Inipi - Sweat lodge

Information about the Inipi (sweat lodge of the Lakota):

The Indians were and are like our Celtic ancestors In all their actions as primitive peoples in this region, they have been closely connected with the Creator of the cosmos, Mother Earth, the mountains, minerals, plants and all living beings. They have utilised the galactic cycles of the cosmos and energetic connections to all life forms for their Living in Harmony and harmony with nature worshipped and used in their rituals.

The InipiRitual (Lakota: they sweat) was widely used by the Indians of North America as well as by other indigenous peoples of the northern hemisphere and has been used for thousands of years for ceremonial cleansing, physical health maintenance and healing during illness.

The natural energetic Forces and water sources of the Mirnock can therefore help, especially during a sweat lodge ceremony, to Self-healing powers in people.

Building:

The healing sweat lodge is erected on a quiet, level spot in the open air using 16 long willow sticks or hazelnut rods. The sticks are inserted into the holes in the ground in a circle starting from the west, connected in arches to the sticks on the opposite side and joined together in a dome shape by four rings. A hole for the hot stones is dug in the centre of the hut and the earth is heaped into a sacred mound (altar) next to the entrance in the west. The fireplace is also located in the west and is connected to the hut by a path. The Fire stands for the Sun and the Hut for the Earthwhich is energised by the sun. The sweat lodge is covered with blankets (formerly skins) and waterproof tarpaulin so that it is completely dark inside.

Ritual:

The selected stones are piled up in a pyramid shape on the logs, which are arranged on a platform facing the four cardinal points of the compass, and the fire is lit in a ritual by the master of ceremonies and fire keeper with the group with tobacco offerings, drumming, singing and prayer, until after about two hours the fire has made the stones glow.

After cleaning the participants by Smoking with sage, cedar or sweet grass, after taking off their clothes (like in a sauna) they enter the sweat lodge and sit down on the floor in a circle around the centre.

The fire keeper now brings from the fireplace the glowing stones The stones are placed in the hut with a pitchfork and placed in the hole, which heats the air considerably. Herbs are then placed on the hot stones for purification and water is poured on top.

The ceremony consists of 4 passes with several infusions, whereby the participants remain in the sweat lodge and only the fire keeper opens the door to ventilate or bring in new stones.

1st round: Invitation of all spiritual beings, the ancestors, of the square and the sacred directions.

2nd round: Round of thanksgiving and prayer (with requests for energy, insight, ideas, vision, love, health, knowledge, wisdom or letting go of negative thoughts and fears),

3rd round: Healing round and

4th round: for harmony and peace, Reflection. In between, the participants are given water to drink. The ritual leader accompanies the prayers and healing songs with drums and rattles.

Sweating and praying has the following effects internal and external physical cleansing also a Reunion between spirit and soulso that the person feels reborn afterwards. The dome resembles the earth's hemisphere and also the belly of a pregnant woman. The participants symbolically return to the belly of Mother Earth and experience a cleansing, renewal and re-creation of life energy.

The energy stored in the wood Energy from the sun is transformed into water vapour by the fire in the stones and in the sweat lodge with air and thus purifies the body. Body, mind and soul. The ceremony lasts indoors between 2 and 3 hours and ends outside by the fireplace with a round of talks and a small meal.