Sweat Lodge at Sacred Grove Retreat Center- 3rd Sunday Each Month @ 2:00
What is a Sweat Lodge?
A sweat lodge is an ancient ceremony used for purification and healing. The Lodge itself represents the womb of Mother Earth. We enter into the Lodge and offer out prayers and set our intentions with Spirit. As we leave the Lodge, we are being reborn into the new life we choose to create for ourselves. Most people experience a shift either from the release of prayers or simply by the re-unification to Mother Earth. Although the intention of each lodge can be different, the sacred space created by the darkness and the heat always allows for Spirit to whisper into the ears of those present.
What happens at a Sweat Lodge?
A sacred fire is built around stones outside the lodge and is attended by a Fire Keeper. Participants crawl into the lodge and the hot stones are placed into a pit in the center. The stones are blessed by the leader with cedar and sweet grass. Water is then sprinkled on the rocks, instantly turning into steam. This begins round 1 in which songs are sung and prayers are made to the Creator. At the end of the round, more stones are added for round two. There are a total of four rounds, honoring each of the four cardinal directions. After the Sweat, all are welcome to share in a feast.
The Fire Keepers will light the Fire at 2:00pm and the Lodge will begin around 4:00pm. We ask that you arrive by 3:00 to dress the Lodge and share in community before the Ceremony. Bring a towel, a change of clothes and water to drink after the Lodge. Dress is modest and tradition asks that women wear a T shirt and skirt (or sarong) to honor the Elders, men wear a t-shirt and shorts or sarong. A change of clothes for after the Lodge is a good idea.
Please bring a dish to share in a community meal after the Lodge is over.
Suggested donation is $40.00
Circle Gathering – 2nd Wednesday each month -Sacred Grove Retreat Center 6:30-8:00
When we come together in Circle, we create a community, a place to share experiences, viewpoints and learn from each other while expanding our understanding of our own lives. We come together as a group and share our thoughts, connecting with each other and with Source. We are open and honest and we allow Spirit to move through us as we make clear our intention to live spiritually integrated lives.
Each of these Gatherings will focus on a specific spiritual concept or principle, allowing us to deepen our understanding through connecting with one another and exploring the shared truths. If a topic interests you, we welcome your participation and ideas. It is our intention that this will be an ongoing series of Gatherings for the community,. join us for one or some or all of these events.
Followed by coffee and fellowship and continued
conversation.
Love Donations are appreciated to support Otterdance events at Sacred Grove
Future topics include:
*Imagination, Dreams and Visions
*Thoughts on reincarnation
*Clearing the Hollow Bone
*Channeling
*Creating a Spiritual Path
*Living a Passionate Life
*Trusting Spirit
*Staying the Course in a Divisive World
Healing Drum Circle – 4th Sunday each month – Sacred Grove Retreat Center 3:00-6:00
The Drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. When we use this powerful instrument and the vibration it creates with intention the results are tangible. As we gather together in a circle with our Drums we create a community of Healing Vibrations.
Join us as we create ceremony to release, cleanse and heal that which no longer serves and then we claim and set our intentions for a new path. We finish up with a joyful celebration through drumming!
We will follow up the Drum Circle with a Community meal and sharing
What to bring:
Drums, rattles and other percussion instruments
Dish to share in community meal
A loving heart and open mind.
Love Donation, we offer this Ceremony on a Love donation basis. It is important to complete the energetic circle by giving as you receive.
We encourage everyone to arrive at 3:00 in order that we can open the circle at 3:15. It can be disruptive to have people join the circle after we begin, as this is an important part of the Ceremony. This gives everyone time to settle in and say our hellos and connect before the Circle.
The Fire Dance, April 26-28, Sacred Grove Retreat Center
This Dance will ignite the passion and creativity within you to live your life fully as intended by Spirit. This dance is about stepping into life fully and completely. It will burn away the thing inside that blocks you and holds you back. The energy of this Fire Dance is incredibly powerful! We dance with 5 fires within a Medicine Wheel. The Spirit Keepers of the Directions are Dancing too! Spirit is Dancing in the Fire. It is tangible!
If you are called and if you are ready, the Fires are waiting………..and will forever be carried in your heart as a Fire Dancer!
Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested!
Dancer Donation is on a sliding scale between $300-$450. It is up to the Dancer to know where they are in their prosperity.
Crew Donation is $40, beds are available for crew at $75 for the weekend.
Camping for the Crew is available on the grounds
To register for this Fire Dance, robbie@otterdance.com
“It is time. Time to let the spark within our hearts grow and spread into a fire. Time to dance through that fire and let it burn away everything that does not serve us. Forged in heart-fire we re-emerge into the world and step fully into ourselves, ready to share the warmth and lead the way. Let’s DANCE!”……….Trai Hill
Animal Medicine Workshop May – 11th, 10:00-6:00 Sacred Grove Retreat Center
The natural power of animal spirit guides has not been lost. The knowledge and power of animal guides is alive and can be effectively used to improve our lives and all creation. American Indians call the process of connecting with animal guides and other parts of creation as being ‘One with Nature.’
Connecting with your animal guides will make you a better person. You will be healthier physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You will see the world and all things in it with more clarity and understanding.
Symbolic of the four sacred directions, four seasons, and the four colors of man, there are four basic types of animal guides.
Whether an animal spirit comes by dreams, signs and symbolic events, or actual events it is important to first determine if the guide is a Messenger Guide, Shadow Guide, Journey Guide or Life Guide.
The meaning and lessons an animal guide brings will differ according to the type of guide it may be. Learning to differentiate between the four types of totems is critical to knowing how to react and the actions you will take when an animal totem makes itself known to you. All guides are powerful.
We will explore the four types of guides and share our own personal experiences for clarification. This workshop will open doors to the natural world and new ways of healing.
The Workshop cost is $80.00 and includes lunch at The Grove. Please reserve your space by May 8th with a deposit of $40 through
www.otterdance.com using the Paypal button. For any questions please email Robbie@OtterDance.com
