Next Medicine Drum Retreat: 21st – 23rd February 2025
“We are incubated in rhythm, held in the concert hall of our mother’s womb. The drum is like us- a skin stretched over a shell. Through drumming we connect with the elements of nature, invite creativity, sacredness, and meaning into our lives. This is the lineage of rhythm. And, before entertainment and performance, the drum had a primary function for healing, community, ceremony, and prayer.”
– Christine Stevens
The making of a medicine drum is a ceremony, the drum a sacred instrument, whose beat can help you to reconnect to the heartbeat of the Earth, the rhythms of nature, and to your own natural rhythm and song in your body and bones.
In shamanic, earth-based cultures, the medicine drum is sometimes referred to as the shaman’s “horse”, that they “ride” the beat of, to the other realms… to receive insight, wisdom, healing and guidance.
The birthing of a medicine drum connects us to the cycle of birth-death-rebirth.
As you bring the skin and wood back to life, to birth a sacred instrument that has its own life and spirit, you are invited to reflect on your own potential for transformation and rebirth.
This is an opportunity to explore what has died and what is being called to be reborn within and through you at this time. In this way the journey and process of birthing your drum can help to midwife and guide you in your own rebirthing process.
The medicine drum becomes your companion on this journey.
Your Drum Frame
The frames are all lovingly handmade by Jayatii from Divine Heart Frame Drums. They’re crafted from solid timber consisting of 18 segments glued together then sanded numerous ways and coated with a linseed oil and beeswax blend. The timber is Paulownia timber which is a very light weight but strong sustainable and renewable plantation timber.
Your Drum Beater
During the workshop you’ll also make a drum beater, and this requires a stick. Spend some time between now and the workshop finding your drum beater stick. This needs to be dry, not green, and is best if it’s straight, around 30-40cm long and any thickness ranging from your pinky to your thumb…though beater shapes and sizes vary, so keep an eye out for something that calls you and feels good in your hand.
Bring along a couple and you can choose the best one on the day. It might also be possible to find your drum beater stick onsite, but it’s preferable to already have it if possible.
What’s Included
All materials and tools for making your drum are provided- kangaroo or goat hide and 16″ handcrafted drum frame.
Felt and felting tools for making your beater.
Follow-up email with instructions for caring for your drum, additional information around drum uses and practices and links to further resources and material to help support you develop your relationship with your drum.
Accommodation, and healthy, delicious food (Bring a plate of food to share for our communal gathering meal on Friday evening, then all other meals and snacks, teas etc for the weekend are provided)
What you need to bring…
– stick for your drum beater
– a journal and pen
– water bottle
– kitchen scissors/shears (if you have them- for cutting the hide)
– an old pillow slip (or something to take your newly birthed drum home in)
– an old towel (for laying out the soaked hide and making your drum on)
– something as an offering (e.g. a crystal or talisman) to add to the altar/temenos…(that you take home again)
– towel & toiletries
Please feel free to also bring along any other instruments. Saturday night we can sit by the fire and share and play songs 🙂
Booking & Payments
Exchange is $670. I ask for a $150 deposit upfront to secure your space, with the remainder paid by the retreat (or you can make the full payment upfront).
Please get in touch to book and I’ll share details/options for making payments.
I’m really looking forward to guiding and sharing this process with you.
If you have any questions, feel free to call, message or email.
Wildest blessings,
Belinda
0421 244 254
belinda@pathofheart.com.au
Next Medicine Drum Retreat dates: 6pm Fri 21st – 4pm Sun 23rd February 2025
