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Echoes of the Ancestors

Weekend Drum Birthing Retreat

A transformative weekend of crafting, ceremony, and connection

 

Samhain: 30 October - 1 November 2026   |   Imbolc: 29 - 31 January 2027

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Across cultures, the drum is recognised as more than just an instrument - it is a sacred tool, used for meditation, journeying and healing, and it is an honour to be the keeper of a drum. The drum is a heartbeat, a bridge to other worlds and a living presence shaped from the land. It carries the memory of the earth and the sky, the spirit of the animal who offered its skin and the quiet strength of the tree whose body forms the frame.

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Join me for a weekend drum birthing retreat on the Llŷn Peninsula in northwest Wales, in which you'll craft your own shamanic drum, using all natural materials and traditional methods.  ​Held in a supportive, sacred space, this retreat honours the drum as both a tool and a teacher -something you will come to understand deeply as you craft it with your own hands. ​

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Birthing a drum is a deeply personal experience, and the start of a relationship: as you cut, soak, lace and stretch your drum, you weave your own story with the spirit of the materials. The drum becomes a companion - steady, grounded, and wise -  a guide in your practice and a keeper of your intentions. Its voice will be shaped not only by your hands, but by the season in which it is born, the land beneath your feet, and the intention you breathe into it as you work.

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Drum birthing at the thresholds of the year

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This retreat is held twice a year, aligned with two of the most powerful thresholds in the Celtic Wheel of the Year: Imbolc and Samhain. These are liminal times, when intuition is heightened and the Otherworld is closer, and drums birthed at these times are infused with the energy of the season.

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Imbolc marks the first stirrings of spring: a time of renewal, inspiration, and quiet emergence. Drums birthed at Imbolc often carry the energy of new beginnings, clarity, and creative spark. They become companions for calling in what you wish to grow, supporting you as you step into the next chapter of your life with intention and light.

 

Samhain is the ancient Celtic new year, a time of honouring ancestors, inner reflection, and powerful transformation. Drums birthed at Samhain often hold a deep, grounding presence - a connection to lineage, intuition, and the unseen. They become allies for shadow work, ancestral healing, and navigating the inner realms with courage and clarity.

 

When you birth a drum at one of these times, you’re not just crafting an instrument, you’re weaving the energy of the season into its very being.  Both are powerful in different ways, and both support you long after the retreat ends.

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What the retreat includes

 

  • A full weekend of drum birthing instruction and guidance from an experienced drum birthing facilitator in a small group environment

  • All materials and use of tools needed to craft your own drum and beater

  • Rituals and ceremony woven throughout the process

  • Teachings about the historical and spiritual significance of drumming and drum making across cultures

  • Two nights’ luxury shepherd hut accommodation at Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts, each with a kitchen, ensuite toilet and shower, log burner, and outdoor space, bedding and towels are all provided, and the option to extend your stay for an extra night at the special rate of £75

  • Simple home-made vegetarian lunches on Saturday and Sunday (please note that regrettably, we are unable to cater for specific diets, allergies or intolerances)

  • Herbal teas and spring water throughout the retreat

  • Comprehensive post-retreat drum care instructions

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What to expect

 

you will be part of a small group of no more than eight participants, ensuring a comfortable and supportive environment. We work in sacred ceremony throughout the drum birthing retreat and depending on the weather, we will work either in a converted barn or outdoors. 

 

Over the weekend, you will:

 

  • Craft your own 16" drum and beater using natural materials and traditional techniques

  • Explore the symbolism of drum birthing materials and processes within British and Celtic spiritual traditions

  • Understand the sacred nature of the drum and its role in healing and ceremony

  • Experience a profound, intentional process of creation: you may have laughter, tears, frustration, release, insight, or stillness as you connect with your drum.

  • Connect with the spirit of your drum and begin to understand how you will work together

  • Learn about the cultural, historical, and spiritual significance of drumming

  • Learn how to care for your drum and work with it for healing, guidance and wisdom.

Friday

 

Arrive between 3.00 and 5.00 pm.

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After settling in, we'll gather in circle at around 6 pm to open our ceremony and prepare for your drum birthing.

 

During the evening, you'll learn about the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of drumming, then you'll choose the hoop and animal hide that you'll use to craft your drum.

Saturday

 

A full day drum birthing ceremony: you'll cut your hide, prepare the hoop, and craft your drum at your own pace, with guidance and support as needed.

 

You'll then take part in a guided shamanic journey to connect with your drum before having some downtime to journal, explore the local area or simply rest.

 

After supper, we'll gather around the fire to share stories.

Sunday

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In the morning you'll craft a beater to accompany your drum, selecting the materials you wish to use,  and we'll talk about how to care for your drum and beater.

 

We'll close with a ceremony to bless and welcome your drum and beater.

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The retreat will end at around 4 pm.

This retreat is for you if...​

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  • You feel called to birth your own drum as part of your spiritual or healing journey

  • You want to bring your own medicine, intention and energy into your drum

  • You wish to immerse yourself in a journey of healing, nature connection and supported transformation

  • You want to know that your drum and beater are made with ethically sourced hide and wood

  • You value working in an authentic, connected way​

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Where and when

 

Location: The Barn at Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts, near Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

Dates: Friday 30 October - Sunday 1 November 2026; Friday 29 - Sunday 31 January 2027.

 

Places are strictly limited to ensure a supportive, comfortable environment, so early booking is recommended.​ 

Cost

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£595 per person or £495 per person when attending as a couple or friends sharing a hut (each hut has one double bed).

 

I am able to offer a limited number of subsidised non‑residential places for residents of Gwynedd at £350 per person. If you live locally and would like to book one of these places, please contact me before booking so I can confirm availability and verify your address.

