Sweat lodges are found everywhere in North America and are made of various materials. In the northeast the sweat lodge is made from willow poles with birch bark or skins, in the southeast, earth mounds, in the plains, buffalo skins, in the northwest, cedar planks.
Among Native People the sweat lodge is more sacrament than recreational and is associated with prayer and preparation, but in California the sweat lodge is both a dwelling place and ceremonial center.
The rite of the sweat lodge utilizes all of the powers of the universe: earth, water, fire and air. When we use the water, we should think of the Father whom is always flowing, giving power and life to everything. The rocks represent the Grandmother Earth and the indestructible and everlasting nature of the Father. The round fireplace at the center of the sweat lodge represents the center of the universe. All these things are sacred to us and must be understood deeply if we wish to purify ourselves. The darkness represents the darkness of ignorance, from which we must purify ourselves, so that we may have the light. Those who have participated are as men women, born again.
There are three major types of sweat structures. The lodge in which stones are brought in and water poured on them, a lodge with a central fire in which no water is used, a stone or clay house using a duct to bring heat from an outside fire. The best stones to use in a sweat lodge are igneous. Lava rocks hold heat the longest and do not crumble when water is poured on them. Round stones about the size of a man's head are preferred. Stones that have quartz in them, are from river beds, or have white granite in them are never to be used, for they sometimes explode when they are heated and water is poured on them.
Do not enter if you are not ready to be cleansed of such things as anger and jealousy. The pipe and tobacco are used to help send prayers up to the Creator, though not all peoples smoke during the ceremonies.
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