The Moon, Drums, Journeying and the energy of a space

One of my teachers once said, “Never hang your drums from your walls—it compromises the frames.” And for a long time, I honored that wisdom. But as life would have it, I live in a tiny house—where every square inch counts—and I’m not just a drum lover. I’m also a moon lover, a journeyer, an energy healing practitioner and a lover of the cosmos. A soul drawn to the rhythms of both earth and sky.

Recently, during a shamanic journey, I asked: “What do I need to do to shift the energy of my space?” I was shown something simple and powerful: take everything out of my meditation room and begin again. A clean slate.

In this vision, I saw my drums—yes, the very ones I was told not to hang—mounted on the wall in a graceful arc, mirroring the cycles of the moon. Not just as instruments, but as sacred symbols of what I hold dear: rhythm, ceremony, ritual, and the wisdom of the cosmos. I’m still in the process of arranging them, but the message was clear: minimize your “stuff” then place what you love in front of you. Let it inspire you. Let it shape the energy of the space.

Honoring this vision has become part of my daily ritual practice—a grounding moment that anchors me in presence, especially during these turbulent times. When the world feels chaotic or uncertain, I return to this space—to the drums, the moon phases, the stillness they reflect—and I reconnect. I remember and I practice a soul centering riutal.

You might be wondering: What is a shamanic journey?

To me, journey meditation isn’t about silencing the mind. It’s about engaging it while tuning into the wisdom of your soul, your spirit allies or cosmic council, softening into a state of deep listening, asking questions, and being open to the wisdom that shows up. You enter the journey with intention, asking to be guided. And sometimes, what you’re shown is a wall full of drums, singing in the pattern of moon cycles.

Curious about the journey? Here's a quick start:

1. Prepare Your Space Create a space that feels energetically clean and protected. Light a candle, burn sage or palo santo, and call in your spiritual allies/cosmic council—guides, ancestors, animal spirits, or the elements. You might want to lay down a blanket, hold a sacred object, or place crystals around you. Set a specific intention: journeying for Healing, insight, connection?

2. Shift Your State of Awareness Begin with rhythmic breathwork. Inhale slowly through the nose, exhale through the mouth, and repeat until your body softens and your mind becomes still. You may choose to use a drumbeat, rattle, or shamanic playlist to induce a trance-like theta state. Eyes closed, heart open. You may experience sight, sound, body shifts, or nothing at all. 

3. Enter the Journey Imagine yourself standing at the entrance to a portal—perhaps a tree, cave, river, or flame. Let it transport you to the other realms, maybe the Lower, Middle, or Upper World, depending on your intention. Trust what comes, even if it seems symbolic or abstract. You might meet spirit guides, receive messages, or witness a healing narrative. You might experience a sense of “nothingness”.  There’s magic in the void, too! Let the journey unfold.

4. Return & Anchor When you feel complete, thank the beings who walked with you. Retrace your path in your minds eye and come back to the waking world slowly—wiggle fingers and toes, open your eyes. Ground yourself by drinking water, journaling what you saw, or placing your hands on the Earth. It helps seal the journey.

5. Reflect & Integrate Shamanic journeys reveal wisdom, but that wisdom needs a vessel. Write your insights. What symbols appeared? Did you feel shifts in your body or emotions? Was their a ritual you saw? Consider drawing your vision or crafting a ritual to integrate the guidance you received into everyday life.

My space is still evolving. Just like the moon. Just like me. But for now, I’m listening—letting my love for rhythm (the drum and rattles), journeying, ritual and the cosmos guide me home, one heartbeat at a time.

Want to know more about the journey meditation practice and ritual?

Visit my website, or click HERE for a FREE 30 day journey practice —complete with drumming and rattling MP3s to support your own sacred exploration. And, as always, visit my sessions page and schedule your own sessions today!