Shaman Spiritual Sweat Lodge Series - Weekend Camp Out

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Sacred Shaman Sweat Lodge Ritual

Have you experienced a spiritual Sweat Lodge ritual by an awesome authentic Native Indian Shaman? Here is one of those rare opportunities. Grey Ghosthawk apprenticed under Morgan Eagle Bear, an Apache Shaman, for 12 years. He has also studied with Ojibway, Seneca, Anishinabe, Muskogee, Choctaw and Lakota Elders from North America. More recently he was privileged to study with Toltec and Huichol Elders from Central America and the Ketchiwa people of South America. Additionally, he has studied with a Maori Tahunga named Joseph Winterhawk, was appointed a Warrior in this lineage and in the Apache Tradition. As a Ceremonialist, he has been given rites to conduct the Native American Purification Lodge (Inipi), Vision Quest (Hanblecheya), Cherokee Moon Ceremony and other rites for releasing and healing. Ghosthawk carries his own personal Canupa Wakan and was honored with the ability to share his Pipe in a ceremony while at the top of Machu Pichu.

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Grey Ghosthawk is a "serious Shaman" and considers his Sweat Lodge as an intense sacred ritual. He has a very endearing, comfortable, fluid storytelling style that charms one into an authentic Native Indian experience. He interjects a bit of the "coyote's mischief" from time to time that gives a wonderful element of fun and surprise. The Shaman Spiritual Sweat Lodge experience is one of his most popular events and this event is only one weekend of the four weekends in his series.

Ghosthawk's series divides the year into four quarters aligned around the equinoxes and solstices. Each weekend event will focus on the symbolic meaning of that particular quarter from the Native American traditions and others too. He will share insights into The Medicine Wheel, The Wheel of the Year, the foods of that quarter, and whatever other information seems appropriate.

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A Sweat Lodge is a sacred purification ceremony. It is a cleansing, not only of the body, but also of the mind, heart, and spirit as well. This ceremony precedes almost all other significant Native American ceremonies. The Sweat Lodge ceremony is approached in a very humble and peaceful manner. Outside, around the sacred fire, it is the place we center our self and connect with Creator prior to entering the Lodge. The Lodge represents the womb of the Earth Mother, we enter the womb, die a symbolic spiritual death, and emerge reborn and renewed. We enter as equals and once inside, we are only concerned with our own prayers. An extremely respectful ambiance is maintained throughout the ceremony. When participating in one, don't be surprised if you have a very profound mystical experience... especially toward the end.

A deposit of $50 for all four series or $15 for only this one event is required to hold your spot at this event, available until there are no spots left. All deposits are nonrefundable within two weeks of the event. There will be a limit of 20 people, to avoid crowding the Lodge too much. The $15 will be used to buy the food for the Friday night meal, this will be a meal featuring the foods of each quarter. All other meals will be on your own. Saturday night's meal will be following the Lodge and is usually a pot luck, so bring something to share with everyone. Other costs for the series will be the camping fees for each weekend. These are very reasonable at $12 for each of the 2 on the weekends at Plant City, and $20 for each of the other 2 weekends in Lakeland. These will be payable to the campground at the weekend of the event. This particular event is only $12 campground fee and $15 Sweat Lodge fee, total $27.

Additionally, as in all Native Indian ceremonies there is a balance. An exchange of energy between the facilitator (water pourer), the fire tender, and all participants must take place. The traditional gift is a tobacco offering, but whatever Spirit moves you to gift is good as long as it is from the heart. There is no charge for ceremony just an exchange of energy for balance. Some people leave green energy (cash); some leave craft items, objects from nature, books, CD’s, etc. Some leave nothing at all, as they may be unable to gift anything, this is not improper as an exchange of energy can still take place through writing a poem, giving a big hug to the facilitator, etc. Whatever the case, it is “all good” if it comes from the heart.

If you have any special objects that you want blessed with the energy of the Lodge, by all means bring them and place them on the altar. People have brought their pipes, ritual objects, pictures of family, friends, or ancestors that have crossed over. Crystals are often charged on the altar, drums, rattles, anything you want blessed and/or consecrated, please feel free to bring.

All should bring a blanket with which to cover the Lodge. The Lodge is made up of a frame constructed out of willow branches. The Lodge must be covered completely to hold in the heat and to block out any light. Bringing your own blanket puts your own personal energy into the construction of the Lodge.

More info: http://www.facebook.com/wheeloftheyearsweatlodgeseries

GreyGhosthawk: tajredhawk@aol.com

The Plant City campsite is at an amazing campground, where the people are very friendly, respectful, down to earth, spiritual, open minded, and it will feel like you've known them for a long time right away. It is a little over an hour drive from Orlando, a rustic setting, well cleared, no electricity at individual campsites, and bathrooms with showers provided.

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