Drumming takes me to My Bliss and My Bliss is Drumming Magic.

When I attended my first Pheonix Phyre several years ago I received multiple blessings. One was the experience of the Drum. The second was a great friend. Kimberli White Otter.

I attended my first Phoenix Phyre on my own. I knew no one. I arrived on a Thursday evening and after setting myself up and wondering about and attending the protection/blessing of the land ceremony I was "called" by the drums. I went and I danced. When too tired to dance, the only place that felt right for me to be was in the West with the drums. The next evening I was tired and had resolved to not dance but to save myself for the next night. And then there were the drums. They called. There was no sleeping, I had to go. During the day I had purchased a lovely rattle made by Eric Dreaming Trout. Now when I was in the West with the Drums I had my rattle as my rhythm instrument. Needless to say on Saturday night when this mass of amazing drummers were drumming through the rain and Little John and I held a tarp over "Charlie" while this lovely creature of a man held the heart beat and more for us all I was lost in that bliss totally and felt the drums and their magic. I remember standing there totally extatic wanting to pinch myself, hardly believing what I was doing or where I was - but my hands were full! I was hooked, I simply had to be able to do this myself.

I went home after a really amazing time with some special friends and great memories and found a drumming teacher. I learned to drum, not bad for a beginner and was back at Autum Meet and was a drummer myself and definitely not the worst drummer in the circle :-).

So now, we get to the drumming magick. There are many times I dont take the time to drum for myself. But goodness, get me in a sacred circle or a not so sacred circle with folks that love to drum with me, and the magic happens. I am exhausted and renewed. I am filled with rhytym, community, connection, power and I am living my Bliss. It is something that truly is in the moment and takes me to the God/dess within. I feel it now with a sweet smile as I close my eyes and feel it and type about it. Words simply dont do it justice.

It was with the Phoenix Phamily that I discovered my drumming magick and it has become a significant part of my life. I even found my Mate while drumming peace. I am a well blessed woman.

So again, thanks for two very special things Phoenix Phamily. KWO and my Rhytym. I am blessed to have discovered them both with you.

Many Blessings -

Amber

I am an Anthropology professor at UNF. I am currently teaching a course called Sacred Journeys for the Honors Program. The students are all First Time in College Freshmen (i.e. 18) and are all in the Honor's program. I am setting up a number of experiential learning opportunities for them. I am hoping to have these include an opportunity to learn about Drumming either by visiting a drum circle or by having some drummers visit us in class.

Please feel free to contact me at rlukens@unf.edu or 904-620-1648

I am a drummer . . .

I do not worship my Drum, but it helps me to connect with something that is spiritual.

I connect with my Drum in my way, as many others connect with their Drums in their own way.

My Drum is something that is sacred to me, for it is more then an instrument, it is my alter.

I will not touch anyone else’s Drum without first asking their permission, for I respect the relationship that someone has with their Drum.

I will not assume that I shall be the loudest or the fastest Drummer in a circle.

I will listen before Drumming; I will merge my rhythms into what the group is playing.

I will not force the Circle onto a specific path, but let it grow to where Spirit takes it.

I am a Drummer and I will seek to constantly learn. I will connect with others, remain open and allow them to join with me.

. . . I am a drummer

By Rowan WhistleWalker, June 2004

I try to deny you,
afraid of what you offer.
Torn by my confusion
between reality and illusion.
Afraid of self-delusion;
Seeking a resolution,
I'm finding revelation
that I've known all along.

<chorus>

Drum circle consciousness is a group vision manifest in sound, an attitude of giving of yourself and integrating yourself into a group to create a song. You become a part of a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

When we come together and drum, the power of the rhythm moves us to a place where we all share the same space, time, and music together. We are focusing our attention to create a song. In that moment, we are not necessarily hitting the same note at the same time, but we are intimately sharing that rhythmical moment. Anyone can do this, even if you’ve never drummed before in your life! You don’t have to be a shaman or a professional musician to experience the magic of the drum circle. When you play with a group that wants to go to that place and create the magic of being in the same place at the same time, together you create that natural phenomenon called “entrainment.” You are in rhythmical alignment with each other.