The Final Full Moon of 2020….Phew!

Tonight is the last and thirteenth Full Moon of 2020. Phew!

It is a time of fullness and completion. The Full Moon light has a radiance and energy that reminds us of that, which nourishes, restores, and replenishes.

And wow, do we need it!

This year has often felt like a grueling, unannounced, unprepared for, collective rite-of-passage.

Many of us have felt confronted, challenged, isolated, perplexed, lonely, grief-stricken, combative and confused, (or was all of that just me?!:) lol! Hopefully, there have also been many moments of wonder, joy, nourishment, simplicity, natural pleasure, peace, and generosity.

At the closing of one cycle and the opening of another, it feels like an important time to take inventory of what we are releasing and renew our focus on those people, activities, and things that give life rich meaning.

For me, what I return to again and again is the sacred drum along with yoga, nature, and human connection.

Times like these make me appreciate simplicity.

Yet, the practice of the frame drum also has a way of awakening the deep mythopoetic imagination. It links us to a mysterious and almost forgotten lineage of everyday women, high priestesses, and God/dess revering peoples who used the sacred drum in their rites-of-passage and within the mystery schools, secular ceremonies, musical celebrations, and religions of the ancient world.

The lore of the mystery schools of the ancient temple complexes and stone circles of Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, Old Europe, and other places never fails to fascinate! And to think the frame drum played such a prominent role in many of those same mystery schools and in people's lives and community rituals for millennia.

The more I learn, the more amazed I am and the less I know, I know.

What we do know is that the sacred drum truly is a world-wide ancient/modern cross-cultural phenomenon.

Now it's time again to create our own modern-day rites-of-passages and honor and acknowledge those that spontaneously come - sometimes unbidden.

Though I don't know your life's details - I recognize that this human life school can be quite a challenge for many of us on any given day!

Life can also be awe-inspiringly beautiful and miraculous, and according to the yogis and mystics - life is an auspicious blessing for each of us - regardless of our circumstances.

So, keep tethering to those people, activities, and things that give your life and even your struggles - meaning.

As they say - what you're doing is not nothing!

And if, like so many people raised in modern Western culture, you somehow feel as though you're never doing enough - forget about that! Release habituations of thought that are no longer helpful (I'm going to try to live by my own words here.) Be easy with yourself and others in the coming years. After a certain age, you come to realize - we've all been through a lot.

Lean into what brings you joy ~ learn to rest deeply ~ live from your true essence ~ engage your creativity ~ rejuvenate in nature ~ learn to stalk your own shadow ~ love and care for people (and from - afar - if they can't care for you back.)

Ah, and even if you can't see her - mentally drink in the replenishment and nourishment of the Full-Moon amrita soma nectar and luminous light for the next few nights!

Lastly, if you feel the call to learn to play the frame drum in 2021 or deepen your practice, please join me in an upcoming online circle or inside the FRAME DRUMMING ACADEMY
when doors open again mid-year.

Luckily, the frame drum is a fairly simple instrument to learn (though not always easy:) and works splendidly online!
 

Many find the connection to the sacred drum deeply nourishing and enlivening, and it just might give your life deeper meaning ~ as it has done for me and so many others before me.