SOTEMS

Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society

Our full website is being rebuilt. In the meantime, this page has our sweat lodge information, dates and contacts.

The Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society [SOTEMS] is a nationwide community spiritual organisation and recognised denomination. It is dedicated to the cultivation of medicine ways, the practices and philosophy which focus on healing… healing ourselves, others, the community and our relationship with the environment.

Sweat Lodge Purification Ceremony

The Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society (SOTEMS) has a fundamental goal to create a pathway to express the unique spirituality of this continent and its people, drawing on the wisdom and healing traditions of many cultures as a starting point. The SOTEMS sweat lodge ceremony has been developed as part of the ongoing creation of a healing community distinctive to contemporary Australia. It is not part of the Lakota (North American Indian) traditions.

The sweat lodge is a sacred purification ceremony most often associated with Native American traditions. However, there are many such practices throughout the world… in South America and Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Siberia, Japan, Africa and Australia.

In all these cultures, the central action is the same: heated rocks are placed in an enclosed space. Water is then poured on the rocks to produce intense waves of heat. Sometimes herbs are burned or crushed in the lodge or added to the water to produce a soothing fragrance. Some ceremonies include specific healing procedures and rituals.

The lodge is often built out of pliable saplings, which are bent into a dome-like shape. The frame is covered with skins, tarpaulins or blankets, and then sealed around the bottom. Some sweat lodges are more permanent structures built of stone/mud.

The Symbolism of the Ceremony

The sweat lodge itself is rather like a womb within the Earth: dark, fecund, warm. We live again within Mother Earth. It is circular, and the participants sit in a circle. The circle is a powerful symbol, for in a circle everyone is equal.

The doorway of the lodge faces the East, the origin of new beginnings, the place where the sun begins his journey at sunrise each day. Two important markers map our journey in the sweatlodge:

  • The myth that forms the basis of the ceremony is the map of the journey, which we all take to the centre of our worlds.
  • The four directions and their virtues mark both the inner and outer worlds we live in.
  • East Sky father, purpose and direction, the sun, creative seed. Gwana the great wedge tail eagle.
  • North Courage, strength and endurance, the vitality of youth. Moving into and through difficulty. The Goanna.
  • West Earth mother, moon, healing, humility and compassion. Ungur the snake.
  • South Wisdom, guidance and intuition. Our special connection with Nature (totem), experience and knowledge, which comes with age. The Dingo.

Why participate in the ceremony?

The sweat lodge encompasses both beginnings and endings. Each time we take part in a ceremony, we take a journey to the centre of our being, joined with the others in the sweat lodge and yet also alone. It is about birth, death and rebirth. We change as a result of participating.

During the ceremony, much will be asked of you. It may be very hot, dark, oxygen starved and claustrophobic. But each of us needs to call upon our inner strength (not bravado) and move into and through the discomfort with quiet dignity. Indeed, dignity is a central value in the sweat lodge.

Great richness flows from maintaining this focus. We chant to help us concentrate on the journey and not the uncomfortable physical environment and our fears. Chanting also helps us to breathe easily and to compose ourselves.

Physiologically, the lodge helps to tune the autonomic nervous system, creating a new internal balance, smoothing out the peaks and lows of emotional and energetic changes. Psychologically, it fosters feelings of wellbeing, peace and self-worth. It is a powerful tool for growth and also for specific kinds of life difficulties, emotional turbulence and trauma.

There is an intrinsic value arising from participation in the sweat lodge. It is not a competitive experience; no contest exists to see who can ‘tough it out’ the longest. One measures the distance travelled and spiritual gains by personal standards. No criticism applies to those who leave before the ritual is finished.

Health considerations

The sweat lodge is not advised for pregnant women, people taking tranquillisers or antipsychotic drugs, or people with any of the following conditions:

  • cardiovascular problems
  • respiratory infections (colds/flu or any COVID-19 related symptoms)
  • kidney problems
  • diabetes
  • contagious skin disorders
  • hepatitis
  • claustrophobia
  • alcohol or drug addiction
  • exposure to an infectious disease or have been in a known region of an infectious outbreak

Please discuss any concerns you may have with the ceremonial leader before you participate.

