Seek 

This is an opportunity to be a loving witness to yourself, and reflect on your own birth story (and how it has shaped you) whilst also birthing a kangaroo or deer hide frame drum. A drum birthed in this way is sacred, a healing instrument to use for yourself, and others if you choose. This is a process held in ceremony and connection, it has the potential to be deeply transformative, akin to a re-birth. As with all things in life, what you receive is a direct reflection of how you show up; e.g. fully present, with clear intentions and an open heart/mind is recommended.

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This method of drum making comes to me through the teachings of Jane Hardwicke Collings (creator of the School of Shamanic Womancraft) who has woven the wisdom from her teachers James Black Bear, Jeannine Parvati Baker and Cedar Barstow with her own  experience of being a midwife.

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The Shamanic Drum Making Journey involves:

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• Reflecting on your birth story

• Sitting in sacred Circle

• Sharing food as a community

• Learning about the drum, animal* and wood

• Choosing your animal hide* and frame

• Shamanic drum journey to meet the animal of the hide

• Cutting the hide into the pattern of the drum

• Allowing your hide to soak over night

• Movement and meditation to connect with the tree (of your frame)

• Collecting your hide from the water 

• Threading/weaving your hide onto your frame

• Closing circle – sharing and listening

• Taking your newly born drum home, to care for it until it is ready to be played (7 days from this day)

• Drumming together on the 7th day from wherever we are at an agreed time

• ongoing community and connection through our signal chat groups - you will always be a welcome member of our community of like minded souls

 

 * The hides are all sourced, killed and prepared ethically in South Australia. 

Deer is a larger more expensive hide and so we also use a slightly larger frame so there is an increase to the cost of the workshop.

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What does SHAMANIC mean?

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I am using this word in relation to the earth-based practice of connecting to ourselves through connection with nature and All-that-Is. To recognise that we are nature, that our inner cycles are the same as the greater cycles of mother earth, and the universe. To live in harmony with the natural world around us, understanding that everything is  'alive' and maintaining a dynamic and reciprocal relationship with this living world. 

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Disconnection is one of the biggest causes of depression, anxiety and addictions… and, I believe, many other issues we are currently facing as a modern society. Disconnection from ourselves, each other as family, and the more-than-human world. Connection is our birth rite, and was something that all of our ancestors valued, and lived as part of their daily lives.

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Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice with evidence of the first shamans from over 40,000 years ago.  So why has Shamanism been around for so long, and why is it still relevant for us today?

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“It is because shamanism is the path of direct revelation. It requires no dogma and no outside authority. Shamanic practice gives you the tools to enter the spirit world yourself and discover your own power.”  

(Sandra Ingerman)

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The Shamanic Drum Making Journey is an invitation to take time to connect more deeply to yourself, Mother Nature, and to birth your own medicine drum.

 

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Creating a drum in a shamanic way is to:

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• be fully present, observant of yourself and your processes

• fully connect to the medicine of the animal 

• appreciate the wood used to make the frame

• create with reverence; for the animal and plant, and also the chosen purpose and significance of the drum itself, and your own story/medicine

 

When we play our drum with presence we are connecting; to ourselves, others (human and more-than-human) and the heartbeat of the earth.

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Shamanic Drum Making in 2024

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I am facilitating these two day drum making (birthing) workshops in collaboration with Evonne Wildheart, collectively we are Red Thread Healing. We offer a very unique space holding, with Love and deep reverence to the sacred.

 

These workshops will be held on Dja Dja Wurrung country (Central Vic) approximately 1.5 hours’ drive outside of Melbourne.

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Upcoming Dates for 2024:​

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          Shamanic Drum Making - T.B.A

         

          Deeply Intentional Shamanic Medicine Drum, 

          crafted in ceremony & community

                    - Working with Deer or Kangaroo medicine 

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• 8:30 am – 5 pm Saturday (in some cases we begin later)

• 8:30 am - 5 pm Sunday 

• For men and women

• Limited places available (an intimate gathering)

• Includes a pre-gathering "Inner-View" (phone or zoom call) with us; this will help prepare you to go deeper into this process, and inform us of how to best be of service to you

• Ongoing community via signal group chat

• You will need to set aside a day prior to the gathering for personal inquiry (details to be shared once you have committed) 

• Held on a residential property on Dja Dja Wurrung country

• Stay with us for the entire weekend, camping on the land (or sleeping in your car or van) on  Saturday night.

• We will gather together, to connect, to craft deeply intentional shamanic medicine tools, to share ceremony, songs, and meals together as a mini community, on the land, for the whole weekend

• Exchange:  $650 - 700 (may be cheaper depending on type of animal hides, and if it is a shorter workshop e.g. we start later on the first day)

• Deposit:  $250 -  to confirm your commitment, and cover the cost of your materials etc.

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If you wish to be on the interested list for future opportunities please let me know by filling in my contact form.

 

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Create Your Own Event ...

 

Do you have a group of friends, colleagues, or perhaps a women's circle that feel called to share this Shamanic experience together? Or perhaps you are running a retreat (or have a retreat/workshop space) and would like to include a Shamanic Drum Birthing?

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I am open to travelling to you if you have a suitable location to host this type of event.

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Exchange for this will be discussed over the phone, there is a charge for my time, plus cost of materials for each participant. 

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If this sounds like something you might be interested please get in touch so that we can discuss possibilities and requirements.

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If you would like to be on my mailing list for future events please use my contact form to get in touch.

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                  I look forward to hearing from you like-minded souls! x

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