Shamanic drum-birthing: Reindeer skin and Branch of Mother Tree
Shamanic drum-birthing:
Reindeer skin and Branch of Mother Tree
With Christiana Aro-Harle
August 5 – 11, 2025
Joypack, Koivu near Rovaniemi
This is a continuation workshop. Best if you have experiences with shamanic journeying and “power-animal retrieval”. A basic workshop in shamanic healing/journeying is recommended to participate in this workshop or you have worked privately with someone. Please check with Christiana if you are uncertain.
If we speak of tradition of shaman’s drum-making then we can speak of many years of it coming into being. These drum’s were not born overnight nor in a weekend. A shaman might dream of their drum for years or even days, but the work needed to birth it would last over days, nights, even years. During this week-long workshop you are invited to bring your dream with you and work intensely. This drum may be your drum you use in shamanic healing, it may be your initiation onto another path of your Life, it may be a community drum. During this week-long retreat part of your path may be revealed through birthing of the shaman’s drum.
The shaman’s drum is alive and has a spirit. This helping spirit is intimately connected with the shaman’s healing work whether for self, others or place. Within numerous cultures over the world the shaman’s drum can be heard pulsating in earth and sky and ourselves. This is a week-long excursion into the Spirit World, Spirits of Nature and your own World.
The Spirits, stories and traditions handed down through time guide us as they have guided our ancestors in making the shaman drum. We explore various stories and traditions from Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America while learning to work intimately with the Spirits in the making of our own healing drums during this intensive week. Shaman drums are often made by the shaman healer and relatives. We work individually and as a community. Drums are born from reindeer skin and split-pine frames, fire, water, earth and sky.
During this focused weeklong period we work through our spirit helpers and the shamanic journey, connecting with the spirits of nature, of direction and place to assist our work. Participants have opportunities to make out-sitting with the sun filled night. Through the help of our Spirit helpers and the Land we learn how to honour our drum and begin the path of working with it. The past and present through the shaman’s healing drum are our guides for living everyday life and healing.
This is a week-long retreat of research into the the world of spirits and nature as well as your own journey.
No previous handicraft, “artistic ability,” or woodworking experience necessary.
We take at the most eight persons. No alcohol, drugs, ethnogeons please. No previous handicraft, “artistic ability,” or woodworking experience necessary.
Language: English and Finnish.
Materials: Drums are made from reindeer skins and solid pine boards.
Meals: We prepare at least two-three meals per day, plus snacks, tea and coffee are available all day. We make food together in a semi-equipped kitchen. Outside is a large grilling area also. Food is mixed vegetarian, mostly organic. Perhaps fish. Definitely beans, seeds, nuts, eggs. All lactose free when moo-milk enters. We try to do all without milk to make cooking easier. Fermented veggies and milk products are also part of menu. Almost all Allergies and special diets we consider and plan for.
Cost: materials, rent, food, lodgings, sauna, travel 800€ incl. 25,5% VAT includes the deposit.
Payment details below from Christiana.
Accommodations: 2h/h, linens included, Own tent, tensile, hammock or mattress in communal floor space *.
Non-refundable deposit of 100€ to reserve your place by July 1, 2025. Final payment August 1, 2025.
Cancellations: With certified doctor’s statement we shall return your funds in full. If you cancel thirty days or less from the starting date we cannot refund your deposit unless someone steps in your place (gift someone!). If the organisers cancel we shall return your payment.
Arrival: You can arrive the day before in the evening if needed for small extra charge.
Airport: Rovaniemi is nearest airport. We suggest train and coach travelling!
Trains: Train stops in Tervola. Rides can be arranged from there for a small gifting to the driver. Some coaches travel the road between Rovaniemi and Kemi. Car-train stops in Oulu or Rovaniemi.
Coach: The destination is Koivu, Nelostie, Tervola.
Shortly about us:
CHRISTIANA ARO-HARLE, a shamanic healer, Music Therapist, Breathwork Therapist, and degrees in Women’s Consciousness, Beekeeping and Wine production as well as a shamanic drum-birther, has been working in the field of shamanic healing for almost thirty years. She has been teaching since her teens. Her path is woven with Land and Song, through Tuvan shamanic initiation with deepening paths into the Spirit of Song: the keener, the healer, the birther, the journey-er, the stinger. Christiana is passionate about supporting and guiding people to find their path, heal, remember and re-connect with Mother Earth and all Beings. This workshop is in its twenty-second year. VISIT: www.solavoima.fi
TMI SOLA VOIMA
+358 (0)50 494 7030
info@solavoima.fi
Kirkkoherrankuja 6
FIN-07970 Ruotsinpyhtää
FINLAND
FI17023399 REG.