Join us in Sacred Ceremony..
Ceremony protocol
All who come with pure intent are welcome!
We ask that men wear no shirts in the lodge to show vulnerability. Women should wear sweat dresses, or a skirt and a t-shirt, shoulders should be covered. Women on their moon cycle, should wait to attend ceremony as this is a time of self-purification.
Bring a towel and water, and food to share after the ceremony (optional).
Gifts for the lodge leader and fire keeper such as sage, cedar, stones, or what you feel called to give are appropriate, and may be placed on the lodge alter.
There isn’t a charge for ceremony, but donations are appreciated to support the lodge and cover the cost of food, firewood, and fuel. Send a donation
About the lodge
An Inipi Sweat lodge is a Lakota purification ceremony, it consists of clearing the physical body, the busy mind, and the energetic field, to bring you back into balance.
The sweat lodge is made of red willow and formed in a star lodge pattern. There are many different lodge creations for each tribe who use this way of life to heal their people.
Special stones from Mount Shasta are taken in a good way and prayed over before the ceremony begins. Wood is also gathered in respect to be offered to the 4 directions to heat the stones with prayer.
Herbs are gathered and placed on the stones during sweat lodge ceremony, to release the tension in the body and open the heart to receive. The main herbs we use are tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, and cedar. These are called the 4 sacred and offered to the 4 directions.
Our way is the “Sundance” way. We use a pipe called a Chanupa to send our prayers to grandfather. We use willow bark called Cuncasa (Chun Chasha) as a tobacco. It has a sweet taste and does not hurt you. Everything is done in prayer including the songs we sing in our lodges. Each song has a purpose, such as Spirit calling songs, honor songs, sending prayer songs, encouraging songs, acknowledging songs, healing songs, children healing songs, and so on. There are 4 rounds or doors for each ceremony.
Sitting in darkness with the heat and the steam reveals self-reflection in the participants. It is about seeing yourself with your renewed awareness. We encourage you to sing along with the songs and clap your hands!
You can leave the lodge if you need to, just let Matthew know you need to get out. You can rejoin the next round if you feel ready.
About Matthew
Mathew Bueno (Lightning Bear) is the spiritual son of Mato Wapiya Cikala. (Little Bear Doctor), a Lakota medicine man from South Dakota who was his teacher. He continues to pass on these teachings in a humble and compassionate manner.
Matthew began Sundancing in 1998, and completed his 12-year commitment. He is now the drum leader for the Mount Shasta, CA Sundance ceremony.
Address
1020 Davis Place Rd Mt Shasta, CA 96067
If you need help locating the lodge or have questions, please call.
Matthew 530-276-3642