Not so Perfect Pagan - Drumming and the Goddess Mother's Heartbeat

Drumming and the Goddess Mother's Heartbeat

Orange County Drumming Circles

To search for more then half my life to find something that connects us to Mother Earth's heartbeat may for some seem a waste of that life. But for me, it has come when I alone understood why. Why I am a drummer, why the sound of the drum roots me to the Divine, to our Earth and to everything I am, have been or will be...

Why that as I move into a place where I am a solitary in my spiritual path and the single sound of my own heart is all I hear as it blends with the Goddess' as I play, She still has me look to the union of the drum circle and the echo of my own rhythm within it...

I know my will creates the energy which drives my hand. But is it not also the energy of my drum answering that will which keeps me going through the highs and lows of the pulse and rhythm. Is it not the combining of our energy that guides me to join the Great Goddess Mother, the Universe and the Spirit of Oneness that binds us all together in the heartbeat of the drum.

Shade 10/16/2004

NEW - White Woman Drums

The Drummers Creed

I am a drummer.... I do not worship my drum, but it helps me to connect with something that is spiritual.

I connect with my drum in my way, as many others connect with their drums in their own way.

My drum is something that is sacred to me, for it is more then an instrument, it IS my altar.

I will not touch other peoples drums without first asking their permission,

for I respect the relationship that someone has with their drum.

I will not assume that I shall be the loudest or the fastest drummer in a circle.

I will listen before drumming; I will merge my rhythms into what the group is playing.

I will not force the circle onto a specific path, but let it grow to where spirit takes it.

I am a drummer and I will seek to constantly learn. I will connect with others,

remain open and allow them to join with me. I am a drummer...

Drumming Circles Change... Please Call Ahead!

Anaheim Learning Light Foundation: 1212 E. Lincoln Ave, Anaheim 714-533-2311 Dates: First Friday each month Facilitators: Liz Prall, Meredith Lloyd Time: 7:30 - 9:30 PM Cost: $15 (10% off for members)

Balboa Pier African Corner: 714-775-3370 - Kiro DRUMMING CIRCLE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DIED FROM KATRINA All money collected will go to the disaster fund Sunday, September 18 & 25 7:00 to 9:00pm AT THE OCEAN- left of Balboa Pier. 55 South to Newport to Balboa Boulevard to B Street

Brea Brea Community Center: 695 E Madison Way, Brea 714-990-7100 Dates: Third Sunday each month Facilitator: Melinda Rodriguez Time: 12:00 noon – 1:30 PM Cost: $10 Drop-in

Costa Mesa The Camp: 2937 Bristol St (in mall at fire pit, across from The Lab), - Dates: Every Sunday night Facilitator: Mel, Tim 714-214-1338 Time: 7:00 PM - ? Cost: Free - Bring something to sit on

Fountain Valley Los Caballeros Racquet Club Complex: 17270 Newhope St, Fountain Valley Dates: Every Wednesday night Facilitator: David Comfort Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM Cost: $10

Fullerton First Church of Religious Science: 117 N. Pomona 714-774-1969 Jim - Facilitator: Rotating guest facilitators Dates: Third Saturday each month Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Cost: $15 Suggested Donation

Huntington Beach Mermaid’s Treasure Chest: 19881-D Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach 714-962-0622 (“Mystic Rhythms”) Dirk or Rhiannon Dates: First Wednesday each month Facilitator: Dirk Barkemeijer de Wit Time: 7:30 -? Cost: $11 Suggested Donation Call first

Irvine Goddess Temple: 17881 Sky Park Cir, #E, Irvine 1-800-N-TEMPLE (Women Only”) Dates: Every Full Moon Facilitator: Melinda Rodriguez Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM Cost: $10 Suggested Donation (Men and Women) Dates: Every New Moon Facilitator: Melinda Rodriguez Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM Cost: $10 Suggested Donation

Laguna Beach Laguna Beach Drumming Circle - First Friday before the Full Moon

Laguna Beach The Phat Drum Circle: Main Beach, Laguna Beach Dates: Every Sunday afternoon in summer only Facilitator: Marcus Tucker Time: 4:00 PM – Dusk Cost: Free Bring something to sit on

Laguna Niguel Mission Lutheran Church: 24360 Yosemite Rd, Laguna Niguel 949-306-3734 (“Healing Rhythms”) David Van Dorn Dates: Every Sunday afternoon Facilitator: David Van Dorn Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM Cost: Love offering

Long Beach WOMEN’S DRUM CIRCLE At Whaley Park, From 7th Street, turn North on Bellflower Blvd. Turn right on Atherton. Turn right into the first driveway. This is the Whaley Park parking lot. Walk to the right of the ball park. We will be just past the restrooms. On Saturday, September 24th, 4 pm to 6 pm Potluck – bring your favorite dish. Also, bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Please RSVP to stracko@csulb.edu ,Let me know if you need a drum and what you will be bringing to the potluck.

Tustin Unity Church of Tustin: 14402 S. Prospect Ave. Tustin 714-730-3486 First Friday each month Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Cost: Love offering

Hand Drum Instructors

David Comfort: Highly energetic and entertaining instruction, currently holding classes in Costa Mesa or Fountain Valley?

Souhail Kaspar: Masterful Middle-Eastern doumbek instruction, currently holding classes in Santa Ana and Van Nuys.

Pat Nishikawa: Fun-filled drum classes available for all levels of competency, currently holding classes in Whittier, and also for a compilation of many resources on the web for hand drumming enthusiasts.

Melinda Rodriguez: Warmly capable, wonderfully joyful tutoring, currently facilitating drum circles countywide.

LEARN TO DRUM with Candy - A Class Focusing on Basic Movement, Rhythms, Timing, and Hand Co-ordination. Some Beats and Rhythms include Arabic and African Drums will be provided or bring your own if you have one (or 2, or 3….) before each drum circle 4-5pm $10

Hand Drum Supplies

SingingOtter Cedar - 6 - 13 sided Drum Frames, along with many other hand made products...