The fifth Healing Drum Retreat took place March 20-22nd 2009 at the Brighton Creek Conference Center near Seattle, WA. We had our native drum making class on Friday evening, lead by Kaye Tahwakeena. I can’t help it, every time we have an event I am inspired to make something new. This time it was an unusual drum.
This drum is nine sided, and since Kaye and I pooled resources we were able to secure a great deal on Buffalo hides. While preparing for the retreat I was inspired by the idea of painting the Mayan Tzolkin cycle within the inner frame. This was truly challenging, but a labor of love.
I proceeded to draw the individual glyphs on papers that I could arrange around the drum. How do I take 20 glyphs and divide them into 9 sections? I was not about to complete this task without consideration. I used to think my perfectionist self controlled my actions, but know I know it truly is my heart, the desire to bring honor into my offerings. Carefully laying out the glyphs I began to tell the story, the cycle that spirals again and again through the 20 glyphs of the Mayan Tzolkin Calendar.
My intent was to complete the painting and seal the paint prior to the drum making class. I found myself hesitating, spiritually reading the story over and over, and finding even more nuances embedded in each glyph.
I truly love and respect the insights and characteristics in each glyph, and understand their simplistic but complex contributions. Day after day passed, and the painting was yet to begin.
Finally the day of the drum making class was at hand. I had to decide whether to proceed or wait. The decision was postponed by my choice to take the hide and soak it, just in case. We had many drums to make, and my priority was to assist the students in the making of their own drums.
see part II of The Mayan Calendar and the Nine Sided Drum
This posting contains a clairvoyant interpretation of the Mayan Tzolkin Calendar, a spiritually focused calendar, presented by Estee Taschereau through her venue YinYangPower.com. Private sessions by phone can be scheduled for a gentle retrieval of the inner child left behind.