Preparation on the day of the ceremony

  • Drink 2 to 3 litres of water. Stop at least 1 hour prior to the ceremony.
  • Eat lightly on the morning of the sweat and do not eat food for 6–8 hours prior.
  • Do not drink coffee or alcohol.
  • Alcohol or drug use (including marijuana) should be avoided in the days leading up to a sweat lodge.
  • Do not wear contact lenses or jewellery in the sweat.

Please note: If the weather prediction is for the temperature to exceed 35 degrees Celsius, the sweat lodge is normally cancelled. This is to ensure no one becomes overly dehydrated or overheated.

Please also read and familiarise yourself with the SOTEMS sweat lodge safety practices and protocols.

What to bring with you

Towel, sarong/loose shorts, bandana; water and/or isotonic drinks such as Gatorade, Powerade or coconut water to hydrate and replenish electrolytes after the ceremony.

Please leave valuables at home.

Cost per sweat lodge is $30.

If this is your first sweat with SOTEMS, you will also be asked to sign a waiver form, which will be provided on the day. This is to ensure you have understood your preparation requirements and also an opportunity to indicate any health concerns you might have.

After a sweat, drinking and eating are necessary to replenish the body’s electrolytes. Rest and a good night’s sleep are recommended.

Sweat Lodge Safety

Ensuring the Safety, Health and Wellbeing of Participants in Sweat Lodges

The health and welfare of sweat lodge participants has always been the highest priority for SOTEMS and as such, SOTEMS continues to adhere to the strictest levels of safety protocol for SOTEMS sweat lodges throughout Australia since the mid nineties.

SOTEMS also ensure that all facilitators are expertly trained over several years and have current, required and recognised first aid qualifications in order to assess and treat any health and safety issues that might occur.

New participants will be walked through the procedure and what is expected of them before the ceremony begins. Any concerns or health risks should be discussed with the facilitator during this orientation procedure. All new participants must fill in and sign the sweat lodge waiver. The waiver is used to ensure the participant understands what is required of them and also to note any health risks the participant might have.

First time participants will also sit next to the facilitator or other qualified SOTEMS members in order for them to be monitored throughout the ceremony.

Please feel free to discuss any concerns or questions you have with the facilitator before the ceremony.

Sweat Lodge Ceremonies run by SOTEMS have always been run under very strict health and safety protocols mentioned on this page, however if you wish to partake in a sweat lodge ceremony in Australia outside of SOTEMS, for your safety, please take note of the following points:

  • Sweat Lodges can be potentially dangerous if run by unqualified people and SOTEMS encourages all members of the public to ensure that, if they wish to participate in a sweat lodge, that they ensure the facilitator is properly and thoroughly trained and has the required first aid knowledge to treat potential health issues that might occur. Do not be afraid to ask questions regarding their experience and training. A qualified and experienced facilitator will not take objection to the questions.
  • Never feel pressure to stay in a sweat lodge any longer than you believe safe or stay in a sweat lodge where you believe your health or safety has been compromised. All participants in SOTEMS sweat lodge ceremonies are actively encouraged to speak up if they are feeling uncomfortable and are able to leave at any time if they feel overwhelmed. Never take part in a sweat lodge that discourages or does not allow participants to leave if they feel unsafe or overwhelmed.
  • Never take part in so called ‘extreme or endurance’ sweat lodges. The aim of a sweat lodge is not to make it as hot as possible in order to just barely survive or endure. This shows a lack of understanding on the facilitator’s behalf of the actual purpose of the ceremony. There is no room for bravado within a properly conducted sweat lodge. Similarly, sweat lodges should not be performed for hours on end.
  • Always ensure you are adequately hydrated before partaking in a sweat lodge ceremony. SOTEMS recommends drinking 2–3 litres of water on the day of the ceremony.
  • Be aware if you are feeling overly tired, drowsy or yawning constantly. This could be an indication of low levels of oxygen with improper ventilation within the sweat lodge. If this goes for any lengthened period of time, leave immediately. Low oxygen levels for an extended period of time can be very dangerous.
  • The door/flap of the sweat lodge should be opened at periodic intervals to allow excess heat out of the lodge and to allow fresh oxygen to circulate through the sweat. If the air supply is not refreshed periodically at regular intervals, leave immediately. Within SOTEMS facilitated sweat lodges, this is roughly every 15 to 20 minutes.

