2023 – Another Inspirational Year of Equine Guidance blended into our Monthly Drum Circles
September 2023 completed our 3rd year of monthly drum circles. These monthly gatherings encompassed the wisdom of the horses who live here on the farm. When we give space to the wisdom of those creatures around us to come forth naturally and divinely, the evidence of transformation is undoubtedly one of the key reasons we have opened to the guidance of these incredible horses. To witness the unfolding of their interaction with the group, how it shifts every time to blend into the energy they are sensing, and the ultimate experiences shared by those present has been one of the most life changing events I have had the honor to facilitate.
Over the past 3 years, the horses have shown me how to weave my ‘agenda’ into the gifts and interaction they choose or not to bring to our group. If only we had taken pictures of the look of amazement and wonder on the faces of those who were touched by one or more of the horses. Their lives changed forever from a heart to heart, soul to soul connection with these beloved and focused beings.
At each gathering we experienced the deep connection the horses shared with us as a group or those one on one moments that are so transformative. During and following the gathering people have shared their amazement at the way the horses interacted with the ceremony, and their timing of connection to bring about a shift within that will be felt forever, and knowing the change came in such a pure and loving way.
Since we began these circles in 2020 the horses have guided us into how and when they show up. They will gallop over from the very back 
field as they sense the group arriving. They feel the energy of everyone and then show us whether we need to ground, clear or shift in some way by either choosing to stay with us, or galloping back from where they came, or circling together, indicating the energy needed to change. And…..sure enough, once the energies were less erratic and more balanced, they would inevitably return to remain with us for the rest of the ceremony. The horses love the sound of the drums, they will stand still, almost in a trance, or enjoy feeling the vibration of the drum again the tip of their nose as the person plays the drum. The horses all respond differently and their curiosity often stops whatever we were planning to do so we may fully embrace the teachings being brought before us.
The horses would also stand in ceremony with us, as we opened sacred space and called in our guides and beings from this realm and others to be with the group. They would often line up along the fence to be close to the divine energy, being open for the journeying, discussion and drumming that would follow. These incredible horses would each express their wisdom in their own unique way, this created connection with one or more of the group and often a healing on an emotional level would take place.
The freedom of interaction, and the choice of connection is what we know to be the beauty of the experiences we have all had. Heart openings, drumming with a 1000-1500 lb creature by your side, an eye to eye, deep soul response to a few moments in the presence of such powerful beings, is a life shifting transformation that remains with you forever.
Kimmie, a retired standardbred, opened up her communication with us through the use of an oracle deck called ‘The Enchanted Map’ by Collette Baron Reid. Kimmie’s desire to share wisdom through these cards became so profound that she received her very own deck that was used at EVERY Drum Circle. Sometimes Kimmie wanted a card to be drawn for the group, and other times each person was to draw a card from the deck. When Kimmie was choosing a card for the group she would do so by giving a number. This number corresponded to one of the cards in the deck. Then the interpretation of the card was read outloud and we have always been in awe of Kimmie’s accuracy in the messages we were to receive.
Since we began these Circles, 3 new horses have arrived at the farm and it has been fascinating to witness how they interact, or not, during these gatherings. One of these horses is Hank, a 4 year old Belgian Draft horse. In our final gathering, Hank was so in tune with the drumming and the ceremony that he stood as close to us as he possibly could, within the limitations of the location of his paddock. He was focused on us and wanted to be a part of what we were doing. The pictures show how much he was enjoying the drumming. Hank is a great reminder that inner wisdom is not determined by physical age. This inner wisdom is not something we teach the horses to bring to us. This wisdom is within their DNA and given the space and honor to do so, they LOVE to share with us; a true, unique and heart felt experience of how much more the horses can bring to our relationship with them.
Do you play an instrument? An indigenous instrument perhaps? Many years ago I was contacted by someone who had had a life changing experience while on vacation, when he played his flute for horses at a local barn and was amazed at how much they loved listening to him play. He asked if he could come and play for Echoe and Chay (a friends horse). Echoe listened intently to the music as the man sat by a tree in the paddock and played his flute. Echoe wouldn’t approach but listened from a distance. When I checked in, Echoe told me the man wasn’t truly playing from the heart…….. I invited the man to sit in a different spot, and to play solely from the heart. The difference in the sound was incredible, and within a couple of minutes, Echoe had walked right up to him and stood in front of him taking in the vibration of the sound. Echoe was also validating that now this talented musician was playing from the heart.
We invite you to sit in Nature, or with your own animals, or at a horse barn if you have access to one. Bring your drum, flute, singing bowl……. And play….. from your heart…. And witness the interaction from the animals as they connect with you. When you show up heart first you are speaking the language of those beings whose energy and wisdom is far beyond humanity and this gives us the opportunity to be open and still enough to absorb the teachings we can receive from them.
As we close out 2023, a HUGE thank you to Katie, Sean and the horses on the farm for the magic they continue to share their love and messages every day. Our lives have been transformed and the gratitude for their willingness to give us these lessons, is immense. Sending love and honor to the land, elementals, guides and all those in the seen and unseen worlds who supported our sacred circle and brought their own unique messages. A heart felt thanks to all of you who showed up and sat in circle with us over the past 3 years – it has been a blessed experience.