Finding My Heartbeat at Raven Song
A Retreat for Creating, Bonding, Drumming and Love
Back in September I went on a magical journey to beautiful Orcas Island for a drum making retreat. I was called to go to the land called Raven Song where Mila Redwood and Baelyn Neff organized four days of creating, bonding, drumming and love. I needed to have some days of healing and peace after a tumultuous summer.
The days at Raven Song would begin with Mila singing like an angel to us as we awoke beneath majestic pines, and then Baelyn would beautifully serve tea for a meditative ceremony. Building our drums from rawhide and sinew took hours of concentrated handiwork, but I felt so inspired and focused. We ate incredibly nourishing meals prepared by a lovely sister named Jackie, who was able to pick most of the produce from Raven Song’s prolific garden. I have to admit I was a little concerned about my camping skills, however with such incredible earth goddesses like Daughter of the Sun and Mia Maestro I was well taken care of. I fell truly in love with the island surrounded by the Salish Sea. I felt like I was transported to another time where the mystical realm meets the natural world. I learned some vital lessons on this journey. One is that women need community and sisterhood to flourish and bloom. I met some new sisters that I felt a deep connection to, and will now be lifetime friends with. The other lesson is going away into nature for a few days can be so vital for our peace of mind and health. As women we expend so much energy taking care of others, and sometimes we simply need to fill up the reservoir.
On the last day of the retreat, Mila led us to an ancient and sacred place on the top of a mountain. Drumming there in a circle with my beautiful sisters I felt a deep connection to Mama Earth and it all felt somehow familiar. The lineage between us and our ancestors was tangible and truly healing. I am forever grateful for finding my heartbeat again . . . Interview with Mila Redwood below! Photos by Renata Chebel.
For more spiritual rituals see The Local Rose.
1) What inspired you and Baelyn to create the Heart Beat Retreat?
Our inspiration was born out of our beloved work with women and song, from experiencing the depth of beauty and connection that happens when we sing together in sisterhood. Connection to the earth, connection to our highest self, and connection to the ancient ways that we are now remembering. We saw this clearly at the Spirit Weavers Gathering, where Baelyn and I hold Song Circles for women each year. There are always women there who are singing together for the first time, with other women, and it is life changing for them. This was the seed of inspiration that led to the Heartbeat Retreat.
Through our love for song, we were inspired to hold a retreat for women to journey into the heartbeat of the earth, through the creation of their own sacred drum. The Women’s Drum is a portal to open the heart ~ It connects the rhythm of our own heartbeat to the rhythm of Mother Earth, awakening our deepest calling and life purpose. For this journey, we wanted to create a space where women would feel deeply nourished, celebrated, and honored for who they are, to be safe and supported in their wild, true essence, where beauty and joy have no limits!
2) How do you feel connecting to Gaia makes your life richer?
Connecting with Mother Earth is the foundation of all Love in my life. Living in the rhythms of nature, whether it be growing my own food, milking my beloved goats, or making drums from the materials on my land ~ All of these ways help me to remember my connection to all that is, and feel whole again. It is my greatest joy to share these ways with the world, as my offering to build a more empowered, connected, and beautiful life on earth.
3) How do you connect with Gaia on a daily basis?
Mainly I listen to her, play with her, and celebrate her! Every morning, no matter how busy I am, I take the time to listen to the earth, to the birds, to the wind, to the water. I love to bring my drum down to the pond on our land, and offer a morning song to Gaia before the day begins!
4) Are you a mermaid or Forest fairy?
Both! I live in the forest on a magical island, always connecting with the earth and water at once. So I guess that makes me a mermaid forest fairy!
5) Do you have a beauty regime or secret?
My secret beauty regime is singing! It is my meditation, workout, and the daily practice that connects me with the beauty inside and out.
6) Where do you see yourself ten years from now? Or perhaps you try to always stay in the present.
My dream for the present moment, and the future, is to create a world of harmony where we bridge our differences through the power of song, where each voice is celebrated for its own unique truth and beauty, where we feel safe and empowered to sing our hearts open, together in community.
7) Do you have a motto or creed you live by?
I learned this prayer from a Grandmother in Hawaii, that has become my daily mantra ~
I am here to manifest the wisdom that rests within,
I am here to radiate my loving compassion into the world,
I am here to gather the skill and the power to bless and empower all.
8) What book is on your nightstand or what are you learning about today?
I just can’t live without Pablo Neruda’s Love Poems 
Photo by Maharlika Sage
Please, Please, PLEASE, make a tutorial on how to make a drum like this, it would be amazing to be able to create and have one of my own. Absolutely love this post.
Also Shiva I think you should make a mediation CD, your voice is perfect for it……….No pressure ha ha 🙂
have a lovely day xxxx
Great idea Anita. Maybe Mila Redwood would consider. She also has other drum making workshops throughout the year. Thank you blessings
Please come to San Francisco. This looks amazing.