Half Moon Inipi Ceremony (Traditional Lakota Sweat Lodge)

Half Moon Inipi Ceremony (Traditional Lakota Sweat Lodge)

Please join us at The Burrow for a truly transformational day. We begin by coming together to light the sacred fire, which will heat the stones for our sweat lodge. However, this is only the beginning of the experience. While the stones warm, we will not rush or fill the time with distractions. Instead, we will embrace the sacred pause—the Ma, a concept in Japanese culture that honours the space between moments. This time of stillness, reflection, and simply being is a vital part of the day.

Much like our ancestors would have done, we will use this time to connect with nature, sing songs, and engage in simple crafts, but most importantly, we will give ourselves permission to pause. It is in these moments of stillness, in the space between, that deep insight, healing, and connection can arise. This sacred pause prepares us for the ceremony ahead, allowing us to enter the sweat lodge with clear minds and open hearts.

When the stones are ready, we will enter the lodge, a womb-like space for healing, introspection, and reconnection to our ancestors. You will have the opportunity to set intentions, express gratitude, and let go of what no longer serves you. The steam from the heated stones purges toxins from the body, while the ceremony cleanses the spirit. As we sing and meditate, we continue to honour the sacred pauses between moments of activity, knowing that the power lies not just in what we do, but in the spaces we allow ourselves to rest within.

When we emerge from the sweat lodge, having released the old, we will gather around the fire for a feast, sharing stories and nourishing our bodies, completing the cycle of renewal.

The Half Moon

The half moon is a moment of balance - half in shadow, half in light. It stands between the fullness of potential and the surrender of release, a perfect reflection of the transformation that takes place within the sweat lodge. Neither the beginning nor the end, it is the sacred pause between - much like the space we honour before entering the lodge, allowing insight to emerge in the quiet stillness.

As the half moon hangs in the sky, it reminds us that transformation is a process, not an instant. We arrive carrying all that we have been, and through the ceremony, we begin to shed what no longer serves us, moving toward clarity, renewal, and a deeper connection to ourselves. Like the moon, we are always in motion, always shifting, yet there is power in this midpoint - an opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign before the next cycle begins.

On this half-moon day, we gather in the in-between, honouring the transition as we prepare to step into the lodge, allowing the fire, the stones, and the sacred space to guide us toward balance, release, and renewal.

About the Sweat Lodge

The lodge is a place to heal. It’s a space for introspection and connection to your ancestors. You have time to express gratitude, set intentions, and leave behind anything that no longer serves you. Much like any modern-day sauna, the physical process of sweating helps your body purge toxins. You’ll experience storytelling, meditation, and singing. The sweat lodge acts as a detox that helps you move beyond the physical into the spiritual. It is an experience that uses the elements to help you reconnect to nature. The lodge door is opened four times during the ceremony, representing the four ages shared by the White Buffalo Calf Woman. After the fourth opening, all participants leave the lodge, symbolically shedding anything impure.

Which tradition will the ceremony follow?

Traditions vary from culture to culture. Becky, your sweat lodge pourer takes inspiration from the traditions of the native, North American Lakota tribe. The Lakota people, renowned as a strong and fierce tribe of warriors, form part of the larger Sioux people - the People of the Seven Council Fires (Oceti Sakowin Oyate).

Who holds the ceremony?

Becky's passion for this medicine began over ten years ago, when she sat in her first Sweat Lodge in the mountains of Ecuador. She has continued this practice of ceremonial prayer in Central and South America, including time living in communities following the path of The Red Road.

The love she has for these traditions took her to Scotland, where she completed her lodge training with Twobirds Cunningham in 2021. For over two years, Becky has facilitated her own lodges in the UK, blending inspiration from the Lakota peoples of the Sioux and traditions of the indigenous peoples of ancient Mexico. Her love for nature and the elements is truly reflected inside and outside the lodge.

The sweat lodge is a safe confidential space. Everyone agrees to maintain confidentiality for their fellow participants. After the sweat lodge, we will share food around the fire. It is important to have this time to connect and decompress after the lodge.

Please visit Becky's website here to learn more.

How long is the event?

This is a whole day event. There is no fixed schedule linked to time. Things unfold as the day goes by, and things happen when the time is right. We will finish by 7pm. Please plan for an easy day the next day.

Location:The Burrow is located 3 miles from Farnham Train Station. When you book your ticket, you’ll receive an email with further information, including the precise location. Closer to the event, we’ll set up a WhatsApp group for pre planning discussions, including car sharing should you require.