December 2002

Dear Drummers,

We are in the time of the winter solstice. One of the things that has
fascinated me for a long time has been the way the winter solstice has
become popular—and how we celebrate it. So often, the solstice is
celebrated as a return of the light, and as a meditative, quiet
experience, full of hope and renewal. Well, my impulses often go against
the grain, and I will once again this Friday.

In the Celtic wheel of the year, the winter solstice resides in the
direction of north, which is associated with battle. This has been a
very difficult direction for me to work with over the years, but it has
also been surprisingly powerful and rewarding. So, this month’s drum
will focus on the north, the winter solstice, and on battle. I will tell
you an incredibly strange and true story of the Benandante—a group of
16th century spiritual warriors from northern Italy.

This time of year is also associated with the reindeer—the primal
totem animal of Scandinavia. The reindeer is often viewed as the
dispenser of Grace. At the winter solstice, the Santa Figure comes to
give gifts to the people. He harnesses the power of the reindeer spirit
to accomplish his task. We will work with the reindeer as a spirit guide
to the north. In some shamanists view, the reindeer is the guide to the
spirit world, which is located to the north.

Of course, none of this should be taken too literally. In the work I do
with our group, we must always hold two things in tension: 1) that none
of this is real and 2) that all of this is real.

If you decide to stay for “Hour 2” I hope you will feel free to
choose your comfort level from the options below. As always, I never
want to force an experience on anyone, but I want to offer those who
seek it a chance to go deeply into an experience that combines the drum
with prayer and visioning.

Reindeer Options:

1) Some of you may want to participate as a drummer—supporting
the experience of others (a very important job).
2) Some may want to participate as a reflective exercise. For this,
I encourage you ask yourself what instant emotions and gut responses the
word “battle” brings up for you. You may ask yourself how you react
“in battle” and whether you would like to react differently. 
3) Some may want to participate with the perspective that the
spirit of the reindeer, in its guise as guide to the other world, can
enact a change on the inner, spiritual level that will affect the outer,
physical aspect of your life. To enter fully into this perspective, I
suggest that you spend several moments between now and Friday night
making quiet prayers to the reindeer spirit to provide you with a good
and clear journey to the north to find your gift and your weapon. It
will be your choice as to how much you accept—and employ in this
world—the advice or the information you gather from the journey to the
North.

See you on Friday.

Jaime

© 2002 Jaime Meyer

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