Our story
Ancient Rhythm, Living Community
Castle Carrock Drumming Circle is a gathering place for anyone drawn to the transformative power of the shamanic drum — no experience needed, just an open heart.
How it began
Born from a Calling
The circle began quietly — a handful of friends meeting in a living room, drawn together by a shared curiosity about rhythm and its deeper dimensions. To travelling the country attending Shamanic retreats, To linking with other drumming circles around Cumbria district.
We found our home at the Watson Institute On the Mar, a space that holds the energy of our gatherings with warmth and intention. Each month we will return to grow the circle a little wider.
The shamanic tradition
Why the Drum?
Discover the Power of the Drum! Across cultures and throughout human history, the drum has been used as a vehicle for healing, journeying, and community. Our drumming circle offers an accessible space to quiet the mind, release tension, and achieve a state of deep, restorative peace. Whether you are seeking emotional healing, spiritual alignment, or simply a moment of stillness in a busy world, this circle provides a gateway to deeper consciousness and connection. All this may seem at odds with what we believe “drumming” can achieve, however beating out a specific frequency rhythm produces a meditative trans like state.
We draw on the core shamanic tradition — a distillation of universal shamanic practices that is accessible to anyone, regardless of cultural background. You do not need to hold any particular belief system. The drum speaks to something older than belief. In Shamanic practice, drumming serves as a rhythmic bridge—a "sonic vehicle"—that allows the practitioner to enter an altered state of consciousness to navigate the three realms of non-ordinary reality. Each world serves a specific purpose in the journey toward healing, guidance, and spiritual growth: The Lower World: Often perceived as a place of deep nature and grounding, this realm is primarily associated with Power Animals and nature spirits. Journeying here is typically focused on retrieving lost personal power, healing emotional wounds, and connecting with the primal energies of the earth. The Middle World: This represents the spiritual dimension of our current, physical reality. It is inhabited by the spirits of nature (like trees, stones, or weather) and ancestors. Practitioners journey here to gain information about current life situations, seek help with practical problems, or interact with the spiritual essence of the physical world. The Upper World: Often envisioned as a realm of light and ethereal beauty, this world is the domain of Spiritual Teachers, guides, and higher wisdom. Journeys to this realm are sought for receiving guidance, gaining clarity on life’s purpose, or accessing profound spiritual insights that transcend the limitations of the physical plane. By visiting these worlds, the drummer moves beyond their ordinary, ego-centric perspective. The process is designed to bring back wisdom, energy, or healing that can be integrated into their daily life, helping to restore balance to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
What we stand for
Radical welcome
Every person who walks through the door is met without judgement. Beginners, sceptics, and seasoned practitioners sit in the same circle.
Grounded practice
We take the work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Humour, warmth, and groundedness are as important as depth.
Community first
The circle is not a class or a performance. It is a shared space where something is created together that none of us could create alone.
Your facilitator
Clare
Circle facilitator & shamanic practitioner
Clare has been working with the shamanic drum for over ---------- years, training with Shamanic Studies and continuing her practice through regular solo work and community facilitation.
Her approach is warm, unpretentious, and deeply respectful of each person's own path. She holds the circle with care, ensuring every gathering feels both safe and genuinely alive.
Ready to join the circle?
Our monthly sessions are open to all. Come once and see how it feels.