"IN THE EARLIEST REPRESENTATIONS OF RITUAL, WE SEE PRIESTESSES HOLDING THE FRAME DRUM AT THE CENTRE OF THE CEREMONY. WE NOW HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE BEAT OF THE PRIESTESSES FRAME DRUMS SPOKE TO THE SWEET HONEY BEE, AND THE ANCIENT RHYTHMS OF LIFE, DEATH AND RE-BIRTH."
Are you a beekeeper or lover of the honey bee? Do you wish you knew more about the spiritual connection between the priestesses in the temples the drum and the honey bee? This workshop will support you to craft your own bee drum, leading you through ceremony and the ancient history of the bee priestess to bring a sacred hex shaped drum into bee-ing.
In this three part, self paced ON-LINE/ Virtual workshop/class, participants will delve into the history of the drum used by the bee priestesses/ Melissae in ancient times, learning some of the ancient uses of drumming, and tapping into the lost art of being a Melissae/bee priestess.
Women will have the opportunity to create their own 12” Elk skin drum is a Hex shape reminiscent of the honeycomb, learning about the spiritual aspects of the Honey Bee and it’s medicine gifts to us.
During the process of making your medicine drums we will call on ceremonial element for consecration of your frame which is the bones of your drum, and the skin/hide of elk medicine, giving thanks for this gift, and letting the spirit of the elk know that it is becoming a sacred and spiritual tool.
All elements that go into the creation process of your drum are included in this course, from the drum itself to the making a beater/tom-tom for it, and ceremonially waking it up.
A private Facebook group will also be set up for participants to share images of their process and drums as well as to ask questions and trouble shoot with me.
This is a sacred ceremonial process, and your drum will be a sacred reflection of the divine feminine for those who work with or love the sacred honey bee. All supplies to make your drum will be shipped to you with the exception of a piece of wood to make your drum beater with.
Supplies include: ~ A small pouch of smudge for consecrating your drum. ~ A small pouch of pollen and cedar powder for consecrating your drum frame. ~ The choice of a 12” hex shaped drum frame made from Canadian Cedar wood, or a 12" round drum frame. ~ One elk skin hide large enough to fully cover your frame and wrap around the back one inch over the lip. ~ An awl for punching holes in your hide. ~ Lacings for the drum. ~ Cotton batting and a leather circle cut out, for making the beater/tom-tom with. ~ A small pouch with feathers, sinew and beads for decoration. ~ A length of bee ribbon and a small golden bee charm.
Here is an outline of each of the three classes which will all be delivered on-line and in video format.
Class 1: Once you have registered and gathered all of your supplies, you will receive an e-mail with a link to begin the first class. In this class you will learn about the history of women, the frame drum and ancient drumming practices. Support and resources for drum playing will be given as well for those interested in learning more and going deeper.
Women will also receive information on finding the perfect piece of wood to create their drum beaters, with information on the sacred aspects of 10 different trees.
Class 2: Instructions for soaking your hide and preparing yourself for the opening ceremony of your drums birth, are in in the first portion of the class. In the second portion Participants will gather together everything they need to stretch their drum. In this second part, the ceremony and instructions for making your drum will be given, along with a video of Nikiah making a drum so you can use it as a guide for making and tightening your own drum ensuring that it dries properly. Now you are ready for Class #3
Class 3: This class includes theceremony for “waking your drum up”, in which we will be using the ancient technique of Bhramari or bee breath. Instructions on caring for your drum will also be given along with inspirations and resources for painting and further decorating your drum.
Cost is $200 and includes everything you need to create a sacred Bee drum and the workshop.