Northern NSW Flute Circle

Winter Update

2009-06-20T13:59:00.015+10:00

Dear Circle Friends,

I thought I would take this rainy day opportunity to post a general update, keeping the circle energy flowing and to keep us all warm with current circle news.

The circle is now 1 year old (Horray !!) and the next circle will serve as our Birthday celebration. The circle will be in September and I am really looking forward to that. Please let me know your suggestions and feelings for a outdoor venue for this next and very important gathering. I have invited Samjana to play at this celebration for us.

I am sorry to mention the winter circle which I had hoped to plan for the winter solstice has been canceled and the weather lately in the Northern Rivers has been unsupporting for any kind of outdoor circle. As the last years one was such a great time then we must make it top priority to get together around a warm fire for next year.

Our last circle in late March was such a great success even though the weather scared many off and shows that circles up in the national parks are great fun. It was a very appropriate place up there in the Border Rangers immersed in an ancient lost world of exquisite nature.

The flute raffle was drawn at the last circle and I have since donated the $275 to two separate organisations. Hands With Hands, the orphanage in Africa was given $195 and WRAP Wildlife Rehabilitation And Protection, an organisation in Victoria who are working to rehabilitate Victoria's bushfire affected wildlife areas were given $80. I figured the wildlife needed some suport and chose this organisation over the Red Cross Bushfire appeal as it has already generated in excess of 300 million. This is all thanks to our support and that of our American friends who conributed to raffle by donating CD's and signing the flute.

We are now starting a new raffle and I extend the challenge to anyone who has any main prize to donate to the cause. The prize can be goods, services, or cash for us to obtain a good prize. I am donating a copy of my CD to the raffle as a runner up prize. All ideas are welcomed and as soon as we have the prizes secured then I will let everyone know so you can buy tickets. We need new charities too and it would be really great to raise lots more money this time.

The circles website is still under construction and it is finding the time that has been the problem, I'll keep you all posted as things develop here. Thanks again to Beau Raven for with all his help.

If any Brisbaneites want to catch up I'll be at the Mind Body Spirit Festival at the RNA showgrounds from Friday to Sunday 26-28th June, and doing stage performances on the Saturday 12pm and Sunday at 11.30 am, I have a whole pile of free admission tickets that will save you $16 so if you want to come along and get in free just call me on my mobile when you arrive at the door. 0429 832 071 Please don't call me just before the performance time, try to make it an hour earlier.

Well that's it for now. I look forward to hearing or catching up with you all soon.

Blessings on the journey

Matt

A Beautiful Autumn Circle

2009-03-31T12:28:00.010+11:00

Connecting to nature and each other through nature.

This was a very special weekend in the rainforrest complete with cleansing rains during the drum making workshop which was a blessing and made the rainforrest experience all the more real. The sun came out and cleansed us on the Sunday also and to shine light on us and the circle.
I wont say a whole lot as I have included a bunch of pics which say much more. I would like to thank all those who participated in the workshops and all those who braved the uncertain weather to be part of the group. We had a fantastic bonding and experience together and the medicine of us joining together to create sacred space and medicine tools to heal ourselves and our deer mother was truly a powerful experience I and surely all will never forget. A big thank you to Morning Star for her sharing her wisdom and knowledge with us and Mark Webb for volunteering to be a helper through the weekend. I realise the journey of this circle is about the joining of our one family in love and peace, more than ever when we come together like this. Times of separation and segregation amongst us will soon be a thing of the past, that's why gatherings like this are so important and powerful.

The raffle bowl with all the tickets was smudged and drummed and the prayer that those who would get the most out of and appreciate the most would be the new carriers. Thanks for all your support with the raffle, the raffle raised $270 and the money will shortly go to Hands With Hands and the Australian Bush Fire Appeal. As suggested by people on the day. Now I hand it over to anyone who can help with our next fundrasier by keeping thier ears peeled for a great prize that they can help find or manifest, or a suggestion of a new charity. Also the circle needs your support in many other ways small or large, this helps make it flow and what it is so if you can help in any way let me know. Always interested to hear your ideas.

The winners were;
First Prize, the Flute I made and took to 2006 INAFA convention where it was Autographed - Walter Smith
Second Prize, Autographed R. Carlos Nakai CD - Eve Glimma
Third Prize, Autographed Garry Strousos CD - Samantha Hyde
Fourth Prize, Matt Shooting Star CD - Celia Cox

Casey whittling his flute blank.

Matt demonstrating the whittling technique.

