04/01/2026
Spirit of the Drum -- A Two Day Drum-Making Workshop
of Sacred Ceremony, Journey Work and Shamanic Crafting
Location: HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary (https://heartspacehorse.com/)
3867 Northwest Way
Redmond OR 97756
Saturday, May 30, 9-5pm
Sunday, May 31, 9-5pm
Registration: $350
(drum materials sold separately, see below)
Join us to connect with the Ancestors and Dream your Spirit Drum into Being.
Boom-boom — the steady drumbeat of our mother’s heart, soothing and anchoring us in her womb is the first musical sound that our ears perceive, keeping us grounded on our journey to birth.
Our first musical instrument was the drum, discovered by beating a stick on a hollow log or some other hollow surface. The beat of the drum naturally compels our bodies to want to move, almost involuntarily - like breathing.
The shaman/spirit/medicine drum is used universally and is prevalent among many original peoples as a living and conscious tool to bridge into expanded reality. It is used widely among Siberian shamans, where the word shaman was conceived. Here in North America, the drum has always been a sacred instrument in their communication with Spirit. Even in Europe, history reaches far beyond the advent of Christianity that included drumming in sacred ceremony.
In this workshop, you will:
• Journey to meet the Spirit of the Tree that gifted you the wood for your drum frame that will become the drum’s body.
• Journey to meet the Spirit of the Four-legged who gifted the hide that will be the flesh of your drum.
• Learn a unique spiral lacing technique as taught in the Saghic tradition [a re-dreamed Celtic tradition].
• Engage in sacred ceremony to breathe life into your using the four elements.
• Create an intimate bond between you and your drum’s living nature.
• Learn to work with the drum as a conversational aid with your Guides and the Ancestors when you journey into the heart of your Spirit Drum.
• Learn to care for and "feed" your drum—this drum will be different than any other drum you will have and thus needs to be treated always in a sacred manner.
• Become aware of the Do’s and Don’ts of your drum.
• Bring a small empty spray bottle for water to keep drum skins moist, an old towel to use as your work surface, journal and pen, and a blind fold or mask if desired for use in journey work.
“The Spirit Drum is an external embodiment of our lives. It expresses our joy and sadness and is an implement of prayer. The drum is also the vessel that carries us on spiritual explorations and journeys. As such they tell the story of our relationship to the divine
and to those we call the Ancient Ones.” –
Native Elder
This is a 2-day Spirit Drum making workshop and needs to be pre-booked by the payment of material fees to Rob Murphy by 12noon 2 weeksbefore the workshop.
Prices for drum materials (contact Rob Murphy for selection and purchasing by email: [email protected]
13” skin drum w/cedar frame - $145
14” skin drum w/maple frame - $145
15” skin drum w/cedar frame - $160
15” skin drum w/maple frame - $160
16” skin drum w/maple frame - $160
17” skin drum w/cedar frame - $175
18” skin drum w/maple frame - $175
Deer, horse, elk, cow, buffalo and moose skins are available.
Cedar frames are much lighter in weight than the maples frames. If you do a lot of drumming for extended periods of time this lightweight frame will be perfect for you.
Deer – Represents the Heart, the Natural Laws of Circulation: healing and love
Elk –The element of Water, Emotions, and the Shadow Self
Horse – Represents the Shamanic Journey that we ride into an alternate reality seeking healing for ourselves and others
Cow – Represents Mother Earth, a symbol of motherhood, fertility, nurturing, survival and protection.
Buffalo (Bison) – Has to with seeking guidance and wisdom from the Ancestors. It is connected to serving the community and connection to Sacred Source
Moose – Represents the work of Divine Feminine energies. It carries us deep into our feelings towards emotional honesty
NOTE: Material fees must be paid separately to Rob Murphy by 12-noon, 2 weeks before the workshop. Please email [email protected] to make payment arrangements for materials.
HeartSpace Horse Sanctuary provides forever homes for a number of horses that have suffered from trauma, healing their Body, Mind, & Spirit through proper nutrition and holistic care. Interactions from the space of the heart provide healing and inspiration for all, whether horse or human.
