Native American Purification Ceremonies
Sweat Lodge / Temazcal
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​A Native American Sweat Lodge - also known as Temazcal, originating from the Nahuatl word for "house of heat" or "sweat lodge" - is a dome-shaped structure used for purification ceremonies that involve heating rocks to create steam. Sweat lodges are traditional sacred spaces for spiritual healing, cleansing the body, mind, and spirit, and connecting with Nature.
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The ceremonies, led by the Ceremonial Leader or Shaman, include preparation, prayer, chants, drumming, and purification. Participants sit in the darkened lodge, and water is poured over the heated stones. Natural healing herbs enhance the steam's cleansing effect.
This holistic practice detoxifies the body, purifies the soul, and restores balance. The combination
of physical heat and spiritual rituals provides profound relaxation and mental clarity.
We form a balanced relationship with our Earth, our Self, and the Community of Life around us.​​​
Our Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremonies are led by​ Walking Eagle (Hün-Na-îtch) (Jack Thom, Sr.): a beloved Káruk Elder who has led Native American Ceremonies in Siskiyou County, California, for over forty years.​​​
We offer monthly Public Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremonies (Temazcal) that are open for the community, and everybody is welcome to participate.
We also offer private Ceremories for groups upon booking and reservation through this website.
Walking Eagle (Jack Thom, Sr.) - June 2025
Walking Eagle
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Our Ceremonial Leader,
Walking Eagle (Hün-Na-îtch) (Jack Thom, Sr.) is a beloved Káruk Elder who has led Native American Indigenous and Spiritual Ceremonies in Siskiyou County, Northern California, for over forty years.
He is a devoted advocate of healthy and sober living. He teaches by example and constantly reminds us that the answers to our questions are found in our prayers.
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Walking Eagle has appeared on multiple TV shows and documentaries. He participated in 4 episodes of Ancient Aliens, from the History Channel (one of them is from season 17, ep. 4, The Mystery of Mount Shasta). He's also been on Discovery Channel and Travel Channel, among others.
He supports the spiritual growth and healing of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds worldwide.​​
All peoples and tribes are welcome to participate in our activities!
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Walking Eagle is the nephew of Charlie "Red Hawk" Thom (1928-2013), a legendary Káruk Medicine Man born in Quartz Valley, California, who became a notorious ceremonial leader, a knowledgeable culture bearer, and a protector of the environment and sacred sites.
Next Public Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremony
(Temazcal)
Saturday, October 18, 1 PM.
The Ceremony lasts around 60 minutes.
To help everyone acclimate and get ready, we recommend that participants arrive one hour before the start time.
Please refrain from wearing any perfume or cologne.
What should you bring?
Bring a towel and wear comfortable clothes.
Make sure you don't have any metallic details on your clothes due to the heat inside the lodge.
Before entering the sweat lodge, you must remove your shoes, glasses, and metal objects (i.e., necklaces, bracelets, rings).
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Out of respect for natural law, we always make a tobacco offering to the Fire before taking anything for our needs.
We always leave our ceremonial areas clean.
We ask that you refrain from any activities that disturb or damage the natural habitat.
Spirit of the Wind Sweat Lodge (Temazcal) 2025
Water and Hydration
Please bring a water bottle to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water before and after the ceremony.
Water is not permitted inside the lodge.
We also encourage the participants to be well-hydrated on the days preceding the ceremony.
​Drugs or Alcohol
Individuals who have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
within 24 hours preceding the ceremony, are not allowed to enter the Ceremonial area
of the Sweat Lodge and will be asked to leave.
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We will not tolerate any drug use before or at our ceremony,
and that includes recreational drugs (i.e., marijuana),
psychotropic drugs (i.e., cocaine), or psychedelic drugs (like ayahuasca, for example).
Walking Eagle & Gentle Springs - 06/2025
Location:
Our Ceremonies take place in Weed,
Siskiyou County, CA, 96094
(Please contact us via email or text message for the detailed location and how to get there.)
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​​​Dress Code for Men:
Men should wear shorts.
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Dress Code for Women:
The dress code for women is covered shoulders and preferably a long skirt.
(A good old t-shirt and maxi skirt work great.)
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​Women on their “Moon Time”
Women during their “Moon Time” (having their monthly period) will not be permitted to attend the Sweat Lodge, as this is a sacred time when the body is already naturally purifying.
A designated space is available for prayer and song during the Ceremony.​
Public Sweat Lodge (Temazcal)
Offering/Donation
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The Public Ceremonies are open to the community and free of cost, although cash donations are appreciated and needed to cover our ceremony-related expenses, which are:
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• firewood burned to heat the rocks used at the ceremony (we pay for the firewood at every ceremony),
• tobacco offered to the fire by every participant at the ceremony,
• sage and other sacred herbs,
• fuel for the chainsaws,
• fuel for Walking Eagle and Gentle Spring's commute (they have to travel to get to the location),
• monthly insurance payments,
to mention a few.
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No minimum amount is required.
Each participant decides the amount they feel like contributing.
Donations are accepted in person, at the ceremony, or virtually, via our PayPal Tip Jar (Spirit of the Wind is a confirmed Charity on PayPal) or Venmo.
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Come and drum with us into the Creator's heart melody!
Walking Eagle Drumming - June 2025
Pictures:
Pictures are not allowed during the ceremony, especially after the lit fire.
Pictures are not allowed inside the sweat lodge.
Group Pictures are allowed and welcome before or after the ceremony.​​
We have friends from all over the world coming to our Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremonies!
Group from Taiwan - July 5, 2025.
Group "Escuelita Luz de Luz" form Spain - June 23, 2025.​​​
Private Ceremonies
PRIVATE CEREMONIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS
AND BOOKED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH THIS WEBSITE
Minimum: 10 people.
$50.00 (amount in US dollars) donation per person.
Plus, $100.00 donation for the firewood burned during the Ceremony.
We accept PayPal, Venmo, and Bank account deposits.
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Summer Schedule:
From June 1 through August 31: the Ceremony starts at 6 PM.
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Fall//Winter Schedule:
From September 1 through May 31: the Ceremony starts at 1 PM.
Please email or message us to inquire about or reserve your group's spot.
Remember to include your phone number and the number of people you'd like to bring.
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Email: contact@spiritofthewind.org
Phone/WhatsApp: +1 (310) 895-8149
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Thank you! Aho! 🪶
Disclaimer
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Spirit of the Wind Sweat Lodge
Release Form and Guest List:
A "Sweat Lodge Release Form" is a document that individuals must sign before participating in a sweat lodge ceremony. It serves as a waiver in which participants acknowledge the potential risks involved in the ceremony, such as high heat, confined space, and possible physical discomfort while releasing the organizers from any liability for injuries that may occur during the experience.
Participants are required to disclose any pre-existing health conditions that could be affected by the sweat lodge. These include but are not limited to, diabetes, seizures, heart disease, high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, and the use of certain medications.
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The ceremony typically lasts between 60 to 90 minutes.
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Gentle Springs (Barbara Humiston) will have the Release Forms for participants to sign at each sweat lodge ceremony.
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PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN THE FORM EVERY TIME THEY ATTEND THE SWEAT LODGE.
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This requirement applies even to participants who attend the sweat lodge monthly, as a person’s health condition can change within that time.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Email: contact@spiritofthewind.org
Thank you! Aho! 🪶
Daniel Pruett
(Cloud Eagle) Wintun Nomlaki
President/CEO, Spirit of the Wind.
January 1, 2025.