a small altar mound in front of the lodge entrance. On this altar,
participants can place special things that may help them in the sweat.
The altar is always on an east-west axis between the fire at the east end
and the lodge at the west end of the line. To some, this is an avenue of
power while others call it an energy exchange. The fire is special in many
respects. For Creeks, Fire is a piece of the sun, perfect symbol of Creator;
through Fire One Above, the Creator, finds expression.
Early Finnish sauna bathers believed fire was heaven sent. If the sweat
fire was fueled by choice firewood and tended with appropriate ritual,
disease and evil influences could be warded off. Treated disrespectfully,
fire could (and would eventually) engulf and destroy the bather.
As we make the sweat fire, after gathering all the appropriate and needed
materials, we are also preparing propitiations between mind, body, spirit
and soul--a conciliatory reckoning to restore balance and harmony between
these four elements. To s how this intent while building the fire, fire
makers offer constant prayers of thanksgiving for all the purposes at hand,
especially prayers for participants that they may be cleansed in all these
four parts and experience renewal. The purifying heat to come forth from
the fire is also acknowledged and thanked for its help: heat, light and
strength. The visible conclusion to all Native American prayers is the
gift of tobacco to Creator. A fire maker often places tobacco into the
structure of the fire as h e or she sets the wood in place; tobacco is
always carefully and tenderly placed into the newly ignited fire after
it has caught sufficiently. Many fire tenders offer participants tobacco
to place in the fire with their own special prayers and thanksgivings.
It is not unusual for knowledgeable participants to bring tobacco with
them for that purpose and to share with their sweat leader or fire maker.
Meaningful Materials Wood is important on many levels, as is the choice of stones, rocks
or bricks to receive the heat and facilitate the sweating. Again, well-founded
participants share in the gathering or bringing of wood so that it doesn't
become an unnecessary expense or time burden on the sweat leader or fire
maker. Natural woods are best--those gathered from Mother Earth's breast
without felling live trees or breaking off their branches. Wood in other
forms is also acceptable, often more abundant and sometimes necessary.
We try not to use lumber with nails in it, and never pressure treated wood.
Damp, wet or rotted wood is also to be avoided. Certain woods are favored
for particular occasions or uses. Cedar is always regarded as a spiritually
impregnated wood carrying special properties which can enhance properly
offered prayers. Cedar shavings are sometimes placed in the bottom of the
fire pit to fragrance the lodge. Evergreen needles are sometimes used for
this. Fat-lighter pine, abundant in the South, makes a good fire starter
but is a poor choice for the principal wood--too much acrid ash, smell,
smoke and tar. Seasoned wood burns rapidly and well. Green wood is preferred
by many sweat leaders who believe it imparts more force and power to both
participant and stone than commercial lumber gathered without ceremony
or acknowledgment. Wise experienced leaders will combine different types
of green and seasoned wood in a ceremonial sweat fire. Each type of wood
imparts a different energy and heat to the occasion. By mixing different
types of wood in the same fire, a sweat leader can kindle a fire specific
to the purpose of a particular occasion and bring appropriate energies
to bear which will enhance all proper ceremonial actions.
The Ever-Present Duality Other important points remembered and practiced by Creeks, Fekseko and
the people of Pine Arbor are: to thank the wood as it is gathered or collected
and to smudge it before beginning to build the fire. Bringing raw water
and flame together is to mix opposite spiritual elements in an improper
fashion; therefore, avoid using damp or wet wood when laying the fire.
Because of this principle, it is neither correct nor proper to blow on
the fire with moist breath. Pine Arbor sweat leaders include appropriate
fans in their sweat lodge gear such as a bird wing, stretched leather on
a wooden frame or a woven fan such as that used at the Busk Fire. An old
hat will do in a pinch (--especially if it isn't yours!) Finally, nothing
except for more wood, tobacco or a special morsel or other offering is
to be placed in the sweat fire or any ceremonial fire for that matter.