Drew carving his flute.

Demonstrating the planing of excess material.

Demonstrating the tuning method with specialised hot poker tools to burn out holes. A flute contains all elements. The tree grows in the earth and needs water, it makes air and you breathe the air and blow it in your flute, the sun and hole burning process bring the element of fire to the flute. The flute and many sound instruments are so healing to our bodies because we are made up of more than 70 % water and sound travels 5 times faster through water than through air. The flute is a very grounding and centering instrument and in a world of it's own.

Pre-softening the skins in the misty rain early on the Saturday Morning. These are thick Australian Fallow Deer hides

Then we head here to the sacred Brindle Creek to do ceremony on the skins and begin our journey with our drum and the connection with the earth. We left the skins here to soak while the group returned to camp to start their rattles, and returned later to collect the skins.

We pick up rocks and place them under our left shoulder connecting our life force our DNA and spirit with the skins and the running waters of the creek, and say our prayers to our skins, affirming our intentions for our healing and journey.

The cedar hoops act as a template to cut the heads out of the hide.

Morning Star explaining the best way to cut the skins.

Michael and Jai (The Drum Brothers) share and cut the drum heads from the Fallow Deer hides.

Morning Star showing Michael and Moocha how to start the strapping weave of the drum.

Jai stretching his strapping.

Matt cutting his strapping.

Moocha weaving her medicine into the drum.

Jai weaving his medicine.

Moocha enjoying the journey and excited.

Michael also enjoying the feelings of making his first drum and entertained by Morning Star's Stories and deep knowledge of the drum.

Morning Star teaches the kids to make medicine bags inside the warm fire placed shelter.

Moocha's tribe proudly display their finished bags.

The group with their finished flutes, rattles and drums.

Matt explaining the story of the raffle flute and how it was created.

Matt decides to play the flute, a song to call up it's new carrier and journey.

Tickets smudged and drummed with the prayer that may those who will appreciate and get the most out of them win the raffle items.

Morning Star drawing the flute.

The flute circle, Matt sharing flute wisdom and story with the group..

The drum circle, Morning Star explaining the stories of the drum. The drum she is holding is the first drum I made with her, which has been a great friend.

After this we did a talking stick ceremony together to share our thoughts and feelings. Then end in a long group hug. Before the rain moves us back under cover we sing a few songs together and continue under shelter.

Blessings on the journey

Matt

Flute And Drum Circle, Workshops, Camp Out In The Border Ranges NP Saturday And Sunday 28-29 March 2009

2009-03-08T22:58:00.005+11:00

Hi beautiful beings,

I am excited to welcome you to a Flute and Drum Circle and camp out at the end of this month in the amazing Border Ranges National Park.

View from Blackbutt Lookout towards Mount Warning, early morning after rain.

A favorite place of mine has always been the Border rangers since I moved to this area over 10 years ago. I recently visited there in early January for a camp out and sacred ceremony with two special friends. After one of the busiest years endings mostly due to a last minute rush on flute orders, and flute stock preparations for, and also attending my 3 late December and January festivals, I was totally exhausted and in some serious need of a nature get away. Coincidentally as I was preparing to go my friend called and told me he and another friend were interested to go also. I noticed after returning home late the next day that it felt like I had been gone for many days such was the effect this ancient world rainforest and it's endangered wildlife energy had on me. I'm sure our healing ceremony had something to do with that too. I decided then this would be the place for the next flute gathering such is it's immense beauty, wildlife and flora, creeks, and not to mention the bush walks etc. The camp ground where we will be is Forrest Tops on the Tweed Valley Scenic Drive, a gravel road that stretches 45 km from Barkers Vale just off the Kyogle Murwillumbah Rd to Sheep Station Creek near Wiangree North of Kyogle. We have great amenities at Forrest Tops such as a large open walled cabin with benches a fireplace and sit down tables, toilet and lovely shady and flat grassy spaces for us to camp and for the workshops on the Saturday.

The flute and drum circle will be held on the Sunday the 29th March at 1.30pm, Please come along early and we will share a communal lunch, so please bring something to contribute, meat or veg but veg preferred.

We welcome all, whether you play the flute or medicine drum or not is not really important. Knowing that you are all welcomed to come, enjoy and experience being part of this group and gathering is what is important. Bring along indigenous percussion instruments and flutes if you have them. Bring any other things you may need such as drinking water, chair, blanket and cushions, cameras, etc. I look forward to sharing a special afternoon with you. I will also give a free group lesson just before the circle if any one wants me to share a few playing tips. I'll have a few nice flutes for sale as usual so please ask me before hand if you are interested in seeing flutes on the day and I can bring keys that suit your taste.

