Ancient Secrets of the
Bee Priestesses
Fri-Sun July 18-20
A Workshop for Frame Drummers
with Layne Redmond
Chanting, overtone singing, and humming sacred sounds to the rhythms of the frame drum is an ancient technique for directly synchronizing the mind and body, creating conditions for psychological, physical, and spiritual healing. The ancient Bee Priestesses, called the Melissa in Greek, or the Deborahs in Hebrew, served the Bee Goddesses—Aphrodite, Artemis, Cybele, Demeter, Persephone, Neith—all associated with the frame drum! Many of bee priestesses functioned as oracles, and traditional drumming, humming, and pranayama practices are said to develop the oracular capacity.
This gathering will explore these ancient secrets through drumming and chanting, overtone singing, and buzzing and humming practices, including a slide lecture on the practices of the drumming bee priestesses who served the Bee Goddesses. During the workshop we will:
* Work on groove rhythms from North Africa and Brazil on the Middle Eastern Style tambourine and tar.
* Learn yogic practices of the Bee Goddess from India—mudra and mantra for the bee goddess, several forms of Bhramari, pranayama practices derived from the buzzing of bees which vibrates and realigns the entire nervous system, brain, and body by buzzing the vocal chords, and the Four Purifications, a sequence of pranayamas and bandhas, or energy locks.
* Create sacred space through ritual with the frame drum and sacred sounds, focusing on the heart chakra to help bring balance to ourselves, our culture, and the world. We will experience thinking mythically and working ritually, seeing what was, what is, and what can be. Rituals communicate between the different dimensions of our being, between human and divine. Sacred symbols, sound, and energy transforms our drumming and chanting into an act of self-realization.
This workshop is open to women and men who have previously studied frame drumming with Layne or with Farrunnissa, and who have an Egyptian-style tambourine and a Middle Eastern-style tar.
See details below for attending a qualifying "Introduction to Frame Drum" class with Farrunnissa on 17-May in Durham
Early Registration by 25-Jun: $190; after 25-Jun: $220.
Registration deadline: 10-Jul.
Registration includes the weekend workshop, handouts, shared ritual, and snacks and drinks. To minimize costs, meals and lodging are not included. Lots of great food options are nearby, and lodging within walking distance is available from $49 per night (see www.orbitz.com, et.al.).
To register, send your name, address, phone number, and email address with a check payable to "Beauty Circles", to Farrunnissa Lila Rosa, 5611 Buttonwood Court, Durham NC 27713. Confirmation and map will be sent in early July.
Questions? Contact Farrunnissa at NurLuna@aol.com or 919 361-2383