Nothing with saliva on it may go into the fire--period. To throw any trash
on the fire is a great desecration! Fekseko and all sweat leaders are constantly
learning about woods and their different qualities from their own experience
and practice; wood is always teaching the careful observer. Wood and Stone,
Fire and Water, Light and Dark, Earth and Sky, Lodge and the Outdoors along
with the Sweat Leader and Participant make up the necessary duality of
the Muskogee Sweat Lodge Ceremonial according to Pine Arbor Tribal Town's
traditions.
The stones used in the sweat represent Earth as both Grandmother and
Mother--an eternal matrilineal kinship. Stones are symbols of endurance
in the same manner in which Earth endures. Creeks regard sweat stones as
bones of Mother Earth. They are alive. Stones absorb the power of fire.
When water is splashed on them in the lodge, the steam or vapor produced
is also considered powerful and holy--the visible symbol of Creator's Breath.
Finns call this vapor "loyly," spirit of life. Such rocks or stones are
sometimes called "rock people," signifying that we are related to them
as we are with all creation. Stone is to Earth as bone is to flesh say
the old time Creeks of Pine Arbor.
As in creating the lodge or gathering wood, prayers and offerings are
given when obtaining stones for the sweat. Usually stones are gathered
from dry fields, uplands, hillsides or mountainsides. Those taken from
streams or near wet places will exp lode when heated! Creeks often used
baked clay balls in ancient times and firebricks in modern times when good
sweat rocks weren't available. A prominent feature of historic Creek towns
was the "hot house" or "Chukofa" where an actual fire burned in the center
to produce a "dry sweat" felt to be very beneficial to the whole community
during winter cold spells. It was also an economizing way to ration scarce
wood and provide evening warmth for all the town's citizens.
Water used in sweats represents one of the two essential life giving
elements--water and air. We always give thanks for water from whatever
source it comes--be it spring, sinkhole, spigot or bottled. Sometimes,
a Creek sweat leader who is properly trained, uses a hollow blowing tube
through which he "bubbles" or oxidizes the water thus becoming a vessel
for One Above's breath. Bubbling water or any liquid mixture for sacred
or ceremonial purposes is a prominent feature of most southeastern India
n medicinal practices, too. To show respect in more than a symbolic manner
in the lodge, water is first given Mother Earth to drink before we partake
ourselves. Water is one of the basic elements for survival. Many elders
believe nothing can hurt the power and spirit of moving water--not poisons,
toxins, germs or diseases. Moving water purifies, heals and protects; it
is often used by One Above to heal the earth. Given free flow, water purifies
itself; it is a basic environmental principle long understood by all natural
peoples. Many Creeks will often put willow leaves in sweat water to promote
healing. Water brings out the power in all medicines because it is a matrix
of One Above.
During the building of the fire and throughout the ceremony, we often
invoke the four directions; in fact, most actions occur in sets of fours.
There are four rounds or stages of the sweat. There are four sacred medicine
colors: Pine Arbor and Florida Seminoles and Miccosukee acknowledge red,
yellow, black and white. The four stages of life--infancy, youth, maturity
and old age or eldership are also shared by these three tribes and many
others throughout north America. Meanings associated with each direction
differs somewhat from tribe to tribe in specifics but usually agree in
the broader categories--Power is geographically specific say the people
of Pine Arbor. Animals are often associated with each direction as are
many other benevolent beings.
Directional Attributes Attributes, usually four in number, are associated with each cardinal
direction. These attributes are said to influence or even to govern certain
emotions, features, ideas or intellect, passions and even personality traits
in receptive individuals. The effectiveness or force of each direction
on an individual varies greatly and depends on the interaction of the influencing
factors from the other three directions. Each attribute has an equal but
opposing partner in another direction.
The North largely governs or influences physical aspects of an individual
person's life--courage, strength, patience, and endurance. To endure with
a purpose, leads to patience. Strength is nothing more than patience exercised
for a specific purpose. Courage is built on strength--a strength that is
nothing more than courage exercised with a purpose to accomplish a specific
goal.
