RETREAT TO THE RHYTHM OF STILLNESS
What a treat to take time out, sit in a circle, be somewhere beautiful, and do something peaceful.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
TWO EVENTS THIS month – a Beading and Drumming Workshop and a Women's Retreat, both run by Jane Anderson of Sage Drums – are opportunities to do exactly that.
"When we give ourselves permission to stop, to retreat, to give back to ourselves, it helps us ignite our creativity,” Anderson says.
"[Also] to not have to cook or clean or be responsible for anyone else but yourself is integral.”
A woman of Scottish and Irish heritage, Anderson visits the Red Centre from her home and birthplace in Tasmania. In the Women's Retreat, she offers a weekend of rest and sharing in the beautiful and quiet surrounds of Campfire in the Heart, sharing teachings first introduced to her by the late Rita Morning Star.
"[Rita] offered a course called Moon Lodge for women. She taught me the ways of the Medicine Wheel for over two years while I sat with her wisdom ... Also, Lesley Crossingham's book, Sacred Circle Ocean of Stars, has been integral to my learning, along with numerous teachings about the Medicine Wheel."
In the Drumming and Beading Workshop, held at Corkwood Collective, Anderson uses a hoop drum that represents this Medicine Wheel. She talks about the drum's rhythm as a powerful source of balance and connection.
"Drumming is very soothing. It is also a very simple, powerful way to become present in your own body, to get out of the busy mind, and be still."
Her connection to the Medicine Wheel and drumming is a spiritual one, and of being "asked to share" knowledge from courses, readings and camps "from a place of respect, humility and reverence."
"The journey of the retreats isn’t about pretending to be Indigenous, or knowing things I couldn’t even pretend to understand. [The retreats] give people the space … to learn about themselves in their own individual and unique ways,” she says.
"I cannot tell [people] how to do it, but I can instill in them the respect and humility needed to walk lightly, to be present, to remember the history, to understand that there is so much we cannot know."
Of the retreats, Anderson hopes attendees walk away with a little spring in their step.
“[I hope] they can find integrity in [their] own story, stand tall, renewed, recharged with enthusiasm for living."
Women's Earth Medicine Retreat
WHEN FRI 19 – SUN 21 SEP
AT CAMPFIRE IN THE HEART
COST $550-$650 (INC. ACCOM & MEALS)
Beading & Drumming
WHEN SAT 27 SEP | 10AM-3PM & SUN 28 SEP | 10AM-2.30PM
AT CORKWOOD COLLECTIVE
COST $185 BOTH | $155 BEADING, $55 SACRED CIRCLE
INFO sagedrumstasmania.com.au
