In 2001, "Mother" entered our lives. Gary
was gifted with a phenomenal drum, hand made by a friend in Wisconsin.
She was introduced to the world in the midst of a wilderness workshop
Gary and Debbie were facilitating. Debbie had kept everyone down
by the fire at the sweat lodge and several of the men had left
to "get supplies". Through the darkness, those at the
fire could hear drumming. Were they hearing the Ancestors enjoying
our ceremony? As they looked around, they could begin to see a
small light, as the men made a processional through the darkness
beating on the drum as they approached. What an outstanding sight!
It was with this vision of ancient times that Mother was born
into her role as the focal point of group gatherings. Mother was
carefully transported home to Phoenix and has been the center
of many circles and ceremonies, including monthly drum circles
that Gary and Debbie host.
After some time in the Gent household, Mother began
to reveal another purpose to Debbie. The seed was planted that
a CD was to be born. As this seed began to grow, Debbie was gifted
with the vision to create the CD. After searching for someone
who understood Shamanic drumming to assist with the recording,
a young recording arts student, James Lynch, joined their drum
circle, and all the components for completion of the vision were
gathered together. On December 20, 2003, Mother was transported
to the recording studio and with Gary and Debbie stroking the
drum, James recording and Spirit over looking the whole process
the first and final recording was born.
As this vision came to fruition, it brought more
light to an old vision that Gary and Debbie have carried since
they stewarded their acreage in Oregon. They have had a vision
of building a retreat - a place to hold wilderness workshops,
to provide a space for people to make a connection with Mother
Earth, and a place to bring other teachers to gift their teachings.
So, in true tradition of the Circle of Life, the completion of
one vision began the next.
Currently, Gary and Debbie are looking for property
in Southern Oregon, near Grants Pass, for the retreat.
