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What?  Drumming day?  Is that some new national holiday?  No, but it should be!  Isn’t it time we honor the many traditions of this country?

While our Drumming day is one little event, and our first in a series, we think its worth sharing.  So what’s it all about?  It’s about taking time from our very busy schedule to feel the beating of your heart, listen to the sounds that resonate around and through you, and bringing in a new breath that will fill you and nourish the soul.  Drumming day is about drumming and singing, and bringing honor to our spiritual nature.

This event is offered Sunday November 30th at the Reiki Ranch near Chehalis, Washington from Noon-3pm.  It is an open donation event, and is open to anyone who is curious and ready for a quiet meditation and a rousing drumming session.  Have your own drum?  Bring it!  No drum of your own?  We will have the big ceremonial drum, big enough for many to join in.

For more information use the contact form at http://thehealingdrumretreat.hummingbirdshaman.com.

See you then!!

Reiki Ranch
1121 Bunker Creek Road
Adna, WA 98532

The Fall 2008 Healing Drum Retreat was a smashing success.  We made many drums, each with their challenges, but in the end they each resonated beautifully with their maker.  Drum making is an amazing event to watch.  The creator works through their challenges with the skin, stringing carefully yet firmly, not knowing how the drum will sound when it dries.  We were all amazed with one particular drum that had a booming resonating voice as rich as the big ceremonial drum. 

We decided to skip the December solstice and offer the next Healing Drum Retreat on March 20-22, 2008.  Friday evening will be dedicated to checking in for those distant travelers, and a drum making class for those who are ready for their own drum, or want to make one as a gift.  A gifted drum is a beautiful expression.  We will have supplies available for making drum beaters as well as other traditional items.

Saturday and Sunday will be filled with insightful and empowering workshops and activities for the mind, body and spirit.  We will, of course, have drumming and singing times during the event.  This next retreat is in honor of awakening, the spring cycle in the earth cycles.  We will talk of awareness, creating the future, and resolving the past.

The Healing Drum retreat is offered at Brighton Creek Conference Center in Yelm, Washington.  Brighton Creek has been a gracious host for this event, and several of the residents have attended parts of our retreat, especially the group drumming!  We look forward to this upcoming event.   This event is open to all, is non-denominational, and is affordable. Cabins sleep six, and the meals are great!

The entire event is only $160, and that includes lodging Friday and Saturday, and meals Saturday breakfast through lunch Sunday.   The drum making kit or moccasin making kit and class are extra.  You are welcome to attend the Friday evening event as an observer and share in our storytelling. Weather permitting we will have a campfire Saturday night, with our story circle.

The next Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, WA will be held September 19th-21st 2008.  Everyone enjoyed the last event for the Summer Solstice, this one will take place on the Fall Solstice to celebrate our transitions in life.

We will have a drum making and mocassin making class on Friday evening, and even if you don’t build you are welcome to observe.  The workshops and activities start Saturday morning following breakfast.  We will talk about herbs in the garden, the power of silence, and creativity.  We will experience energy healing and learn techniques for personal growth.

On Saturday we will build Dreamcatchers, and each participant is invited to make their own.  Sunday we will have the Dreamcatcher activity continue for those who choose.  We will also have workshops on muscle testing as a tool for health, a dream walking meditation, EFT as a tool for change, and more!

We now have a website dedicated to the Healing Drum.  Please do join us in our discussions, share pictures from past events, and of course take part in the next Healing Drum Event in September 2008.

The Healing Drum Solstice Retreat over the June 20-22 weekend was a roaring success!  We began the event Friday evening with drum making and medicine bag making classes.   We had several people making drums for themselves, but our teacher also brought extra supplies.  She had taken on the task of making 10 drums each for two different tribes, with proceeds going toward the retreat fund for kids.  

Many of us pitched in, and over the course of the evening the synergy of the group grew stronger.  We teamed up, and the drums came together quicky.  In all, we managed to build 17 drums that evening.  At midnight we called it an evening and retired, knowing that the bell would sound at 7:30 for breakfast. 

The next day we offered lectures and meditations on energy healing and being in flow with our spiritual guidance.  Most of the attendee’s were so busy with drum on Friday evening that we offered an additional class on Saturday.  The outcome: many beautiful medicine bags, all thoughtfully crafted and filled. 

Sunday continued with the same tone of spiritual awareness, and a class on using EFT as a tool in self-healing.  We concluded the day with a trip to the Trading Post, a fantastic shop for drum making supplies just minutes from the retreat center.  Field trip! 

The question was raised: when is the next Healing Drum retreat?  The weekend of September 19-21, 2008.  Since this weekend is a solstice weekend, we will focus on the harvest.   We now have a blog dedicated to The Healing Drum retreat’s.

Many have asked, “what is a medicine bag, and what purpose does it serve?”  Medicine bags have been used by Shamans for precisely what their name implies: medicine, which can mean herbs, gems, and plant materials with medicinal properties. 

A Medicine Bag can also be used symbolically as a blessing or energy protection for the wearer.  In this use we are expanding upon the contents, going “global” or international in our medicine bag contents.  

The idea behind the contents of a medicine bag is intent.   Are there areas of your life you want to support or enhance?  Perhaps you want more strength, or seek to feel more secure?  Then you might consider adding a gemstone such as obsidian for it’s protective qualities.  Stone in itself has a strength and longevity simply by being a stone, or a long-term object.  Plant materials do not possess the quality of longevity or time-honor since they break down and return to the earth much faster than stone. 

Adding a representation of the animal world can bring in qualities for our spiritual awareness.  For example a small trinket of an eagle can bring your focus to strengthening your connection with Great Spirit, or an image of a dog for loyalty. 

Adding a rememberance of a loved one can also bring the support of your historical or genetic line into your medicine bag’s power.  For example, I have a ring from my great grandmother that could serve as my rememberance and honor of my family.  A piece of clothing or button, a photo or object passed on to you by that person can also be used.  Remember, it is your intent and desire that amplifies the power of any object, and love is a tremendous power for any of us.

In creating your own medicine bag, or spirit intent bag, you can add any number of items to help you bring focus and awareness into your life.  The possibilities are endless!   

The next medicine bag making workshop I will be offering will be in Yelm, Washington on June 20, 2008.  Please visit ShamanStore for more information and to pre-register for this event!  Many items will be available for use in your medicine bag, and you can always bring your own personal items, as well.  We will provide information and ideas on how to make your medicine bag a powerful tool in your personal growth.

Estee Taschereau is a medical intuitive and clairvoyant counselor and consultant, offering sessions for personal and professional growth toward a healthier self. Sessions can be scheduled through the shopping cart or through the contact form.