Drum Circles Options

It seems this part of the forum isn't visited much but hopefully that can change! I'm pretty neww to the path of shamanism, though I've taken pieces of the practice into my own path on occasion, the actual practice itself is new and I'm utterly untrained. Reecently I've found the drum that I've been searching for and Have been doing drum circles with the group I do/work magic with, we are from many practices and so far all seem to benefit from these circles, but being new to it and untrained I only learn through experience and refining techniques can be difficult, so i was wondering if anyone more trained in shamanism may have tips and also if ANYONE wants to share stories and experiences of drum work of any kind I'd love to hear it.
Blessed be,
Laguz.

It seems this part of the forum isn't visited much but hopefully that can change! I'm pretty neww to the path of shamanism, though I've taken pieces of the practice into my own path on occasion, the actual practice itself is new and I'm utterly untrained. Reecently I've found the drum that I've been searching for and Have been doing drum circles with the group I do/work magic with, we are from many practices and so far all seem to benefit from these circles, but being new to it and untrained I only learn through experience and refining techniques can be difficult, so i was wondering if anyone more trained in shamanism may have tips and also if ANYONE wants to share stories and experiences of drum work of any kind I'd love to hear it.
Blessed be,
Laguz.

I envy you. Where I am in the world, I don't know of anyone who practises Shamanism. My drumming, as it were, involves listening to a drumming tape.

I have been performing Shamanism for a couple of years though. I find it very helpful to do a commentary on your visions as you're experiencing them. It may feel foolish at the time, but as a lot of us already knew and quantum physics is now trying to prove, language creates and re-affirms our realities. The very act of describing what you are seeing only solidifies it, makes it more real.

Also, as I've been advised on this very board, go into your journey's with a very specific question. Whether it's to obtain a mentor/power animal or to ask something of your power animal, it's always best to have clear intent and a very simple question, one that cannot be taken in a different way from what you mean.

As far as I know, Drumming circles are a way of concentrating the collective energy, creating far more vivid journeys.

Best of luck.

If you are part of a group of drummers you might take turns being the one who goes on the journeys. I have found that when I am actively drumming I may go into a trance, but it is difficult to go on the trip because part of me needs to stay and continue the act of drumming. But if I lay down on the floor, chesterfield or bed while the other(s) drum then I am able to leave the body. Also if you have enough people it is best to keep one person as the safety person, monitoring in case something goes wrong, rather like a lifeguard or facilitator. We used to go off into the woods to do this. Occasionally people would wander off farther into the woods and stumble around or fall over things.

A single person drumming while the rest journey gives everyone the chance to get deeply into the journey experience.
Take turns being the drummer or double up for twin drummers.

Having a common objective for a journey and comparing experiences afterward is very useful,
especially if you synthesize a group "answer" from the synchronicities.

A journey to find the purpose/spirit/misson of your group is a good place to start

If you want to get the whole group going, have everyone "dance" their power animal.
Start moving around the circle with rattles & drums & let the animals express themselves.
This can be very powerful.
Circle in the same direction to avoid (most) collisions.

On all of our group circles I do the drumming, which pretty much keeps me from journeying so I feel ya with the recorded drumming Tom. The commentary idea is interesting, and I ink I'll try it out tonight and see what the effect is. Maybe it'll help me remember haha, i struggle to remember a lot and normally have to hit my BOS right away to record and not lose any information so thank you.
Goibniu, I'm the only drummer really, although I have had a friend drum me under before, but having someone else touching my drum felt... Pretty uncomfortable. I'm some what hoping that I can over come this or find someone I do feel comfortable using my drum so I may be able to benefit via journeying in the circle (although being in the circle at all and with such positive people is a blessing at all, I really would like to switch off drummers as well)
General, Depending on the circles we either have a collective goal or each set our individual goals out loud before the drumming, but I've never thought of drumming for a goal in the group or dancing for power, which could be a good idea for in vision, but some of our group arent incredibly coordinated so I think we'll wait till a latr time for power dancing haha.
Thank you all for the ideas and thoughts!
PS: Tom if you ever start feeling the pull of a drum, look towards local native circles or blackstone drums. Blackstone made my raven drum and I've never had a stronger partner in my spiritual work, even when we aren't drumming he helps me greatly, and although drums get a little expensive, they are really well priced and more about spiritual experience than being rich if you ask me.