Now this circle, in keeping with the pattern of always doing something different and nowhere near identical to the last, has a very special surprise. We are blessed to be joined by Morning Star, a special friend of mine who's journey for most of her life has been learning and teaching the crafting of sacred medicine tools and their customs handed down to her from many traditional indigenous peoples throughout the world. She now teaches and tours through the UK, Europe and USA and as she does she learns more amazing knowledge and is devoted to keeping it alive. I surport her work and dedication and her depth of understanding when it comes to Animal Medicine often suprises me. Morning Star has been creating from roadkill, from leather and making medicine tools for over 35 years and teaching this skill for 17 years. She has spent the last 5 years on the road, sharing these skills with others. She traveled with the 7 foot Alaskan Grandmother Drum from Alaska to Guatemala in 2006/7 and returned to the USA in May 2008, traveling 8,000 miles overland promoting her new book - 'Making Medicine Tools & Ceremonial Art' and teaching workshops in 6 US states, plus traveling with 3 snake head medicine items to the planetary gateways in 2008. She is preparing to leave OZ again late April for Philadelphia to further promote her work overseas. This is a rare opportunity to learn from Australian Medicine Woman and Earth Mother 'Morning Star' before she leaves OZ. she has expressed her desire to join us and I am very happy to welcome her to come and share with us. For more info visit her website www.animalspiritmedicine.webs.com
Morning Star will have copies of her book for sale as well as some of her amazingly crafted smudge fans, medicine rattles, pouches and other interesting things from her journey.

I too will be sharing my skills as a flute maker with a new workshop I have created to make flutes affordable and easy to craft for those who don't want to do my intensive beginners course over 2 days at a greater cost. The flutes will be carved and in the old Grandfather style which is one of may favorite styles and feels for the Native American Flute. This style has been very popular and I am always short of them because of that. So I look forward to introducing new people to this amazing flute and healing tool through this workshop then we can share and enjoy the afternoon together with the others present and you may want to be part of both workshops. These workshops will be the day prior to the Flute Circle and separate to but sponsored by the flute circle. The flute circle is a donation only gathering whereas the workshops are pay to participate. All the details for the workshops will be in a word doc that I will mail out to the flute circle email data base, if you want a copy then please email me here (email address at top of page). On the Saturday evening after dinner we will have a sing along and ceremony which all are welcome to join. It is fine for people to arrive and camp from the Friday evening onwards even if you are not taking part in the workshops as there is so much to see and do besides relax. You may even decide to camp elsewhere in the park then move to Forrest Tops for Saturday night. I'll be camping from Friday arvo and I'm sure others will also.

Some more pics of the sights around the park below. This park was made world heritage listed by the Keeting Labour Government which means it will never again be logged, prior to that many parts were sadly logged, however as it is such high and rugged country much of it was off limits to loggers. This NP is habitat to many endangered species. There is a place called the lost world between the boarder rangers and Lamington NP and it is virgin old growth Rain Forrest, one of the last large pockets left in NNSW, there are many parts of the park that are also virgin RF. There are Red Cedar, Antarctic Beech, Teak, Rosewood and numerous other species of trees which are many thousands of years old. Bushwalks take you right past them. The leaf shapes of the under vegitation, the vines and the moss growing on everything make you feel like you are in an ancient world, not to mention the cool brese and the clouds swirling meters overhead bring thier own enchantment.

Mt Warning from the Pinnacle Lookout.

Bar Mountain (Centre) from the Pinnacle Lookout.

The very Sacred Brindle Creek in the Border Rangers NP, walking distance from our camp at Forrest Tops. Pic Paul Daley.

Flute in nature, another NP flute and healing journey at Yuriguir NP.

Morning Star starting the web on a Medicine Drum, MBS Syd. 2008.

Morning Star making the cross handle and the tightening mechanism of the Medicine Drum.

Matt and Morning Star at the Sydney MBS 2008, sharing stand space together.