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Birthing a drum is a profound and highly personal process, and the retreat is crafted with great care long before you arrive. The cost reflects the true value of what is included: ethically sourced animal hides and wooden hoops, specialist tools, and the hours of preparation required to ensure each drum is ready to be birthed in ceremony. ​It also includes two nights of private, luxury accommodation, nourishing meals, and a fully held ceremonial space throughout the weekend. Group sizes are intentionally kept small so that every participant receives individual guidance, support, and spaciousness.

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This retreat is the result of years of training, experience, and devotion to the craft of drum birthing. The price honours the materials, the land, the lineage of the practice, and the depth of the experience you will receive.

​​​​​Payment and cancellation policy

 

A great deal of preparation goes into each retreat, including the sourcing and preparation of materials for your individual drum. For this reason, a non‑refundable £250 deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place and cover the cost of these materials.

 

The remaining balance is payable 60 days before the retreat begins. If you pay the full amount on booking, and subsequently need to cancel before this 60‑day point, you will receive a refund less the £250 deposit. After the 60‑day mark, refunds are not possible, so we recommend you take out appropriate insurance in case unexpected circumstances arise.​​

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​About me

 

I am an experienced shamanic practitioner and trained Drum Birthing Facilitator, having studied with Jonathan Weekes of Heron Drums. I have been birthing drums and holding space for others to birth their own drums for many years, and I  use my own drums in ceremony and healing, each one having its own distinct spirit, purpose, and voice. Supporting others through the drum birthing process is a privilege and a joy.

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Book your place

Testimonials

 

"Had an amazing day to birth my own drum in a small group. Joss is so passionate and knowledgable about sharing the process and history of the drum. I certainly felt that throughout the day and have come away with a renewed energy and excitement and can't wait to be able to play my drum. would thoroughly recommend The Wild Edges"

~ Fiona

 

"Had a fantastic day birthing my first drum. Joss has beautiful energy and made us all feel welcomed. She guided us step by step through the process and explained the history behind the drum. Balance that with ethically sourced materials made it a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend The Wild Edges."

~ Beck

 

"I recently did the shamanic drum birthing workshop with Joss and it was absolutely incredible! It was such an amazing day, Joss held the space so beautifully and I really did enjoy every minute of it. I’m SO happy with my drum and I cannot wait to start using it in healing sessions. I feel a really deep connection with it having created it myself so I know the healing is going to be really powerful. I couldn’t stop smiling all day! Thank you Joss!"

~ Cameron

 

"I was waiting for this day for a few months, as I bought the ticket super early. But I was determined to birth my drum. Joss didn’t disappoint me, the house was beautiful and well set for the ceremony. She was very informative and stayed by our side while we were birthing our drums. She has a beautiful and calm energy. I didn’t realise that birthing a drum could be a process in itself, I was deep in the process, Joss was so supportive and kind when things got a little tough for me. At the end of the workshop Joss gave us all the information on how to look after the drum and took us on a shamanic journey to meet our drum spirit, which was so beautiful and insightful.  I will be coming back to Joss’s beautiful house for another workshop very soon. She is a true healer, with a kind heart. We need more healers like her in this world."

~ Laura

Private drum birthing retreats

 

If you’re unable to attend the scheduled retreat dates, and would like to birth your own drum in ceremony, I also offer one to one and family drum birthing:

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  • A one‑to‑one drum birthing ceremony is a deeply personal and intimate experience. Held at my home on the Llŷn Peninsula, this full‑day retreat offers you the space to move at your own rhythm, to listen closely to your intuition, and to work in a quiet, held environment where every part of the process is tailored to you. You'll craft your drum in ceremony, guided step by step, with time for reflection, connection, and the inner work that often arises during the birthing process. Many people choose a one‑to‑one session when they are marking a personal threshold, seeking clarity, or wishing to create a drum that holds a very specific intention or prayer. From £395. Pricing varies depending on choice of hoop and hide - please contact me to discuss your needs.

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  • A family drum birthing ceremony is a beautiful way to honour a shared journey.  Families often choose to birth a drum together to mark an important moment: a birth, a marriage, a loss, a new beginning, a rite of passage, or a turning point in the family story. The drum becomes a keeper of your collective intention - a symbol of unity, resilience, and connection. Together, you'll craft one drum as a family, combining your energy, love, and prayers into a single, powerful creation. This is a deeply bonding experience - a weaving of voices, hands, and hearts. Working together in ceremony, you will each take part in the crafting process, contributing your own presence and blessings. The drum that emerges carries the spirit of your family, held in the hide, the hoop, and the heartbeat you bring to life together. From £495. Pricing varies depending on group size and materials - please contact me to discuss your needs.

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Commissioned drums

 

If you feel called to have a drum birthed for you rather than crafting it yourself, I also offer commissioned drums. These are created in ceremony, with your intentions, prayers, and preferences woven into every stage of the process.

 

Before I begin, we'll have a call to explore what you want from your drum - the qualities you’re seeking, the energy you wish it to carry, and the way you hope to work with it. We will also discuss material options, including the type of hide, the wood for the hoop, and any symbolic elements you feel drawn to.

 

Your drum will then be birthed in ceremony on your behalf, with your intentions held throughout the process. Each commissioned drum is unique, carrying the spirit of the materials, the energy of the ceremony, and the essence of what you have asked it to hold.

 

From £325. Pricing varies depending on the materials chosen and the specific qualities you wish your drum to embody. Please email to discuss your vision.

 

To enquire about private drum birthing retreats or commissions, please email me at thewildedges@pm.me.

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