Before we learned to be quiet, we sang. Before we learned to be small, we danced. Now the drum awakens what was never lost.
A ceremony to reclaim the joy of your ancient female lineage
There's a wild woman in your bloodline who remembers how to celebrate.
She lived before shame wrapped itself around female bodies, before joy became something we had to earn rather than something we were born carrying.
If you've been carrying everyone else's burdens while your own joy feels like a distant memory... if you know there's a wild woman inside you but she feels buried under endless to-do lists and other people's needs...
Your ancient mothers are calling across time.
They have something to show you - how it feels to be fully alive in a biological female body, how to move without apology, how to laugh medicine into the world.
Your ancient mothers remember
Women are awakening to a truth that lives in our bones: we were never meant to carry the world's pain without dancing our own celebration. Yet so many of us have forgotten how to access joy that doesn't need to be earned, that isn't performance, that doesn't require anyone's permission.
Perhaps you're carrying things that were never yours to carry - ancestral burdens that have become so familiar you've forgotten they're not actually yours. We've inherited layers of survival from generations who learned to be quiet, careful, small. Their strength carried us here, but their trauma need not define our capacity for wild, embodied celebration.
Before ‘civilisation’ taught women to dim their light, your female ancestors lived in sacred rhythm with Earth's cycles. Your pre-agricultural ancestors who danced under full moons, who celebrated their bleeding as sacred, who knew their bodies as altars - they're there to remind you: joy is your birthright.
This ceremony uses the deep heartbeat of the 40-inch foremother drum to carry you back through the mists of time, beyond recent trauma, to connect with the wild celebration spirit that flows in your ancient female lineage. Feel the drum's rhythm awakening joy in your very cells, calling you home to what was never lost.
“Absolutely loved the drumming circle! The energy was powerful, grounding, and yet uplifting. Ruth holds the space with so much heart and authenticity – it felt safe, wild, and joyful all at once. Drumming together was exactly what my body and soul needed. Highly recommend to any woman looking for connection, release, and rhythm!”
Your Journey
back to Wild Joy
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Creating ceremonial container with the foremother drum's heartbeat
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Drum-led meditation journeying back through generations to meet your wild ancestors
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Visualisation to connect with the free women who knew their bodies as sacred
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Ancient songs to awaken the celebratory spirit alive in your bloodline
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Move, drum, sing, and sound however your body wants to celebrate
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Place meaningful objects around the drum, sharing stories of ancestral joy
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Feel what ancestral medicine wants to come home with you - courage, celebration, fierceness, self-love…
You might wonder if you need drumming experience or if you're 'spiritual enough' for this work. The truth is, your body already knows these ancient rhythms.
Who this ceremony calls
This sacred work is held specifically for women walking in female bodies, honouring the bloodline mysteries we carry. This ceremony calls to women who:
Feel ready to move beyond healing trauma into celebrating their lineage
Crave authentic sisterhood and ritual connection
Are drawn to work with their ancient female ancestors
Want to reclaim joy as birthright rather than reward
Feel called to embody the wild celebration spirit of their lineage
Are open to drumming, movement, and vocal expression
Trust that their bodies carry ancient wisdom waiting to be awakened
You don't need previous experience with ancestral work, drumming, circle or ceremony.
You just need willingness to let your ancient mothers remind you how to celebrate being magnificently, wildly, unapologetically alive.
The Practical Details
When: 3.00pm - 5.30pm, Sunday 8 February 2026
Where: The Trinity Centre, Bristol
Investment: £28-38 depending on circumstances
10 super early birds until 2 October 2025
This ceremony complements trauma healing work but is not therapy. It is a celebration practice for women ready to embody the joy that is their birthright.
About Ruth,
your Space Holder
I never expected that drums - once symbols of division during my childhood Northern Ireland - would become the gateway to reclaiming joy in my ancestral lineage.
Growing up during the conflict, drums meant fear and separation. But life has a way of transforming what once wounded us into our greatest medicine. When chronic pain and fibromyalgia brought me to my knees, the drum found me. And through its ancient rhythms, I discovered something profound: my body remembered joy that existed long before recent trauma.
In my drum journeys, I often connect with an ancient medicine woman through the land - she comes from pre-agricultural times, bringing strength and wisdom that predates our modern wounds. Through her presence, I feel the courage to transform ancestral patterns and remember what my Celtic lineage truly holds: not just survival, but wild, embodied celebration.
My academic background in medieval history deepened my understanding of women's healing traditions - from Celtic seers to medieval herbalists like Hildegard of Bingen. These wise women knew what we're remembering: that our bodies are altars, our voices are medicine, and joy is our birthright.
For years now, I've been holding circles and ceremonies for women, weaving together sound therapy, somatic practices, and Celtic wisdom. Through drumming, we don't just heal trauma - we reclaim the celebration spirit that flows in our bloodlines.
This ancestral joy work emerged from my own journey back through time, beyond recent pain to the wild women who danced free. Now I guide others on this same journey home - to the joy that was never lost, only waiting to be remembered.
FAQs
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This ceremony is primarily for women who have drums and are ready to explore ancestral drumming. However, if you're a woman who feels called to this work but doesn't have a drum, you're absolutely welcome to join us. We have some drums available to borrow and rattles you can use. You can also simply move, dance, and sing with the rhythms - your voice and body are instruments too.
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Absolutely not. This ceremony is designed for all levels of experience, from complete beginners to seasoned drummers. Your body already knows these ancient rhythms. What matters is your readiness to remember, not your technical skill.
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Comfortable clothes for movement, a small token representing joy in your lineage (could be a flower, stone, or personal object), water, and your journal. If you have a drum, please bring it. If not, we have some available, alongside some rattles to borrow.
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This ceremony focuses on joy reclamation rather than trauma processing. While it can be deeply healing, it's not therapy. If you're currently in active trauma recovery, please check with your support system first to ensure this feels right for you at this time.
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Tears, laughter, and deep feeling are all welcome. We hold sacred space for whatever wants to emerge as you reconnect with your ancestral joy. Our group size and supportive environment help ensure everyone feels held and witnessed.
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Yes. The venue is on the first floor with lift access available. There is a car park with designated disabled parking spaces. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
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While we draw inspiration from ancestral traditions, our practices are grounded in the universal human experience of rhythm, movement, and celebration. You don't need any specific beliefs to participate or benefit from the ceremony.
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We create a supportive environment where everyone can participate at their own comfort level. Everything is an invitation and the most important thing for you to do is yo honour your own needs. Our group size and gentle approach help ease anxiety, and you're always welcome to take breaks or step back if needed.
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Drumming works by regulating the nervous system, activating the same brainwave patterns as deep meditation, and helping to release natural feel-good chemicals in the body. When combined with ancestral connection work, it helps us access joy and wisdom that exists beyond recent trauma patterns.
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Sharing is always optional. While we create space for those who wish to share their experiences, we completely respect everyone's boundaries. You're welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
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Please get in touch with Ruth who will be happy to answer your questions