We must pay the required fees to NSW NPWS, It's $5.00 per night plus a onnce only cost to take a veichle into the park of $9.00. See the NPWS website for details about the park. The map is not the greatest but these directions will help, it does show clearly where Forrest Tops is and you can see the road, I suggest all people to make a printout from Google Maps that way you will not get lost, Directions are simple. I will send you the details of the best route from where you are so please let me know where you are coming from when you reply. The roads are good but expect well maintained dirt roads all the way to the camp ground once you leave the main road, the way via Kyogle is nearly mostly bitumen though. Details about the Border Ranges

Wet weather arrangements will see us move to a nearby camp ground with more cabins, Sheep Station Creek. Rain, Hail or shine we will have no problems just pack what you need to suit the conditions. If you are coming please put all your contact details including your Mobile No. in the reply email, so I can contact you if there is a last minute change. It always is great to know exactly how many people intend to come so please give us some notice.

All in all we should be well taken care of with the conditions and it's a really beautiful time of year to be up there. I look forward to seeing you when you arrive. Please contact me if you have any questions at all. Matt - 02 66 33 3314 Mobile: 0429 832 071 or email me here.

Expect a weekend of relaxation, learning, achievement and of course lots of love

See you there

Matt

An Awesome November Gathering

2008-12-08T18:55:00.000+11:00

A big thanks to everybody who joined the Flute Circle, Fire Circle, and Mother Gaia Spiral gathering in November at my property peace Of Eden near Kyogle, it really was a special and sacred gathering. All had an awesome time together and there was a real sense of connection and family among the group. I'd like to extend an extra special thanks to the earthFIRE Australia Crew - Julieanne and Jimmi who came from far afield to share their passion of earthFIRE here at Peace Of Eden. Also a very special thank you to Christiana, Elise and Sarah for bringing their energy, medicine, essences and passion to create an awesome and transformational spiral with some amazing energy that is still building too I might add. A big thanks also to Kauri, Francesca, Lotar, Manella and Phill for their huge input. You all helped to make it what it was and I thank you from the deepest recesses of my heart, that goes to everyone who came and those who did not come but were with us in spirit. I personally feel a lot was learned and therefore healed with the whole experience in different ways obviously for us all but also as one Earth family,, and despite being a little worn out before it started it was all as it was meant to be. Manny Manny thanks for what we created, maybe we can organise something similar for November this year. Also another thank you to all those who expressed their gratitude and appreciation for my contribution to the gathering and organising and those also who donated financially to help us cover the costs.

Kauri makes nori rolls on the Friday night with the help of Francesca, Yumy!!!

The group moving down to towards the flute circle on the Saturday after the opening circle and introductions form Julianne and Jimmi of earthFIRE.

Me talking about the Flute has changed my life at the Flute Circle. Photo by Manuella.

Manulla and Phill, and lovely lady in the maroon top???, LOL Please forgive my memory.

Kauri playing a beautiful song

Derik and his friend playing

I have been asked by Julieanne to remind all those who were here on the weekend in November and anyone related to the flute circle at all who would like to know more about earthFire Australia to visit the website and subscribe to their Monthly Newsletter.

Many Blessings On Our Journeys, Matt

EarthFIRE and Flute Circle Sacred Gathering November 22-23 2008

2008-11-02T09:01:00.000+11:00

In early September I met Julieanne of EarthFire Australia at a festival near Sydney when she came and bought one of my flutes. I was inspired by their vision of the Fire Circle, something that has been since the beginning of time but is quite rare these days. I decided to talk more with Julianne and invited her to share their vision and energy at a gathering up here in the Northern Rivers and Flute Circle friends. The property Peace Of Eden, a 35 acre bush retreat, 15 mins from kyogle, will be the venue for this gathering.

Here are a few pic's from Peace Of Eden. There is an abundance of wallabies and bird life. Bush and grassland and lovely hills to walk if you feel strong. Access to a creek also. Shaded areas for camping. The grassland will all be freshly cut for the weekend.

Mother with Joey in pouch.

Baby Joey only a week or two out of the pouch, the grow really fast.

Joey and mum.

Sun setting over western ridge of the Blackhorse valley, pic taken from site where circle will be.

Below is the flyer with all the information in it. Email me and I can send you a copy if you are interested or just copy it here into a word file. I Look forward to the weekend very much indeed. Blessings Matt.

Sacred Fire Circle Gathering
November 22-23

The Vision

Northern rivers flute circle are joining with earthFIRE Australia to create a special and unique fire circle gathering at Peace Of Eden, a lovely bush property west of Kyogle for the weekend of 22-23 November. Both are non profit community groups and share similar visions of creating gatherings for people to come into their power, co-create and share amazing energy and ritual together in sacred space. This will be a fantastic way to celebrate, what has been a very abundant year in terms of the growth and awakening of humanity, and to honor all our relations.

