Early Finnish sauna bathers believed fire was heaven sent. If the sweat fire was fueled by choice firewood and tended with appropriate ritual, disease and evil influences could be warded off. Treated disrespectfully, fire could (and would eventually) engulf and destroy the bather.

As we make the sweat fire, after gathering all the appropriate and needed materials, we are also preparing propitiations between mind, body, spirit and soul--a conciliatory reckoning to restore balance and harmony between these four elements. To s how this intent while building the fire, fire makers offer constant prayers of thanksgiving for all the purposes at hand, especially prayers for participants that they may be cleansed in all these four parts and experience renewal. The purifying heat to come forth from the fire is also acknowledged and thanked for its help: heat, light and strength. The visible conclusion to all Native American prayers is the gift of tobacco to Creator. A fire maker often places tobacco into the structure of the fire as h e or she sets the wood in place; tobacco is always carefully and tenderly placed into the newly ignited fire after it has caught sufficiently. Many fire tenders offer participants tobacco to place in the fire with their own special prayers and thanksgivings. It is not unusual for knowledgeable participants to bring tobacco with them for that purpose and to share with their sweat leader or fire maker.

Wood is important on many levels, as is the choice of stones, rocks or bricks to receive the heat and facilitate the sweating. Again, well-founded participants share in the gathering or bringing of wood so that it doesn't become an unnecessary expense or time burden on the sweat leader or fire maker. Natural woods are best--those gathered from Mother Earth's breast without felling live trees or breaking off their branches. Wood in other forms is also acceptable, often more abundant and sometimes necessary. We try not to use lumber with nails in it, and never pressure treated wood. Damp, wet or rotted wood is also to be avoided. Certain woods are favored for particular occasions or uses. Cedar is always regarded as a spiritually impregnated wood carrying special properties which can enhance properly offered prayers. Cedar shavings are sometimes placed in the bottom of the fire pit to fragrance the lodge. Evergreen needles are sometimes used for this. Fat-lighter pine, abundant in the South, makes a good fire starter but is a poor choice for the principal wood--too much acrid ash, smell, smoke and tar. Seasoned wood burns rapidly and well. Green wood is preferred by many sweat leaders who believe it imparts more force and power to both participant and stone than commercial lumber gathered without ceremony or acknowledgment. Wise experienced leaders will combine different types of green and seasoned wood in a ceremonial sweat fire. Each type of wood imparts a different energy and heat to the occasion. By mixing different types of wood in the same fire, a sweat leader can kindle a fire specific to the purpose of a particular occasion and bring appropriate energies to bear which will enhance all proper ceremonial actions.

Other important points remembered and practiced by Creeks, Fekseko and the people of Pine Arbor are: to thank the wood as it is gathered or collected and to smudge it before beginning to build the fire. Bringing raw water and flame together is to mix opposite spiritual elements in an improper fashion; therefore, avoid using damp or wet wood when laying the fire. Because of this principle, it is neither correct nor proper to blow on the fire with moist breath. Pine Arbor sweat leaders include appropriate fans in their sweat lodge gear such as a bird wing, stretched leather on a wooden frame or a woven fan such as that used at the Busk Fire. An old hat will do in a pinch (--especially if it isn't yours!) Finally, nothing except for more wood, tobacco or a special morsel or other offering is to be placed in the sweat fire or any ceremonial fire for that matter. Nothing with saliva on it may go into the fire--period. To throw any trash on the fire is a great desecration! Fekseko and all sweat leaders are constantly learning about woods and their different qualities from their own experience and practice; wood is always teaching the careful observer. Wood and Stone, Fire and Water, Light and Dark, Earth and Sky, Lodge and the Outdoors along with the Sweat Leader and Participant make up the necessary duality of the Muskogee Sweat Lodge Ceremonial according to Pine Arbor Tribal Town's traditions.

The stones used in the sweat represent Earth as both Grandmother and Mother--an eternal matrilineal kinship. Stones are symbols of endurance in the same manner in which Earth endures. Creeks regard sweat stones as bones of Mother Earth. They are alive. Stones absorb the power of fire. When water is splashed on them in the lodge, the steam or vapor produced is also considered powerful and holy--the visible symbol of Creator's Breath. Finns call this vapor "loyly," spirit of life. Such rocks or stones are sometimes called "rock people," signifying that we are related to them as we are with all creation. Stone is to Earth as bone is to flesh say the old time Creeks of Pine Arbor.

As in creating the lodge or gathering wood, prayers and offerings are given when obtaining stones for the sweat. Usually stones are gathered from dry fields, uplands, hillsides or mountainsides. Those taken from streams or near wet places will exp lode when heated! Creeks often used baked clay balls in ancient times and firebricks in modern times when good sweat rocks weren't available. A prominent feature of historic Creek towns was the "hot house" or "Chukofa" where an actual fire burned in the center to produce a "dry sweat" felt to be very beneficial to the whole community during winter cold spells. It was also an economizing way to ration scarce wood and provide evening warmth for all the town's citizens.