Sweatlodge Deaths

Unfortunately, a number of deaths have occurred by improperly and negligently run sweat lodges both in Australia and also overseas. The tragic events surrounding the death of Rowan Douglas Cooke as the result of dehydration, while doing a sweat lodge in the Adelaide Hills on 3rd November 2004, was not in any way connected or associated with the Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society, nor with any individual who is a member of SOTEMS.

Prue Blackmore, a SOTEMS member, gave evidence into the coroner’s inquest and provided expert advice into the safety measures required of running a properly conducted sweatlodge in order to avoid tragic incidents such as this from occurring.

Based on the standard practices of SOTEMS and the advice of the coroner that investigated the death of Rowan Cooke, the Department of Health has released a public health fact sheet regarding the health risks and recommendations of safety within sweat lodges.

A detailed copy of the coroner’s findings into the death of Rowan Douglas Cooke is available from the Coroners Court of South Australia (refer to Chapter 9 for Prue Blackmore’s evidence regarding properly conducted safety measures within a sweatlodge).

Sweat lodge dates 2026

Victoria

Brunswick East, Melbourne

To register for a sweatlodge in Melbourne on one of the below dates, please call (not text) John (0432 540 570) or Teena (0405 447 093) to discuss how to prepare and what to expect. Dates for the second half of 2026 are as follows:

Ancestral Remembrance and Sweat Lodge Ceremony

25 October 2026, 9am to 3pm. Ceres Community Village, Brunswick East, Melbourne

A time to honour our ancestors and remember those that have passed. This ceremony honours our ancestors and those that have passed through prayer, remembrance, silence, and offerings to the river of life.

We give thanks for our ancestors’ lives and wisdom as represented by offerings of nature placed in the Merri Creek, let go of burdens from the past as represented by the stone, and ask for guidance and peace. The river carries our intentions as we continue forward with gratitude and respect. From the Merri Creek which leads to Birrarung and to the ocean.

Booking essential. Please phone Teena to book in (0405 447 093).

Mixed Sweatlodge Victoria

In Victoria, mixed sweatlodges will be held every 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month on the following Sundays at 5:30pm for a 6pm start:

  • 05 July 2026
  • 19 July 2026
  • 02 August 2026
  • 16 August 2026
  • 06 September 2026
  • 20 September 2026
  • 04 October 2026
  • 18 October 2026
  • 01 November 2026
  • 15 November 2026
  • 06 December 2026
  • 20 December 2026

Women’s Sweatlodge Victoria

In Victoria, women’s sweatlodges will be held on the 1st Thursday of each month on the following dates at 6:30pm for a 7pm start:

  • 02 July 2026
  • 06 August 2026
  • 03 September 2026
  • 01 October 2026
  • 05 November 2026
  • 03 December 2026

Men’s Sweatlodge Victoria

In Victoria, men’s sweatlodges will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month on the following dates at 6:30pm for a 7pm start:

  • 08 July 2026
  • 12 August 2026
  • 09 September 2026
  • 14 October 2026
  • 11 November 2026
  • 09 December 2026

Seasonal Sweatlodges Victoria

SOTEMS Vic seasonal sweatlodges will be held on the Equinox and Solstice at 7pm:

  • Saturday 21 March 2026
  • Wednesday 23 September 2026
  • Tuesday 22 December 2026

Morning Sweatlodges Victoria

SOTEMS Vic morning sweatlodges will be held generally on the 4th Sunday of the month at 9am:

  • 26 July 2026
  • 23 August 2026
  • 27 September 2026
  • 25 October 2026 (Ancestral Remembrance, see above)
  • 22 November 2026

Western Australia

Parkwood, Perth. Sundays and Wednesdays

In WA, a mixed sweatlodge is run every Sunday at 6pm and the 1st & 2nd Wednesday of every month for men’s & women’s sweatlodge respectively.

Please contact Steve (0417 946 627), Eileen (0421 579 110) or Diane (0415 832 345).

See the SOTEMS WA Facebook Page for further details.

South Australia

Willunga, Adelaide. Ad hoc

In SA, sweatlodges are run on an ad hoc basis, so please contact Lez (0417 817 675) or Emma (0405 685 682) to determine when the next ceremony will be held.

See the SOTEMS SA Facebook Page for further details.

General Enquiries about SOTEMS

SOTEMS on Facebook

Acknowledgement of Country

The Spirit of the Earth Medicine Society acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.