Clearing and Connecting Through Drumming
Preparing to drum

       Just prior to doing any type of sacred spiritual ceremony such as drumming, it is a well known practice by American Indians and spiritual healers in general, to use smudging as part of the clearing process. Smudging helps to clear the energy field of the person and helps clear the drum of any negativity also. Shamans consider it essential to disperse negative vibrations in the immediate area and from themselves. Smudging with sage is just as important as washing your hands before you eat. It is a spiritual cleansing of the energies rather than physical.

       Smudge sticks made of sage or White Mountain sage can be used alone or at times they are a mixture of sage and lavender or sweet grass. When the sage is burned it clears the negativity from the space and it purifies the atmosphere – allowing in positive energies. It is even used in many churches during mass or ceremony to this day. Clearly the use of these dried herbs has been around for ages. Smudge sage sticks can be purchased on line or at specialty new age shops. Generally any Reiki Master would be able to recommend where to obtain the items needed for smudging. A small pot, a feather and some sage and a match and you are ready to do the work. Remember to make smudging with sage a regular routine with all your ceremonial work. Some of the other smudging herbs that are sometimes used are Rosemary, which brings in positive energies, Frankincense which clears away sticky, negative energies, Lavender which brings in joy and cleansed the mind and spirit and most importantly and most widely used is White sage which cleanses, protects, purifies, and is the most clarifying of all the herbs.

      One very important tool you will need for any type of a drumming gathering. You may choose to borrow one if you know someone that has a drum or you may decide to make one or purchase one. Do what very works the best for you at the time. If for any reason a drum is not available, a small rattle may be used. These come in all sizes, shapes and price ranges. Ideally however, it is best to have a drum. Your drum will be very personal to you, including the size, the shape, the feel and the materials. Larger drums have more variety of sound but the small drums, which are higher pitched, may be used also. You may wish to make your own drum, which is what is suggested. When making your own drum you are able to energetically connect with the energies of the animal that volunteered his life for the making of the drum.

       Each drum has its own authentic nature and sound. We create beautiful drums with honor and respect for the animal and for the drum   made from it. Finding or making your drum is part of your own journey. Let it be a special one. There are some basic fundamentals about the care of your drum that you will need to be aware of. It is of the upmost importance to respect an honor all drums. Weather you own the drum or are borrowing it, it is a must to treat it gently. The skin is very sensitive heat and coolness. When not in use you want to store your drum in a padded wrap or a blanket and put it in a place where it will be out of the way. Others holding or touching your drum is really not advisable. The drum in itself is very sensitive to all energies. There are certain times you will want to be especially aware of your drum. These times are just before drumming, during any breaks and just after drumming. During these special times you will especially want to make sure your drum is in a safe place. Safe places are in your hands, sitting on a table with a cloth under it, or laying on your lap. If you are outside drumming and you need to put your drum down for any reason at all, it should lie right next to you and on some kind of blanket or soft protective cloth. Avoid as much as possible extreme heat for long periods of time and cool temperatures for long periods of time. If you are outside and you realize it starts to become cooler towards evening, simply wrap up your drum and put it in your car or another safe space. Avoid leaving your drum in a damp place. The wood may warp and the skin may rot because it is not cured leather. Drums may be damaged if they are left out with the earth elements of the sun, water and soil. You can learn more about how to care for your drum by an experienced drum maker if there is one available in your area or you could even look on line for more information. In the back of this book you will find some helpful information and recommendations of reputable drum makers and stores.

       Your drum is part of your medicine and your power. Be selective about where it is and who uses it. You will want to invite your power animals and guides in whenever you use it. Before using your drum for the first time you will want to invite blessings into your drum. Call into your drum all the goodness and holiness needed for its future work. This will help awaken your drum for use during sacred ceremony. Connect with your drum when you are alone prior to using it in public the first time.

 Sacred Ceremonial Drumming

 Ceremony Connects  you to Your True Beauty and Power

      One very important part of drumming is the clearing and connecting with the higher self that takes place .With the eyes shut one maintains a steady rhythmic beat with the drum. This beat begins to resonate with the rhythmic flow of our hearts own intrinsic beat – thereby creating an energetic connection with the higher self.

       This higher self can only be found when we go inside. When we shut our eyes and drum we go into a bigger more beautiful world. We meet with Wakan Tanka, who now can be expressed. Wakan Tanka, our own true identity, our divine self, our God essence within, the creator, all are different words for the same perfect being that we all truly are. Wakan Tanka is the power within everything and we open up to this power through ceremonial drumming and intent. As we connect with our higher selves there is a natural feeling of harmony with nature and mother earth. Through the drumming we rediscover our oneness with our environment and with spirit.

     Honta Yo means “clearing the way.” The very beat of the drum vibrates every strand of our being, flesh and soul. The sound of the drum energetically creates a resonation with our higher spiritual self. The energies around you and within you begin to resonate with the rhythm of your own song. As this occurs, minds streams penetrated and released from the out shell; the aura. Self limiting patterns and beliefs such as fear, anger, depression, guilt, sadness and many other types of low vibrational emotions are released and relinquished. Endorphins which are natural human opiates are released into the blood stream, the river of life. Endorphins give us an enlightening, ecstatic almost trance like feeling. One may experience a variety of different feelings during the release phase of drumming healing work. There is no right or wrong and there is no judgment. All feelings are accepted and ok. As we free ourselves from the layers of toxic emotions, which do not serve us, we open the door to spirit and new vibrant healing, healthy energies.  As we free ourselves from low vibrational energies, we are able to fully connect with and express our true divine nature, which we really are, that of pure spirit and love. Feelings of conscious numbness, yet joy and openness are experienced with sacred drumming. Drumming clears the way. Hanta (clear away) all that is in the way of Great Spirit, so that inspiration, creativity and truth may prevail and be expressed. Hanta Yo so that deep healing energies may now surround and penetrate you on a soul level.

       The drum pushes energy waves into the skin, through the ears, and into all layers of the auric field and through the physical skin. This vibration has the ability to break through the veil and penetrate through the wall of limitation. Our own self limiting thoughts and fears are the very substance these walls. When we free ourselves, we become more balanced as humans and we begin to live a life of true peace and harmony because we are living in and with our own Divinity, which is the very energy that brought each and every one of us here in the first place. The extraordinary experience of drumming is very releasing and self empowering on all levels, body, mind, emotions and spirit.