birthing my first shamanic drum

over the weekend, I took part in a retreat and creating a frame drum. using a deer skin and a frame made from Silky Oak.

after settling in to our dormitory style rooms, we sat and talked over a bowl of delicious vegetable soup and fresh bread. and then we began the process on Friday night of choosing a hide..

it was a very solemn moment, touching the hide of an animal that once lived.. humbling. The hide seemed to me to be alive in a different way.
The frame made of silky oak also had a vibration to it.. and as I sat there and bonded, I was in awe of what I was about to do.

after cutting out a circle from the skin ,we soaked it in a bucket of warm water, massaging it for awhile and then leaving it to soak overnight, to soften so that we could work with it.

The weather was bitterly cold overnight. lots of doonas and bed socks kept Jack Frost at bay.. early breakfast and then back to our retreat room to continue the process.

massaging the skin some more and then choosing our handle for the drum..

cutting it to size and sanding it down, gluing it into the drum, cutting out a piece of leather for the handle.. a process that took quite some time. I chose green.. I wanted mine to have a Celtic feel to it. Then we had to put the skin onto the frame with a method of sewing and weaving, pulling it tight over the frame.. my drum began to take shape.

after our skin had dried a little, we began to nail along the edge of the frame and then it was left to dry.
Saturday was intense, busy, full of powerful emotions and thoughts as we worked quietly, side by side. 5 women in unison, doing something we and our ancestors had done many times previously. it seemed so natural.
Saturday night, another delicious dinner and sitting chatting to women.. it was bliss and I felt so connected.. through the simple art of making a drum.. well, not so simple.. but yes.. simple.
Sunday was still a full day..
first thing after breakfast, we wrote an intention for our drum.. and shared in circle.. then we started to trim our drums.. and made the drum beater.
once they were finished, we had half an hour of standing in circle, drumming together.. these 4 women plus the teacher and myself.. creating a bond that may never be broken. it was an emotional weekend. but soul satisfying. so soul satisfying.

my blessing and intention for my drum

Silky Oak - Goddess

you stood so tall and majestic, full of strength, wisdom and resilience

I ask that you continue to stand strong with me, infusing me with your wisdom and strength, when I play this Sacred Instrument.

Sacred Stag

I see you among the firs, standing majestically, in complete one-ness with Gaia.

I ask that you infuse me with this majesty and One-ness with Gaia when I play this Sacred drum

Goddess & God of the Drum

May I become one with you, when I play this, my sacred drum.

created by the three of us.

the Holy Trinity of our Sacred Drum

Blessed Be.