Water used in sweats represents one of the two essential life giving elements--water and air. We always give thanks for water from whatever source it comes--be it spring, sinkhole, spigot or bottled. Sometimes, a Creek sweat leader who is properly trained, uses a hollow blowing tube through which he "bubbles" or oxidizes the water thus becoming a vessel for One Above's breath. Bubbling water or any liquid mixture for sacred or ceremonial purposes is a prominent feature of most southeastern India n medicinal practices, too. To show respect in more than a symbolic manner in the lodge, water is first given Mother Earth to drink before we partake ourselves. Water is one of the basic elements for survival. Many elders believe nothing can hurt the power and spirit of moving water--not poisons, toxins, germs or diseases. Moving water purifies, heals and protects; it is often used by One Above to heal the earth. Given free flow, water purifies itself; it is a basic environmental principle long understood by all natural peoples. Many Creeks will often put willow leaves in sweat water to promote healing. Water brings out the power in all medicines because it is a matrix of One Above.

During the building of the fire and throughout the ceremony, we often invoke the four directions; in fact, most actions occur in sets of fours. There are four rounds or stages of the sweat. There are four sacred medicine colors: Pine Arbor and Florida Seminoles and Miccosukee acknowledge red, yellow, black and white. The four stages of life--infancy, youth, maturity and old age or eldership are also shared by these three tribes and many others throughout north America. Meanings associated with each direction differs somewhat from tribe to tribe in specifics but usually agree in the broader categories--Power is geographically specific say the people of Pine Arbor. Animals are often associated with each direction as are many other benevolent beings.

Attributes, usually four in number, are associated with each cardinal direction. These attributes are said to influence or even to govern certain emotions, features, ideas or intellect, passions and even personality traits in receptive individuals. The effectiveness or force of each direction on an individual varies greatly and depends on the interaction of the influencing factors from the other three directions. Each attribute has an equal but opposing partner in another direction.

The North largely governs or influences physical aspects of an individual person's life--courage, strength, patience, and endurance. To endure with a purpose, leads to patience. Strength is nothing more than patience exercised for a specific purpose. Courage is built on strength--a strength that is nothing more than courage exercised with a purpose to accomplish a specific goal.

In short, the cold winds of winter teach the whole person about her or his physical aspects and abilities. The North brings about physical balance and harmony for the individual in the same manner the South brings about those same aspects for the community as a whole entity.

East governs mind--learning. It is the direction from which light awakens each morning: life, light, wisdom and knowledge. One must have life to endure. Patience is endurance coupled with knowledge. Wisdom, following this model, is knowledge exercised for a good purpose, usually one of service and sharing or problem solving. Each eastern attribute is a sibling to a northern attribute.

The South, from which warming breezes come, brings rains and warmth to grow and nourish our crops. It governs our interconnected sense of community, family, growing and working together as one body--community as a body. Called environment and eco logy today, it is characterized by harmony and balance, like the three sisters in a garden--corn, beans and squash. Each puts into soil what the other needs. Harmony, balance, relationship and interdependence are all associated with the South. Both South and West govern, influence and teach the idea of community body and mind--family, in the same manner North and East teach development of an individual's body and mind. Earth is a living world with many nations such as bird, deer, grass and the star nations; desert, forest, mountain, plains and other regions are like clan camps--each with it own particular citizens. Each with its own four-fold path : infancy, youth, maturity and old age.

The West is associated with humility, reverence, holiness, and the origins of love. When the sun wakes up, it doesn't come roaring like a beast. It gently nudges its brothers and sisters from the sky--the moon and stars--telling them they may rest now. This is devotion--humility originates love. The sun ends its journey with quiet humility. It doesn't brag that it is bigger or has more light than its brothers and sisters. We learn the origins of love through this example of true humility. It is the direction where life ends. The sun is powerful. It does not have to rest, but each evening it leaves quietly to make room for brothers and sisters that they may have their season, too. This is the visible example of love--the Sun, perfect symbol for perfect Creator. It is One Above made visible in symbolic form.

In the sweat ceremony, a talking stick is often passed so that everyone has an opportunity to speak and to listen. If no talking stick is available, Creeks often pass a twig of willow or cedar or they tie such a twig to a rattle or other object t o serve as the governor of counsel. Willow and cedar are sacred plants; the speaker speaks more clearly when holding a twig or green bough from these plants which remind them that their words should be as living words.

Songs are often shared in the lodge. Some have passed to us from our elders and teachers for opening certain rounds; most reflect the spiritual leanings of the participants. Most are songs of worship praising Creator. They often show appreciation for creation. Songs help clear away obstructions to clarity and growth. They lift our spirits and call upon helper beings, ancestors and Creator.

Through combination of silence, singing, praying, and sharing from the heart, sweat lodges become the other heart of a community. The sweat lodge experience is very holistic with innumerable benefits to be experienced on many levels of understanding. It is a microcosm of the cosmos.

Everything we do is an outward symbolic presentation of an inner action. It is important that sweat rituals serve you; do not simply serve the ritual. A certain amount of discipline and form enables participants to be more focused as both individuals and as a community. One woman once said: "The sweat lodge is like your child--you must care for it properly. One wouldn't want negative influences to contaminate your child." Why would you want a negative sweat lodge? The community is the parent o f the sweat lodge. Know and understand the importance of the four purposes of the sweat lodge and all the beautiful symbolism that connects the materials of the sweat lodge and its practices to community life.

Words cannot describe all things that occur during a sweat. Each individual receives something different than other participants; yet all share in a general way, too. Participants in a particular lodge may come and go. They may benefit for a while and then need to seek a different spiritual path. This is not the way for everyone and that is fine. All that is asked of the participant is respect--respect what we are doing and know that our intent is good. It is important that we recognize that all are connected to the true Great Creator of the Universe, One Above. Mvto!