Shamanic Drum Birthing Retreat
Create your own shamanic drum & beater in the sea-tree environment of Argyll, Scotland - just 25 miles west of Glasgow
2024 dates:
April 19th-21st, May 17th-19th, June 7th-9th,
July 12th-14th, August 9th-11th, September 13th-15th, October 4th-6th
Bespoke dates by arrangement
Min 4 people if residential, 2 people non-residential
Mid-week options available
This 3 day/2 night, small group experience on the stunning Argyll coast, is for spiritually aware souls who want to enjoy the deeply transformative and restorative feeling of playing and journeying with your own, personally hand-crafted shamanic (frame) drum, imprinted with your own energy.
Spirit of the Drum
Drums have been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples as an instrument for making music, for celebration and dance and for shamanic journeying, vision seeking and ritual.
Having a deep relationship with your own personal drum is transformational. As you use it and work with it you become the drum, the beat resonates with your heartbeat, you become one with your drum and are easily transported to non-ordinary reality from where you can journey to meet with your guides and receive healing and guidance.
The drum is Great Spirit’s favourite instrument, that is why we were given a heartbeat ~ Mano, Navajo Elder
"I would highly recommend this workshop with Dawn. She was welcoming and held a gentle and loving space throughout the drum birthing process. Dawn guided me with compassion and allowed my creativity to show which was a surprising experience. She connected us to each part of our drum and beater creating a unique connection with them. This was a highly transformative experience for me which is really hard to put in words. Thank you Dawn for the delicious food as well, and allowing us into your beautiful home and garden! I love my drum! J Regina, March 2023"
What a fabulous weekend we had with Dawn. The magic of creating my own drum under Dawn’s caring eye. We also chatted and laughed all the way and it was a very restful and lovely experience. Thank you Dawn. Tom from Rhythm to a T, October 2022
Watch the birthing process!
Please note that the drums being played are not fully dry so not at their otpimum sound yet.
It takes 4-5 days for your drum skin to fully dry out :)
I attended Dawn's first Drum Birthing retreat in Oct 2019. What a wonderful, gentle and loving experience I had! Dawn's compassion and dedication to drawing in spirit while birthing our drums was extraordinary! She allowed us to connect to our drums on a spiritual level; helped us to draw out our drums individual characters. I love the drum I made with Dawn. Every time I pick it up I feel it's love for me too and the relationship we are creating together.
Thank you Dawn for holding such a wonderful space while we went through this process. For guiding us so beautifully and gently with your loving heart 💓. Thank you for welcoming us into your home and taking such tender care of us. It's an experience I will treasure. Clara Hill, Oct 2019
Check out what's included!
Your Drum
During this weekend retreat you will be birthing a 40cm/16inch (approx) frame drum covered with deer hide.
You will also make a needle-felted drum beater made of wool to accompany your drum.
In the summer months you will be mostly working outside – weather permitting! We will retreat to the bell tent/outbuilding if the weather (or midges) dictate. At other times of the year we will mostly be indoors - as the weather in Argyll dictates!
Community owned Shore Road apartment in Innellan, Argyll in twin (shared) rooms
1 en-suite room available to those who book first!
Towels included, please bring toiletries and hairdryer
Enjoy simple, home cooked food - most diets can be accomodated, please enquire before booking if you have complicated requirements or severe allergies
Easy access via road or train, or even plane!
The weekend
Starting after the evening meal on Friday and working through to around 9pm is your preparation time. Breakfast is self-service in your accomodation, giving you plenty of time for an early morning stroll on the beach.
Then from 9:30am-5:30pm approx on Saturday you will be birthing your drum. Saturday evening will be more relaxed.... though you will still be creating!
On Sunday morning you'll be finishing your beater before we awaken your drum through ceremony. You're drum and beater will be complete by late morning, giving you plenty of time to travel home, or you're welcome to stay for a light lunch before setting off.
What to Bring
Toiletries - towels are provided. Indoor footwear.
Waterproofs and layers including warm footwear.
Feathers etc that you want to decorate your drum beater with.
If you've found a beater stick, please bring it, otherwise I have a good selection of driftwood collected from the beach.
You'll add your creative flair by creating a felted drum beater head.
A notebook to capture your insights from the shamanic journeys - though I do provide a manual to capture these in :)
A towel/cloth to wrap your drum in as it will still be damp when you leave, OR why not add a proper drum-bag? I keep a small stock but it's best to let me know in good time if you would like to buy one - payment can be made at the time of the retreat.
The drum birthing experience
Shamanic journeying and ceremony forms a key part of the weekend as we journey to make deep connections with all aspects of your drum.
Ideally, you will be familiar with shamanic journeying but if not please get in touch so that I can teach you beforehand.
There will be some free time allowing you to relax or explore the beach and woodland - weather permitting!
Creating anything, but especially a drum, can bring up some of your 'stuff', e.g. 'I'm not good enough', 'I'm not creative' etc. Don't let this put you off! I am here to guide, support and assist you so that you go home with a drum that you're proud of.
As we create the drums from deer skin they won't be fully dry by the time you head for home, which means that you won't know what it will sound like. Your intention and presence in selecting the part of the deer skin that you are drawn to, and the way you work with the drum frame and handle all affect the sound. Trust that you will create a drum with the perfect sound for you and all will be well.
I can highly recommend this workshop 😊 I’m loving my new handbirthed drum. Dawns guidance through the process and kind, supportive energy kept me inspired. Staying in her beautiful home was a bonus.
Sophie Marsh, September 2020
Engaging, welcoming, warming experience held by Dawn. The whole experience from the moment I walked through the door took me on a journey I will always remember. Thank you so much Dawn for helping me to birth my first drum.
Cheryl Brind, October 2019
Spaces are limited to 6 to ensure that you create the perfect drum for you :)
A deposit of £100 secures your place - book early!
(n.b. deposits are non-refundable (unless I have to cancel) but can be transferred to another date)
What are the retreat timings?
Where is the retreat being held and how do I get there?
I live nearby, is there a non-residential option?
Can I stay in my camper can on a non-residential basis?
What do I need to bring with me?
Remind Me - What's included in the Retreat?
Hi, I'm Dawn Petherick,
I support 'women on the edge' (and men too!).
You'll know if you're 'on the edge' because you'll likely be feeling stuck in life, or a bit lost. Not sure where you're heading but at the same time feeling an inner longing to change and for something more.
This was me twenty years ago and I've spent the time since then raising my self awareness, getting to know ME and what I value, connecting to my divine, higher self and my spiritual guides. I've invested £000's in my own personal and spiritual development and have been supporting women to do the same for the last 10 years.
It's an ongoing journey as we continually grow and develop and I still pinch myself that this now my full time 'work' - not that it feels like work!
I support you through retreats, my Soulfull Living Sanctuary monthly membership group, 1:1 therapeutic sessions and workshops/trainings.
I look forward to meeting you on retreat soon!