We come together to experience the primal beauty of a fire circle, to witness, drum dance, and serve as we are drawn. Here we can let go of the every day world and be ourselves, have fun, connect with eachother, go into ourselves and experience the moment.

We start with the intention to honour and respect the highest vision of community, the Earth Mother and ourselves. What happens after that is up to us. It is through the sharing of our gifts that the magic of the circle blossoms. The fire circle is co-created through the pathways of music (drums, didge, crystal bowls, gongs and chimes, flutes, temple bells, berimbau, mbiras, mouth harps, conch shells, shruti boxes, rattles and rain and clap sticks etc) voice (chant, toning, spoken word), dance and seva (serving each other with a compassionate heart).

We ask that you seek to arrive for the opening circle at 12 midday on Saturday. Bring lunch to share. During the afternoon you will have time to meet kindred spirits, commune with nature, walk the magical Mother Gaia Spiral, experience flute circle and medicine. Learn about the fire circle pathways. There will be time to rest and prepare your energy for the circle after we share a yummy organic dinner and chai. We will gather in sacred ceremony around the fire at midnight and co-create through the pathways of music, dance, voice and seva as we are drawn till dawn.

Everyone is welcome to camp from Friday afternoon onwards. We also welcome people who wish to offer their services by supporting setup and/or pack up. You are also invited to offer up your gifts…these might be body art, fire twirling, cooking or equipment (torches & oil)…whatever you are happy to share.

Honoring Sacred Space
In order to connect deeply and honour our highest vision, earthFIRE and Flute Circle gatherings are alcohol and drug free. Bring your intention to honour Mother Gaia and each other with love and respect.

Donations
Donations are welcomed to help cover the expenses of earthFIRE’s travel from and back to Sydney, dinner and chai, oil for torches, and preparing the property. (Around $30 would be appreciated).

Registration and Enquiries
Register for the gathering or enquire by emailing Matt northernnswflutecircle@gmail.com
02 6633 3314. Or Julieanne earthfireaustralia@yahoo.com.au 0408 060 266, we’ll send you a map and directions on how to find Peace of Eden from north south east or west. Also suggestions on what to bring.

You can read up on fire circles on the earthFIRE website www.earthfireaustralia.org or ring Julieanne 0408 060266 or email earthfireaustralia@yahoo.com.au
To find out more about the northern rivers flute circle http://northernnswflutecircle.blogspot.com

Please pass on or forward this flyer to your family, friends or whoever may be interested.

My Trip To America. Part 6 - A day in Taipei

2008-11-01T06:52:00.000+11:00

Arriving in Taipei, Taiwan at 5.30 am with no sleep and 12 hours of jet lag after my flight from LA. I stumbled to the information counter running on pure adrenalin and quite dehydrated and malnourished from the minimal food and beverage served on the flight. The lady behind the desk was really helpful. They offered free tours of the city for the passengers who were in transit and as my flight would be leaving at 8.30 PM I had plenty of time for a day tour of the city but was keen to be my own guide and director. "Good Morning, Where can I buy professional Chinese Flutes and other musical instruments?" A quick search and she had a few places and wrote them on a piece of paper and then marked the subway stations on a map for me. Great start I thought. I then made my way around the airport to the bus terminal to board a bus to the city. About 40 Min's later I boarded a bus bound for a main subway station near the city. And off I went on my search for some nice Chinese flutes, particularly the Xiao which my friend Sahayak recently introduced me to. I board a train and make my way to a part of the city that I was told to go on the map by the lady. A long walk from the station I find the street and walk up and down the street twice and there is nothing but shops selling wedding dresses so after finding a nice fruit shop on a side street and buying huge mangoes and smearing them allover my bearded face in an attempt to sufficiently nourish myself, I decide to head back to the station but find myself curious about this interesting building on the opposite side of the street. I go to explore and find out what it is, I assume it's a temple. But it's actually an art gallery and museum.

Gates to Museum

From gates you then walk to the entrance, amazing building inside and out.

Inside I find a pottery and art exhibition, but with limited time I rush myself through feeling that it would be great to have more time to spare and do it more slowly. I snap a few pics of the pottery.

Pottery display.

Big and small Blow Fish.

Interesting cracked Pot

Nice piece, a house in the Chinese style.

