Our drum circle is an informal gathering of people who come together to drum, to make music, to be a part of a community.You can’t do it wrong! The sounds we make are often incredibly beautiful and are completely improvised by the group. Drumming is an ancient practice that has arisen independently all over the world.
Typically we drum with intention to heal: ourselves,other people, Mother Earth and connect more deeply with Spirit (however we may define it) . You are invited to bring your own drum of any tradition (native American, African, etc.), rattle, flute, didgeridoo, guitar or other instrument. If you don’t have one to bring along , you may use one of ours.
Recent research into the effects of drumming have shown that drumming facilitates physical healing, boosts the immune system and produces a sense of well-being. It can release emotional trauma, induce deep relaxation, lower your blood pressure, and reduce stress. By transmitting a rhythmic, vibrational energy through the body the two hemispheres of the brain synchronize connecting you to your own intuitive knowing flowing into conscious awareness of your own inner self. Drumming enables the integration of nonverbal information from lower (the more ancient and primitive) areas of the brain to bubble up into the frontal cortex, expanding your understanding of this miraculous universe which surrounds us all.
Along with our drum circle we will include a fire ceremony. The fire ceremony is traditionally done at the New or Full Moons and other natural divisions of the year like the equinoxes and solstices. In honor of the Inkan, Hopi, Mayan and Tibetan traditions, we gather our tribe together in ceremony to dream the new world into existence.
The fire itself has two purposes. A fire of purification where you just release—gift what does not serve you to your above and highest good to the fire, or, you can bring to the fire aspects of spirit or character that you would like to invite into, or more powerfully express in your life, and aspects that you would like to have healed.
In preparation, before coming into the fire circle, we will create an small offering bundle of cloth and tobacco. As you create your bundle you will blow (with your breath) your intention into the bundle. This serves to focus one’s attention into an active meditation.
We sing a Quechua fire song as we each in turn add our prayer ties to the fire. When everyone is done there may be a short teaching depending on the time. We then do a brief closing of sacred space.
Please join us as we make a joyful noise together!
Everyone may stay and socialize afterwards if they are so inclined.
Drum Circle & Fire Ceremony - 4 to 6 PM
There is a fee for this event to cover the cost of materials and a donation to the McKaig Park. Your donations will benefit student educational programs and park operations/maintenance.
$12 for members ($8 to cover costs of materials, $4 donation to McKaig) $16 ($8 costs, $8 donation)
The facilitators:
Wayne Silverman: I am a student of several shamanic traditions and have been initiated into Peruvian Shamanism, I am also a Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher and an Interfaith Minister. I perform Inkan Fire and Despacho Ceremonies and share teachings on yoga philosophy, personal transformation, Reiki, shamanism, spiritual healing and meditation.
Hello! My name is Sue Murphy and I am not a trained musician. My drum circle is an “intentional drum circle”, meaning our drumming has a purpose. I follow a native american shamanic path and believe that all roads followed with sincere and honest enquiry will lead us to God/Source/Creator. I have led drum circles with ease and grace at holistic centers and at my home for several years.