The Spirit of the Drum and Making Your Drum with Lynn!?

 

In many Indigenous cultures and traditions, drum making and the use of drums are sacred events where the intent or sacred breath that you put into your creation and the energy work you are doing are key elements in the process. In Native American cultures, drums are used in many different situations: special rhythms played for healing purposes; to induce and sustain trance-like states or consciousness where the energy raised is directed towards a specific purpose like world peace; steady and/or uplifting beats suitable for ceremonial work such as in the various dances of the Pow Wow; prior to undertaking shamanic work, spiritual journeys and vision quests; to link members of different communities together at special festival times; in drum circles to celebrate the Full Moon and to promote healing/meditation; and to bring all into harmony and unity with the Earth Mother since the beat of the drum mimics Her heartbeat and our own.

 

 

Focussing your intent:

Drums are sacred. They are always treated with respect and honour. In Indigenous cultures they are neither seen nor treated as toys. Drums are not played in anger although drummers may play their drums in soothing and repetitive tempos to help release and heal anger in others. Consequently, it’s important PRIOR to making your drum that you work out what your intent is – WHY are you making your drum and therefore what energy do you wish to put into Her? During the actual drum making workshop you will be reminded from time to time to focus on ‘sacred breath’ – that is, to refocus on your intent and to consciously put that energy into your drum as you make Her.

 

Some participants may find that during the drum making process they have ‘flashbacks’ to previous lifetimes where they have made drums before, others may be given the name for their drum. Whatever occurs for you during the making of your drum is important to you and you alone, it is not about comparison, it is about honouring yourself, your drum and your truth so enjoy your journey – putting love, peace, laughter and joy into your drum are wonderful energy intents.

 

You may notice in the weeks and/or days leading up to actually making your drum that various issues within yourself that you have yet to resolve may come to the surface seeking to be healed. This is a fairly common thing so don’t be alarmed, rather treat yourself and these aspects of yourself with love and compassion and allow yourself the freedom to be honest about where you are at, including ‘voicing’ your issues and seeking help if you need to. This doesn’t mean that you are weak or lacking, rather that your inner wise self is seeking to come into harmony and balance prior to making your drum – and what a  beautiful gift that is!!

 

The Spirit of the Drum:

As it is considered to represent the heartbeat of the people and the Earth Mother, drums are typically found at the heart or centre of any Pow Wow where singers gather around drumming their support for the dancers through songs and rhythmic sound. As the Drum is seen as a manifestation of the Wheel of Life or Medicine Wheel they are often round in shape, though variations include the octagonal shapes favoured by some tribes. Nowadays, Native American elders are openly encouraging the sharing of the wisdom and spirit of the drum to non-Native American cultures because of the drum’s link to the heart. It is through our sacred heart, and hence our connection with the heart of the Divine that we are being encouraged to live from once more. By doing this we remember and know, in every fibre of our Being, that We Are All One, and that we are all facets - unique, beautiful and individual - of the Divine: that we are each and every one of us Divine. It is through ‘coming from our heart’ in every thing that we feel, think, be, do, say and enact that we bring ourselves and every other being around us back into unity and harmony, to inner peace and tranquillity.

 

The drum is an instrument of the Divine Heart. Its an expression of the voice of the Divine ~ remember: Universe = Uni Verse = One Voice.

 

Drums as tools for healing

~ did you know that medical research has shown that patients suffering from high stress levels have had dramatic reductions in their stress levels, as monitored in their brainwave patterns, when they listened to drums played in time to their heartbeats for 15 minutes [www.drumjourney.com/spirit.spirit.htm]. Many Indigenous cultures employed the drum as a form of preventative medicine to help maintain health and harmony in individuals and the community as a whole.

 

If you are an energy worker or healer, you will probably find yourself drawn to play your drum when you have finished working on yourself or with a client – a steady tempo played for at least 5 minutes is very therapeutic. Drumming with children is a wonderful way to calm and centre them whilst also relaxing yourself.

 

And if, like me, you like to celebrate the Full Moon, the major Fire festivals or Sabbats [the Equinoxes and the Solstices], and/or if you have a meditation or healing circle you will find that drumming as part of your celebrations helps to focus your energies and is a wonderful way to share and spread loving healing energies. Drumming helps to encourage fabulous meditative experiences as you are drawn into ‘another space’ by the sound and rhythm of the drum/s. The more drums the merrier and each drummer can have a turn at being the beat holder/carrier.

 

Energy Exchange:

15" Hoop [round] Deerskin drum is AUD$240

 

15" Octagonal [8 sided] Deerskin drum is AUD$260

 

~ when available, kangaroo skin drums are AUD$20 extra than either the 15" hoop or octagonal drums.

 

if you would like me to make one specially for you, please add AUD$20 to the cost of the above prices.

 

** if you are interested in attending a drummaking workshop or a drum painting workshop please contact Lynn ph 61 7 3382 7939 or by email, lynnasmith2002@hotmail.com for details.

 

*** and finally, my heartfelt thanks to: Spirit, Amouak [Greywolf, my Inupiat teacher], my gorgeous Harley Man: Baz for his support, Elaine, Helen Smith, Lyell Deer farm [for their beautiful deerskins & our drum frames], to our sisters and brothers the Deer, the Kangaroo and the Standing Ones who give so generously of themselves; and to the many wonderful Beings who have assisted me when making drums:

In Beauty We Walk.

 

© Lynn Smith, 2003