By now its really warming into a humid day that feels like a sauna. So I head back off to the station where I somehow lose the details of where the other shops are located. Well time is ticking away now and its 11.30, frustration and disparity tempt me to feed them but I refuse and with a positive attitude and intuitive guidance of the Great Spirits powerful homing device, I decide to head a few stops back up the line to find a big famous and expensive department store I am told by a lady at the Museum sell musical instruments, maybe someone can steer me in the right direction there. I find myself there a half hour later. I ask at the information desk. No sorry Sir we don't sell flutes here. OK well where might I find professional quality Xiao please. The lady says please wait and very kindly calls someone on the phone and comes back to me with a positive response, not far away apparently and draws me a map. Great this is exhausting and realising my huge mistake of wearing Levi Jeans and a thick hemp T Shirt which is literally stuck to me now in the highly humid weather of Asia, I again set off on the search. I locate the rough area and walk into a camera shop for help with the directions, the man shakes his head with confusion and walks outside, I follow then he smiles and points to a doorway to a building. Upon approaching I see a sign with all these lovely instruments and flutes on it. Feeling relief as I am now in the right place and moments from looking at some real Xiao's I proceed up the lift and open a door into a bright Air conditioned room. I greet a Man a d a lady both with warm smiles and friendly personalities. It turns out I have found the best maker of Xiao, Shakuhachi, Chinese Gourd Flutes, and many other Chinese flutes and wind instruments Lin Ku-Jen. Lin is the Director of The Chin Yuan Chinese Orchestra.The lady I mentioned Lydia is a teacher at the shop which is also the location of Lin's workshop where he makes the flutes. Lydia I believe plays in the Orchestra also.

I am very impressed by the quality of his flutes and stay for some time talking and playing the flutes.They are very welcoming and honoured to have another flute maker present from another part of the world. I ask to have him finish a flute I chose that needs only fine tuning and signing and he happily does then plays a song with Lydia who is more than happy to demonstrate for the camera some of her playing. See the YouTube video here that I made of Lin and Lydia playing together. Coming soon.

visit the channel to see more flute videos.

Matt and Lin meet, Lin passionately demonstrates his love and skill for the end blown Xiao and and other Asian flutes he makes like the Sahkuhachi and many others.

Lin Playing the super long Xiao, way too big for me!

Quite impressed in the presence of another master.

Lydia, Matt and Lin

Lydia Plays the Pipa and shows the skills she has acquired in some thirty years of study with this instrument. More Info on the Pipa and all the Chinese Stringed instruments here.

Chinese Gourd flute.

Xiao and Transverse Chinese style flutes.

Chinese String Instruments.

Stock of Xiao and Shakuhachi made by Lin

If you are considering buying a Xiao or any other Chinese instruments Please contact me for Lin's contact details, I certainly recommend the high quality of his instruments and his expertise in this field. Visit Lin's Website here.

More Info on the various Chinese flutes.

Lin's son then takes me to a near by vegan reaturant called love where I buy beautifully prepared vegan food that strangely for me is made from tofu to resemble all different kinds of meat. Isn't that why I became vegan! So hungry I hardly care, I load up on protein before jumping in a taxi to Taiwan's tool shop district to buy woodworking tools to bring back to Australia. I make it back to the Airport just in time. What a great day. Looking forward to a rest on the plane, before I arrive in Australia at 7 am, wow no darkness since I left LA. Thanks China Airlines for the Taipei stop over experience. Thanks Lin and Lydia for your friendliness and sharing your knowledge and music with me.

My Trip To America Part 5 - Apprentice to Guillermo

2008-10-29T20:39:00.000+11:00

I had, since embarking on my flute making journey some years ago, decided that it would be great to spend time with Native makers as well as non Native makers. Earlier this year I met a Native American Man Named Dallen, a friend of Guillermo's, and another man at one of my shows in Sydney, Daniel who both recommended Guillermo. I felt Great Spirit was trying to tell me something as this was seeming coincidental. Then when in the states attending the INAFA convention, I mentioned to my friend Anne, who connected me with Guillermo personally. I called him up and mentioned my experience as a flute maker and my vision, he then welcomed me to visit his workshop outside of Orange County in California and asked if I wanted to apprentice as he had a lot of work to get through, as shows he was doing fortnightly were depleting his stock. Well I jumped at the offer.

I arrived to be greeted by Nash who was one of his many previous apprentices and waited a few days for Guillermo and Chris and his two daughters to return from Washington where they had been doing a high level Art Show Spokane.

After helping them unload their veichle, we got right down to work refinishing most of his stock that had been handled. A light sand and a touch up. Then rested for the next day.
Of some blanks that were ready I started turning them on the lathe to Guillermos specs, then we continued by preparing some Hi D flutes as the had nearly sold out and Guillermo likes to gift them to children who want one But who's parents cant part with the cash.

