I am fortunate to have recently purchased a new hide drum made with a tie-dyed deer hide. The wood frame is a round frame that was made on the Blackfeet Reservation. I have multiple frame drums in my collection, but I felt the calling to connect with a round one specifically to serve as an ally during ceremony. It feels important to me to have the circular nature of the Runes reflected in the shape of the drum itself.
After bringing the drum home, I wanted to honor the Spirit of the deer that is connected to the drum. I sat and played the drum, finding my way into a meditative state and connected with Deer. For me, Deer often appears as a feminine ally. She approaches me with a gentleness that says, “It’s okay for you to be gentle too.”
She runs through the forests and the fields with me. She tells me many things with her deep, dark eyes. She reminds me that there’s much power in remaining calm even during times of stress.
When the time feels right, I will begin to paint the drum with a variety of designs that reflect how I show up in ceremony. I look forward to continuing to honor and work with the Deer Spirit that is connected to my drum as well as the archetypal Deer Mother that exists on the Astral Plane.
What animal spirit have you connected with? Or what animal spirit do you feel most connected to?
Be on the lookout for an upcoming
drumming circle event in the area. I will be planning an afternoon for our community to gather to enjoy a free drumming circle and spend some time together. Currently, I feel as though I am in a planning limbo, but once plans can be scheduled again, we’ll gather in a special place to enjoy the sound of the drum, nature, and being in community.
Many blessings,
Laina
🦊
