The Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards: Spiritual Teachings of the Sioux

By Helene Sarkis and Archie Lame Deer

Book Overview

This book and beautifully illustrated deck draw on the ancient Lakota ritual of healing and purification known as the sacred Inipi, or sweat lodge ceremony, which has existed in the Lakota culture for thousands of years. The cards and accompanying book comprise a self-contained and highly original system that will help you harness creative energies to deal with issues that are of concern in your life. Used for self-discovery rather than divination, the cards gently guide you toward inner growth and self-knowledge in the time-honored tradition of the Lakota people. Fifty cards, illustrated in vibrant color, access the powerful symbols and teachings of the Inipi, capturing the spirit of this ancient ceremony. In a variety of spreads the authors show you how the cards can provide you with an expanded vision of your being and purpose, offering an intimate sense of walking in balance between the conscious world and the world of spirit. Publication coincides with the U.N. Year of Indigenous People. Archie Fire Lame Deer is one of the leaders of the Native American spirituality movement.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 089281456X
• ISBN13: 9780892814565
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Destiny Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Divination in many forms. Creator knows his path.

As a follower of the Red Road, I rebuke the individuals claim that this is "Nativism (tarot with a feather on it)". As a matter of fact, if the individual owns the cards at all - there is hypocrisy abound. Tarot is comprised of a Major Arcana and a Minor Arcana, with over 70 cards and more than twice the interpretations - as the cards have meanings when forward, reversed (upside-down), and even sideways. The Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck - a deck I've been using for many years, consists of 50 cards that do NOT reverse (they only can be read in the forward position). Tarot focuses on fortune telling, a path of gypsies and witches and mystics. Chief Lame Deer is focusing on Healing, and irregardless of the methods he chooses to employ in doing so - whether it be by piercing at the Sundance, or crafting these cards - he still is doing Wakan Tanka's work ... These cards .... "speak" .... to me. I have never used the book as more than a nice fallback item in case their is no use for a reading and the message isn't clear. But the vibrance in the artwork, the messages it reveals, is beyond words. Simply holding the deck gives me a sense of the Chief's fullfilment in Creator's Gifts. I respect what The authors, illustrators, and publishers have allowed me to share with others. This is THE BEST DECK I OWN. I own many and, quite simply, the energy from most "Tarot" type decks do not work with my own - they even seem to counter it. This energy ... flows. As with Black Elk; "I cured with the power that came through me. "Of course, it was not I who cured, it was the power from the Outer World, the visions and the ceremonies had only made me like a hole through which the power could come to the two-leggeds. "If I thought that I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no power could come through. "Then everything I could do would be foolish." These cards help to create that hole from which the power flows. Mitakuye Oyasin, Aho.

Awakening

I found this deck in a 80% off bin in a bookstore. How could I go wrong, as an avid tarot and card collector. I had never heard of the deck, but once i got home and opened it, i was in for a real awakening. I had absolutely no idea how intuitive these cards would be. They are a great tool for self reflection and growth, and come with an informative book, and beautifully illustrated. A great tool for anyone interested in spirituality, or self discovery. I am fortunate to have gotten them for such a deal, but with what I have learned from using them, I would consider then a great buy at full price.

Great connection to 'maka ina' with lakota spiritual roots

A good way to focus yourself and reconnect with the earth, nature and self. Anyone who has read 'Gift of Power' by Lame Deer will really appreciate this beautiful set. Not tarot or divine cards but cards of self discovery and insight. Also gives Lakota spiritual terms and ideas to a broad audience.I have been to and know several people on Pine Ridge and Standing Rock...I think these cards are an excellent way for people to discover themselves and maybe even connect and live the 'Lakol Wicohan'

Puts you back in contact with Mother Nature.

It has help me come connected with the earth and look at the winds,rains,sun,day and night. To call apon the the animal spirits that each and eveyone has but can not be connected for we have lost the RIGHTS to communicate with them. FOR WE ARE ALL RELATED.