The property was in a valley which was particularly beautiful besides having abundant bird life and a creek running behind the workshop but had recently been burnt in a bush fire.

Guillermo is a Tarnscan Indian and was born in Mexico but has lived in California since he was 1 year old. He is an amazing multi talented craftsman and artist. Guillermo's flute making journey began over 20 years ago as he re-connected with his native Tarnscan heritage and began making flutes of wood and clay. Guillermo was fortunate to apprentice under master flute maker and player, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl, who unlocked the secrets to these Pre-Hispanic, (Pre-Columbus) instruments for him. Xavier Guillermo, Xavier, and other artists lived together on a rural farm turned into an large art studio. He learned to carve there from another teacher who's name I forgotten.

Guillermo's style of flute making is very unique but has many influences form Mayan and Aztec art.

Guillermo has appeared in two PBS documentaries including his latest effort "Cross Roads", with Robert Tree Cody. He has also played his instruments on 2 NAMMY nominated CD's and his flutes have been heard on 15 other artist' releases. He now collaborates with Hiroki Okano of Japan, and Nigel Shaw of England, collectively known as Bamboo Cedar Oak, and have recorded two albums together. Songs Of Our Grandfathers and their first release self titled bamboo cedar Oak.

Nashteveewa, or Nash for short, is a previous apprentice that Guillermo taught to make all the old Pre Hispanic clay flutes that he used to make, before handing the craft on to Nash. Guillermo now focuses on mainly Northern and some Central American style wooden flutes and drums.

Before firing.
Amazing work Nash. thankyou for the connection and look forward to reconnecting soon.

The Kiln after firing. Nashes clay flutes and ocarinas are some of the highest quality and I highly recomend them. He is also a beautiful and gentle soul with amazing energy.

More info and pictures of Nashtevewa's different Flutes and ocarinas

Me turning on the lathe.

Some C and Low B Flutes I made with wood gifted to me by Guillermo.
Thank You for your gift. You know I have dreamed of using this wood. Canary Wood, Purple Heart, Paduk, Peruvian Walnut, Wenge, Juniper and Figured Maple.

A batch of drum beaters we made together, I did the sticks on the lathe and helped sew up the heads now Guillermo packs them with buffalo hair and then we wrap them together. Not many do it like this. guillermo's Drums and beaters are some of the best in the world.

Some Lod Drones I made at Guillermo's with gifted wood. Thanks again. I loved the great workshop too.

Flutes I made before I left Australia to sell in the States. Two Queensland Maple and a Australian Rosewood in the centre Inlaid with a mixture Malachite, Chrisicola, Azurite and Calcite. The lower one is inlaid with Sacred Pipestone.

A Dm flute I was working on to gift to a freind.

My worn out hands, the colour is from the oils in the timber and the redness from friction burns from sanding on the lathe. I shrared a few tricks with guillermo like, cork sanding blocks for plane sanding on the lathe ( strangely not available in the states so we made our own) and also showed him a new flute mount system for th head stock (drive) end of the lathe. I loved the fact that he was not so rigid, something he says he's learned over the years. So we were able to teach eachother. We are all teachers and students in life.

The workshop, love the carved condor trusses. Climate controlled workshop inside, dusty and dirty tools under the lean to outsude at end of building.

Guillermo working on the lathe.

Another family of flutes birthing. Getting ready to glue.

Me carving a Peruvian walnut flute.

Blanks I made for Guillermo while he was away.

Guillermo proudly showing two Hawk Little John flutes given to him by Hawk.

One of Guillermo's inlaid drones. A silver set stone is set into the timber.

Guillermo's lovely combination drone. A wonderful masterpiece and totally unique in terms of design. Scott August reviews this flute.

Loon Flutes and Drones.

Loon Flutes.

Horse flute at top left. And a few more of mine below.

Guillermo's Dragon Flute, this Dragon came to him in a dream and the next day he started making the flute. He exhibits this in his showroom, which was also my quarters up on a mezanine in the same room.

Me and Guillermo on my last Day. Thanks Guillermo for all you shared with me and for welcoming me with open arms, I loved spending time with you and your family in your worlds.
I am glad I was able to satisfy your high standards which I have been strongly influenced by. I wish you many more successes and happiness in life. Love you Man. Look forward to reconnecting soon.

If anyone wishes to know more about or wants to buy a Guillermo Martinez Flute then See this Link, or contact me via the email on this page and I'll put directly in contact with him.

