“She is our future as she was our past. With her drum in hand, playing her sacramental rhythms, women can once again take their place in the world as technicians of the sacred. In the pulse of my drum, in the beat of my heart, I erect an alter to her forever.”
– Layne Redmond
Sister
Have you ever felt the call of the drum? That deep, ancient pull that tugs at your soul, whispering for you to return to the rhythm of the Earth, to reconnect with something primal and sacred?
If so, you are not alone. Women throughout history have heard that call, and it’s no coincidence that the drum—this simple, round container that vibrates with life—has been at the heart of women’s spirituality for thousands of years.
In her powerful book, “When the Drummers Were Women”, Layne Redmond uncovers the history of the frame drum, tracing it back to the goddesses and priestesses of ancient cultures. These women knew the sacred power of the drum, using its rhythmic beat to connect with the Earth, to facilitate childbirth, to plant seeds, and to journey into the shamanic realms.
The drum was a symbol of life, a portal to the divine, and a powerful tool for healing.
Today, the drum continues to carry that ancient wisdom, and when you birth your own medicine drum, something truly transformative happens.
Birthing a Drum: A Deep Journey Into Yourself
Making your own medicine drum isn’t just a creative project—it’s a deep, spiritual experience that mirrors the way you birth anything into the world.
As you weave the hide onto the frame, you are also weaving your own stories, your own grief, joy, pain, and healing into this sacred tool.
The process of crafting a drum invites you to uncover your birth imprint, the pattern of how you approach creative projects, relationships, and life itself. For many women, learning about this imprint brings deep insights into how they navigate the world.
One of my dear sisters, Jen, shared her experience after attending a recent drum-making workshop. She said:
“When I did the drumming workshop with star I was hesitant as I was coming to it from a place of trauma and grief. But what I walked into was a warm, welcoming and safe place where I left feeling grounded, supported and inspired. From the opening of the sister circle to the ritual of getting my hide out of the freezing and rejuvenating bath water; to the solice of weaving the hide into my drum to the nourishing food, all while being in my own space on my own journey yet with fellow sisters by my side when and if I needed them.
Since the workshop when I feel unhinged, a grief wave hitting or just generally feeling unconnected to life and the world I live in, I pull my drum down from off the shelf and go outside and just… drum. The sound and vibration of my drum that I birthed soothes me, grounds me and reminds me I am not alone.”
And this is the true medicine of the drum. It becomes more than just an object—it becomes a sacred ally that holds your energy and intention, reflecting the journey you took to bring it to life.
The Medicine of the Drum: Kangaroo, Deer, Willow, Ash, and Rosewood
Each drum holds its own unique medicine, not just through the birthing process of creation, but through the materials used.
The animal hide and the wood frame carry their own spirit and energy, becoming part of the sacred relationship you form with your drum. And please know that all animal hides are sourced from the most respectful and sacred sources that we can find.
- Kangaroo Medicine reminds us to leap forward with strength and trust, staying grounded while moving ahead without looking back. The kangaroo teaches us to navigate life’s challenges with stamina and courage.
- Deer Medicine brings gentleness and intuition. The deer, with its graceful presence, teaches us to move through life with sensitivity, connection, and awareness of our surroundings.
- Willow is the tree of dreaming, intuition, and deep emotions. It resonates with the energy of the moon, helping us release old emotions and express our truth.
- Ash is the world tree, representing strength, endurance, and the connection between the inner world of self and the outer world of the universe.
- Rosewood, with its deep red heartwood, symbolizes kindness and an open heart, helping us harmonize both spiritually and mentally, bringing the sweetness of life into our journey.
These elements are woven into the drum, creating a sacred tool that holds not just your energy, but the energy of the Earth, the animal, and the tree.
Healing Through the Drum
One of the most powerful aspects of the drum is its ability to heal.
As Layne Redmond describes in her book, the priestesses of ancient times used specific rhythms to induce healing, guide women through childbirth, and enter ecstatic trance states for spiritual journeys. And today, that same power can still be felt.
The drum’s rhythm aligns with the natural frequency of the Earth, helping to balance our nervous systems, soothe our emotions, and bring us back into harmony with ourselves and the world around us.
Like Jen, many women find that their drum becomes a tool for grounding and healing long after the workshop has ended. When the chaos of life pulls us away from ourselves, the drum calls us back. Its beat is the heartbeat of the Earth, reminding us that we are never alone, that we are always connected.
A Sacred Call
So, Sister, if you feel the call of the drum stirring within you, I encourage you to listen.
Birthing your own medicine drum is a journey like no other—a journey into yourself, your ancestors, and the wisdom of the Earth.
It’s a sacred process that will not only bring you a powerful tool for healing and connection but will deepen your understanding of yourself and the way you walk through the world.
If you’re ready to answer the call, I’d love to walk this journey with you.
Click here to find out how you can birth your own shamanic medicine drum
The drum is waiting, and so are you.
With love and deep drumbeats,
EveningStar NightWalker
