Shamanic Drumming circles are a way to continue to practice shamanism after the workshop is over.  The offer a chance to experience shamanism in a community, learn new things, gain healing, and receive the boost that happens when ever shamanic work is done together.

Musicians and people who like to drum often hold drumming circles to get together, play drums and enjoy themselves.  A shamanic drumming circle also involves drumming but with a shamanism focus.  Shamanic Drumming Circles will include drumming together as a group, but the emphasis is more on the energy that is generated as part of the drumming.  A shamanic drumming circle will also include an opportunity for Shamanic Journeying, Group or Individual Healing, and sharing Shamanic Techniques. Some are called shamanic circles rather than shamanic drumming circles.

The Focus of Shamanic Drumming Circles

The focus of a given drumming circle can vary.  If there are many experienced people, they may not be open to beginners.  (More because they don’t want a beginner to feel left behind by the group.)  Ones that are open to beginners may require that you have learned to journey, others will be willing to teach you during the circle.

The shamanic drumming group can include any or all of the following:

• Shamanic Drumming, where a leader drums for the group while they journey.
• Group drumming, where people drum together with the purpose of building energy and community. (Rattles and other instruments are often welcome.)
• Experimenting with different ways of journeying. Such as using different sounds, standing journeys, moving journeys, etc…
• Healing, either from the group to individuals in the group, to others outside the group who’ve asked for help, for local or world situations that need healing energy from the spirit world.
• Group journeys where the group journey’s to answer one member’s question, or a specific group question.
• Group discussion of shamanic topics.
• Demonstrations of shamanic skills by more experienced members.
• Sharing of new information such as new books or local events.
• Some may have a cultural focus, such as Peruvian shamanism.
• Working through psychological or spiritual growth issues together. (Usually as part of a committed long term group.  Sometimes these do not allow new members unless the group agrees its OK.)

Selecting The Right Group

© Marcovarro | Dreamstime.com – Shamanic Drums Photo

A good shamanic drumming circle will have a leader or leader(s) who support all members of the group and maintain good rules and boundaries.  Some rules are simple, about following a general time schedule or how the circle opens and closes.  Others may be about respect of one another and whether what is discussed can be talked about outside the group.  These types of boundaries are most important if the group is doing deep healing work with and for each other.

External Article on Effective Shamanic Drumming Circles, three pages.

Shamanic Circles has some articles on maintaining a drumming circle.

Finding a Drumming Circle in your Area

• The website Shamanic Circles lists drumming circles in the US and Internationally, and has many circles listed.
• Shaman Portal also has a list drumming circles and ceremonies.
• Many shamanic practitioners or teachers offer drumming circles, you can check their website.  Shaman Links has a directory with lists of healers and teachers by state.
• Some drumming circles list their events on a Meetup.com group.
• The healing technique called transfiguration is offered through shamanic circles as well, often called Medicine for the Earth or Healing with Spiritual Light Circles.
• Drumming Circles focused on Core Shamanism.

Do I need a Drum?

Often, you don’t need a drum to join a shamanic drumming circle.  You can use a rattle, or the drumming circle may lend you an instrument when and if its needed. Drumming as a group is sometimes the shorter portion of the time spent together.  So no worries!

Shaman Links has a blog post on drums for shamanic practice with more details on how to choose a drum.

Articles on Finding Your Shaman