With gratitude and anticipation, we are preparing for our June Gathering at the farm in Ellenville. Whether you have been with us for many seasons or you are new to inipi ceremonies with this community, we welcome you as family of one heart. If you are new, you can find more information about how to prepare for ceremony here. And there is also specific information about what to bring, what to wear, directions and more on this page. We look forward to seeing you soon!

June Lodge – June 21, 22, 23
Friday, June 21 – Lodge Preparation
Saturday, June 22 – Inipi Sweat Lodge Ceremony and Feast
Sunday, June 23 – Talking Circle with Carl Big Heart and Breaking Down Ceremonial Grounds
39 Hang Glider Road
Ellenville, NY 12428

Lodge Preparation Opportunity – Friday, June 21

The lodge starts the moment we commit to going to the ceremony and can have active effects in our lives.  Setting aside time each day for a few days prior to the lodge to focus our prayers and intentions is suggested.

As a community we come together, starting with preparing and covering the lodge on Friday. This is part of our three day ceremony:  Friday lodge preparation, Saturday sweat lodge and feast and Sunday talking circle with Carl Big Heart. As in all ceremony, we have a beginning, a middle and an end. This is represented in the three days that we come together. Leave Sunday feeing uplifted inspired and grounded  as we stand firmly in the directions for future generations.

We will meet at 10AM at the Ellenville location to prepare the lodge, the cottage and the grounds for Ceremony. If you want to know more about our ceremonies and are interested in experiencing first-hand what is involved, this is another great opportunity to meet other members of the community, to ask questions and learn more about what it takes to create ceremony. Come for all or part of the day. It’s good to be prepared for all kinds of weather. While it can be warm during the day, having a light jacket or sweatshirt on hand, as well as a rain poncho in case of showers, is a good idea. We also recommend that you pack a lunch and water to drink. Please contact Justin,  here, or by phone at 845-475-7371

Saturday’s Sweat Lodge Schedule -June 22

What to bring for Saturday:

• IMPORTANT UPDATE: As the weather can be unpredictable at this time of year in Ellenville, be sure to bring weather-appropriate clothing, as well as an extra towel or blanket to wrap up in after the lodge, as it can get cool after sundown. Additionally, as it may be dark when we come out of the lodge on Saturday, you may want to consider bringing a flashlight or headlamp.
• 2 gallons of drinking water – one for yourself and one to share with the community.
• 2 towels
• Separate storage bag(s) for wet clothing and towels
• Sweat lodge clothing:
  • Women: skirt or sarong and short sleeve top (shoulders covered)  or modest dress.
  • Men: shorts (and shirt if you like)
  • Please note that changing room is limited in the cottage.
• Flowers or some natural decoration for the Registration Table (makes everyone feel more welcome!)
• Food for the pot luck (One or two main dish or dessert items).  If you would like to make an extra main dish for the Fire Keepers, that would be especially appreciated.  Please label them as such so they may be organized appropriately. If you have special dietary needs, please consider bringing a dish that meets your needs and label it as such (gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.)   
• Plates, utensils, napkins and cups / mugs for yourself.

To be aware of:

Please do not wear perfumes or fragrances when attending the lodge or gathering, as there are those in the community with sensitivities. Your cooperation will make for a healthier and happier experience for everyone.

9:00 AM:
Build and light fire, and cover the lodge. There will be an orientation for those who are new to the sweat lodge ceremony and an opportunity to make prayer ties to focus our prayers and intentions.

Between 1:00-2:00 PM:
Crawl into the sweat lodge

Evening Pot Luck:
After the Lodge, please gather around the Sacred Fire for the offering of the Spirit Plate.. The pot luck which follows is a part of the ceremony and one we provide for together. So please bring nourishing prepared dishes that are ready to serve: main dishes, salads, fruits, etc.  You may consider bringing a special dish specifically for the fire keepers, especially main dishes. Food can be dropped off for the day in the farm cottage.

As we have community members who may have sensitivities to certain food items or special dietary needs, if you are bringing dishes or food items that are gluten free, non-dairy, vegan or vegetarian friendly, please label them as such so they may be organized appropriately. Also, if you have special dietary restrictions or needs, please consider bringing a dish to share that is appropriate for you.

Please bring your own plates, utensils , napkins and serving utensils, as none will be provided. While there is no kitchen on the premises for heating or refrigerating food, there is electricity to run slow cookers / crock pots. 

Sunday Schedule, June 23

Weather permitting, we will meet at 9AM to remove blankets from the lodge and spread them out to dry before the Talking Circle begins at 9:30AM.Based on your calendar needs for the day, feel free to leave when is comfortable. After the talking circle we, as a community, close down the space and do final clean-up. If you can stay, we’d love to have your help. We strive to be complete and head home by 3pm. 
Upon arrival you will notice colors and greetings assuring you that you are in the correct place. There will be instructions at the site for how to best park.

Public Transit:
If you are traveling from NYC. There are buses traveling to Ellenville three times a day:
http://www.coachusa.com/

The bus drops off at Gaby’s Cafe
150 Canal St. 
Ellenville, NY.
845-647-7840

If you are taking the bus, or willing to pick people up from the bus drop-off location and shuttle them to the lodge site – please email getmetothegathering@big-heart-circle.org so that we can coordinate with you. 

Registration for the weekend:

There will be donation baskets for Carl and for general expenses for the ceremony (fire wood and basic supplies). We do have some fixed costs around gathering on this land, so we are asking everyone to help offset these expenses through a land-use fee of $15.

Please, let us together support the important and valuable work of our elders by being as generous as we can. That being said, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Lodging:
There are not too many spaces for indoor lodging on this site – a few spaces for folks to sleep on the floor in the cottage. You may tent on site if you would like, although please be prepared for our changeable weather.. If you don’t want to camp, but want to stay in the area for the night, it is recommended that you secure a room or bed at one of the  few motels and bed & breakfasts very close by.  Also, groups might consider renting an AirBnB together and sharing it. You can find Ellenville area AirBnBs here: https://www.airbnb.com/s/Ellenville–NY

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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