Wet... like a rock in the water.
At the invitation of ragnarkraki, Paneb and I attended a Sweat Lodge. For those who don't know what it is, here is a short description of one Sweat Lodge.
The particulars of my relationship with my Gods require that I get Their permission before engaging in any non-Kemetic spiritual practices, so I threw a Fedw before I went, asking Sekhmet if it would be physically safe for me to attend, and if I had Her and Heru's permission to do so.
Happily, She answered "yes" to both.
On the drive there, a hawk flew past in the path of our car. Hawks are much rarer to be seen here, so we feel especially good about it when we come across them.
At the grounds, I had a lot of time to meditate on what I was doing and why I was there while I swept the leaves out of the changing areas, and a path around the lodge, which was very large. People who had come from Wisconsin and Wyoming to attend, said that the lodge was bigger than any they had seen.
Sweeping was good for me. Up until the sweeping, I had been feeling quite 'out of my element' and not really with it. Sweeping helped.
The people in attendance were marvelously kind. They sang and drummed as the fire was fed. Drums were propped up to stand in front of the fire. One of the older gentleman who had traveled a distance to do "some things in the Mountains" as he put it, had the most mesmerizing voice.
The fire was the biggest I have ever seen, and whirwinds of sparks rose up from it. I overheard plans for rituals to heal the land, mountains, trees... at least I think that is what was said. It's kind of a blur now.
I remember placing offerings of tobacco to the water, to the fire, and making a prayer there of my intent.
Not that it is necessary to make such comparisons, but the energy was very different from what I have grown accustomed to. The air seemed to be teaming with spirits. Friendly, but utterly wild, untame, and out of control. I was respectfully awed.
When it was time to enter, we were smudged with sage. I was instructed to get on all fours, and ask for permission to enter. Permission was signaled by a response of (what sounded like) "Aho" from the Sweat Leader. I replied, "Aho, all my relations." and crawled inside.
As the lodge was beginning to be warmed, all the children were given a chance to speak about whatever was on their minds and be acknowledged, then depart the tent.
The Sweat Leader explained that many do not allow musical instruments into the Lodge, but that he does, provided that they never touch the floor, and so when you brought one in, you were responsible for that. Instruments were passed through the door to their players.
We women were each given a sprig of fresh sage to 'breathe through' if the air was too hot.
The procedings were divided into 4 sections, each an opportunity for a different kind of prayer. Each rock as it came through the door, glowing bright red from the inside, seemed aware of its purpose and ready to 'work'. Their character put me in mind of my Father, Heru-ur which makes sense now that I think of it...
When the water was poured, the heat wasn't as bad as I expected it might be. But the billows of herb-enriched, scalding steam challenged my unprotected face and my lungs.
Prayers involving the animals went well for me, and I felt very strongly 'connected' during that session.
In the second, however, I began to come somewhat unhinged. My focus and eventually my entire consciousness flickered, like a light bulb in an electrical storm. I have to admit, I did not find the experience conducive to prayer. Perhaps the fault is mine, but I really thought I was open to the experience. I wanted to be.
In spite of this setback, it seemed to be working in unexpected ways. In terms of the symbolism of the thing, and the synchronicity I felt with regard to what was being spoken by the leader, and others in their turn, it became clear that I had chosen exactly the right vehicle for the type of change I am trying to effect within myself.
While more rocks were being laid in the pit, the Sweat Leader asked everyone new to the Lodge to say how they felt. "Not what you are thinking, but how you feel..." he said, explaining further that the purpose was to give you a memory of your first time there.
My answer came easily; "I feel wet."
"Wet... like?"
"Like a rock, in the water."
I think some people thought I meant wet like the rocks in the pit, having water poured over them. But in my mind's eye, was the image of a rock in a stream.
He understood though, and expounded upon this vision in what I found to be a very informative and useful way.
There were eight more songs for the final stretch, and when it was all over, everyone hugged eachother, and thanked eachother for the prayers.
There were showers, and a delicious meal afterward.
