The ceremony at Squam Lake was held at 6:30 PM on August 11. The drum
called together 35 people who came and participated in the ceremony. The
drum and everyone in attendance was smudged. The four directions were
opened bringing in guidance from power animals and all parts of nature -
earth, stars, universe and particularly the wind, trees, water, mountains of
the place on which we stood. Recognition was given to each of us and to
bring back all creative energies from past accomplishments. The story of the
World Drum and its founders and its journey was relayed as the fire blazed
in front of us. The drum was carried around the circle and its heart beat
came close to everyone both in the front and in the back.
Then everyone had a chance to play the drum. 6 or 7 drummers played their
own drums as the World Drum went around the circle. Messages were given,
stories told, poems recited amidst drumming, singing and dancing. There was
a feeling of comfort, peace, unity and joy.

The message from Windwalker, Eagle Feather and White Buffalo Wolf Woman was
read. "Creator, Grandfather, We ask your blessings on this drum and all
these people, as they pray for the Sacred Earth Mother, that the Grandmother
might be healed.

We call our relations, from the clans of the creatures, plants, stones,
waters, thunderers, to send blessings upon this drum and all those that
touch it in a sacred manner.

Creator, Earth Mother, all you good relations in the East, where life
begins, in the South, where the sun warms us and makes things grow, in the
West, where we are old, and in the North, were lives the cold that brings
rebirth, we call you asking that you bless this drum and all these people.
From our relations the Thunderers, the Above clans, the Below clans the
within clans, we ask your good blessings.

We ask for prayers that will heal our sky, the air. We ask for prayers that
will heal our waters, our water relatives. We ask for prayers for the stone
people. We ask for prayers for the animals of the Earth, Air, Waters, for
life in balance in their worlds.

We ask prayers for the humans from all the corners of the world, that they
may join as one, around this Drum and ever after.

We send our most powerful prayers to this Sacred World Drum, to all who see
it, touch it, pray with it, drum it, that their lives may be happier and
more spiritual. We send our most powerful prayers, that all Creatures,
Plants, stones, waters in its vicinity will be healed.
We have spoken, Windwalker, Eagle Feather, White Buffalo Wolf Woman.

From Carole:

I stand naked before God
In the sun and the wind,
Honoring my Mother Earth
And all her creatures.
I heal by the power
Of
My thoughts and words.
I listen to the plant spirits
Who long to heal us.
I am Truth.
I am Unconditional Love.
I am the breath
Of
Every living creatue.
My joy know no bounds.

From Pat:

Love is above me
Love is beneath me
Love is beside me
Love is within me

From Sarah:

Let go, open your heart, unfold your spiritual sails, open your angelic
wings and soar on the wind.
Enjoy the infinite.

From Angella:

An exercise to unite earth, self, and universe.

The ceremony closed by sending love and good intentions our into the world
for healing.

Following the ceremony, there was a pot luck supper and then a meteor
shower. A perfect way to end such a wondrous occasion.

On August 10th the World Drum went to Reading, Massachusetts where many
people from the Arc of East Middlesex had the chance to play and hold the
drum. The ARC is a non profit for people with intellectual and physical
disabilities. I was blessed to play the drum for them and see the
wonderment in their faces as they held and played the drum. They gave a
turquoise stone that was part of their jewellry making program to go with
the Drum.

On August 12th the World Drum was part of a Unitarian Universalist meeting
where 100 people attended.

Thank you people behind The World Drum Project, for all you have done in creating this project and keeping
it going. I Feel that part of the drum will be with me. It was one of the
most powerful objects I have ever encountered. I meditated deeply with it
while it was here. Many people spoke of its power to bring people of all
faiths, colors, economic and ethnic backgrounds together in peace and joy
and unity.

Thank you from my heart.

Blessings to you for You Walk in Beauty.

Sharon