In short, the cold winds of winter teach the whole person about her
or his physical aspects and abilities. The North brings about physical
balance and harmony for the individual in the same manner the South brings
about those same aspects for the community as a whole entity.
East governs mind--learning. It is the direction from which light awakens
each morning: life, light, wisdom and knowledge. One must have life to
endure. Patience is endurance coupled with knowledge. Wisdom, following
this model, is knowledge exercised for a good purpose, usually one of service
and sharing or problem solving. Each eastern attribute is a sibling to
a northern attribute.
The South, from which warming breezes come, brings rains and warmth
to grow and nourish our crops. It governs our interconnected sense of community,
family, growing and working together as one body--community as a body.
Called environment and eco logy today, it is characterized by harmony and
balance, like the three sisters in a garden--corn, beans and squash. Each
puts into soil what the other needs. Harmony, balance, relationship and
interdependence are all associated with the South. Both South and West
govern, influence and teach the idea of community body and mind--family,
in the same manner North and East teach development of an individual's
body and mind. Earth is a living world with many nations such as bird,
deer, grass and the star nations; desert, forest, mountain, plains and
other regions are like clan camps--each with it own particular citizens.
Each with its own four-fold path : infancy, youth, maturity and old age.
The West is associated with humility, reverence, holiness, and the origins
of love. When the sun wakes up, it doesn't come roaring like a beast. It
gently nudges its brothers and sisters from the sky--the moon and stars--telling
them they may rest now. This is devotion--humility originates love. The
sun ends its journey with quiet humility. It doesn't brag that it is bigger
or has more light than its brothers and sisters. We learn the origins of
love through this example of true humility. It is the direction where life
ends. The sun is powerful. It does not have to rest, but each evening it
leaves quietly to make room for brothers and sisters that they may have
their season, too. This is the visible example of love--the Sun, perfect
symbol for perfect Creator. It is One Above made visible in symbolic form.
In the sweat ceremony, a talking stick is often passed so that everyone
has an opportunity to speak and to listen. If no talking stick is available,
Creeks often pass a twig of willow or cedar or they tie such a twig to
a rattle or other object t o serve as the governor of counsel. Willow and
cedar are sacred plants; the speaker speaks more clearly when holding a
twig or green bough from these plants which remind them that their words
should be as living words.
Songs are often shared in the lodge. Some have passed to us from our
elders and teachers for opening certain rounds; most reflect the spiritual
leanings of the participants. Most are songs of worship praising Creator.
They often show appreciation for creation. Songs help clear away obstructions
to clarity and growth. They lift our spirits and call upon helper beings,
ancestors and Creator.
Through combination of silence, singing, praying, and sharing from the
heart, sweat lodges become the other heart of a community. The sweat lodge
experience is very holistic with innumerable benefits to be experienced
on many levels of understanding. It is a microcosm of the cosmos.
Everything we do is an outward symbolic presentation of an inner action.
It is important that sweat rituals serve you; do not simply serve the ritual.
A certain amount of discipline and form enables participants to be more
focused as both individuals and as a community. One woman once said: "The
sweat lodge is like your child--you must care for it properly. One wouldn't
want negative influences to contaminate your child." Why would you want
a negative sweat lodge? The community is the parent o f the sweat lodge.
Know and understand the importance of the four purposes of the sweat lodge
and all the beautiful symbolism that connects the materials of the sweat
lodge and its practices to community life.
Words cannot describe all things that occur during a sweat. Each individual
receives something different than other participants; yet all share in
a general way, too. Participants in a particular lodge may come and go.
They may benefit for a while and then need to seek a different spiritual
path. This is not the way for everyone and that is fine. All that is asked
of the participant is respect--respect what we are doing and know that
our intent is good. It is important that we recognize that all are connected
to the true Great Creator of the Universe, One Above. Mvto!