9 hours had passed before we left.
I twirled my bit of sage between my fingers as we made our way home.
The particulars of my relationship with my Gods require that I get Their permission before engaging in any non-Kemetic spiritual practices, so I threw a Fedw before I went, asking Sekhmet if it would be physically safe for me to attend, and if I had Her and Heru's permission to do so.
Happily, She answered "yes" to both.
On the drive there, a hawk flew past in the path of our car. Hawks are much rarer to be seen here, so we feel especially good about it when we come across them.
At the grounds, I had a lot of time to meditate on what I was doing and why I was there while I swept the leaves out of the changing areas, and a path around the lodge, which was very large. People who had come from Wisconsin and Wyoming to attend, said that the lodge was bigger than any they had seen.
Sweeping was good for me. Up until the sweeping, I had been feeling quite 'out of my element' and not really with it. Sweeping helped.
The people in attendance were marvelously kind. They sang and drummed as the fire was fed. Drums were propped up to stand in front of the fire. One of the older gentleman who had traveled a distance to do "some things in the Mountains" as he put it, had the most mesmerizing voice.
The fire was the biggest I have ever seen, and whirwinds of sparks rose up from it. I overheard plans for rituals to heal the land, mountains, trees... at least I think that is what was said. It's kind of a blur now.
I remember placing offerings of tobacco to the water, to the fire, and making a prayer there of my intent.
Not that it is necessary to make such comparisons, but the energy was very different from what I have grown accustomed to. The air seemed to be teaming with spirits. Friendly, but utterly wild, untame, and out of control. I was respectfully awed.
When it was time to enter, we were smudged with sage. I was instructed to get on all fours, and ask for permission to enter. Permission was signaled by a response of (what sounded like) "Aho" from the Sweat Leader. I replied, "Aho, all my relations." and crawled inside.
As the lodge was beginning to be warmed, all the children were given a chance to speak about whatever was on their minds and be acknowledged, then depart the tent.
The Sweat Leader explained that many do not allow musical instruments into the Lodge, but that he does, provided that they never touch the floor, and so when you brought one in, you were responsible for that. Instruments were passed through the door to their players.
We women were each given a sprig of fresh sage to 'breathe through' if the air was too hot.
The procedings were divided into 4 sections, each an opportunity for a different kind of prayer. Each rock as it came through the door, glowing bright red from the inside, seemed aware of its purpose and ready to 'work'. Their character put me in mind of my Father, Heru-ur which makes sense now that I think of it...
When the water was poured, the heat wasn't as bad as I expected it might be. But the billows of herb-enriched, scalding steam challenged my unprotected face and my lungs.
Prayers involving the animals went well for me, and I felt very strongly 'connected' during that session.
In the second, however, I began to come somewhat unhinged. My focus and eventually my entire consciousness flickered, like a light bulb in an electrical storm. I have to admit, I did not find the experience conducive to prayer. Perhaps the fault is mine, but I really thought I was open to the experience. I wanted to be.
In spite of this setback, it seemed to be working in unexpected ways. In terms of the symbolism of the thing, and the synchronicity I felt with regard to what was being spoken by the leader, and others in their turn, it became clear that I had chosen exactly the right vehicle for the type of change I am trying to effect within myself.
While more rocks were being laid in the pit, the Sweat Leader asked everyone new to the Lodge to say how they felt. "Not what you are thinking, but how you feel..." he said, explaining further that the purpose was to give you a memory of your first time there.
My answer came easily; "I feel wet."
"Wet... like?"
"Like a rock, in the water."
I think some people thought I meant wet like the rocks in the pit, having water poured over them. But in my mind's eye, was the image of a rock in a stream.
He understood though, and expounded upon this vision in what I found to be a very informative and useful way.
There were eight more songs for the final stretch, and when it was all over, everyone hugged eachother, and thanked eachother for the prayers.
There were showers, and a delicious meal afterward.
9 hours had passed before we left.
I twirled my bit of sage between my fingers as we made our way home.