Part 4 - Rapid City and Hiking in the Black Hills South Dakota

2008-10-02T17:52:00.000+10:00

After the Pow Wow the next day I left with Regie who had offered to give me a lift to Rapid City some 600 miles west over the boarder into South Dakota where in 3 days I would fly out to Los Angeles where I would later meet Guillermo Martinez of Quetzalcoatl Flutes and work with him as an apprentice. Reggie was going to just drop me at a motel as he intended visiting a friend south, but he decided to change his plans and host me a few days so I could experience the famous Black Hills, and offered to take me hiking in them. Well sure I said and I can certainly do with more exercises and fresh air. The American Diet had, as you can see with my pot belly, me eating too many corn chips and burritos. I also really enjoyed shopping at Prairie Edge, A huge Native American arts store in Rapid, that is run like a co-op with mostly Native People working there. There was not much they didn't have. I sold them a number of Cd's to help offset the hundreds I spent there. If you like this sort of thing and If you ever go to Rapid City you must find this store.

Here are some pics of the hike.

Me walking between cliffs on the trail.

view from the base of mountain

Reggie Boyd.

Big rock.

Reggie taking a break.

The famous Nicholas Black Elk- Lakota Sioux, apparently climbed this neighbouring mountain (in view) in his later years.

Great view.

Rose quartz and hematite vain.

French fry like mountains.

Me on Summit, where I very suprised to see two Mountain goats. They stopped and stared like they had never seen a human before. Their senses were highly tuned and before I could snap a pic they were gone disappearing between some rocks that I checked out after they had gone, man their path was a really hairy pass over the mountain, I guess they were going to the next valley for the night to graze. A very special and ominous experience.

Tunnel on road in the Black Hills.

Scenic View from Summit.

Many thanks Regie for taking the time to show me such a special and sacred place, and to the Sioux People and spirits for keeping me safe and well on their custodial land.

Matt’s Debut CD Now Released, Journey Over Mountains

2008-09-21T13:05:00.000+10:00

Journey Over Mountains
© 2008 Matthew Farmer
(9319505824228)

“A healing journey of Native American Flutes, Australian nature sounds from rivers and streams, birds, and the finned ones of the ocean, the whales and dolphins. Highly relaxing, spiritually uplifting and healing medicine for your soul”.

You can sample listen to it online free at my CD baby page.
If you wish to buy it I suggest downloading it from CD baby and save plastic, faster and cheaper for you too, there will be a link shortly from my CD baby page. Otherwise call me 02 66 33 3314 or email me here and I'll send you one. Price is $20 Including Postage.

About the whole experience

Well finally in June after over 6 months work I finished recording and production for my first CD, the outcome is fantastic and I am truly thankful to the Great Spirit for the way it turned out. The name Journey Over Mountains is symbolic of our challenges in life. Finding a place through these challenges where personal growth can be blissful, and to fly like the Black Kite or Eagle over the mountains enjoying the ride and the experience for what it is. It's about being in the moment. It's about loving the journey. It's about loving ourselves and loving others. It's especially about coming back to nature to find our healing and the nurturing of our spirit. It's about relaxing and letting go of the burdens we have carried for so long. It's about helping the path of humanity as a whole. It's about synchronicity and trust and belief in yourself and belief in miracles.

As this album came together it formed this far greater energy than was ever expected, I was in awe as I compiled the final songs for mastering and listened to each one over through headphones and as I named and ordered them it occurred to me what the energy was all about. As my expression of the medicine of my journey and where my own positivity, passion and self belief had led me, through my connection with the Native American Flute, which had led me to a great place of healing and self empowerment. This was certainly the long awaited new phase of the journey beginning. This was a new feeling, and it was a healing in itself to finally release from it as it became greater than me. At that moment I said thanks to the Great Mystery of all things and I had shivers down my spine. The album symbolizes much success for me personally and since its first pressings has enjoy much success of it's own especially during my journey to America which of course led me over many mountains. Many people have commented on it and also find that it likes being played many times over without becoming stale. Thats always a good sign.

It was then I realized just what I had allowed myself to create I became excitedly shocked as this project took on its own energy like it was out of my hands and a powerful source was guiding it and me, it was at this moment I realized it was much bigger than me or my music, it was the work of the Great Spirit and was the answer to many of my prayers and thanks for the healing I found and continue to find through the flute. This album is a tribute to the flute and you. I hope you enjoy it.

Song List

1 Good Rain Dreaming 4.34
2 Harmony 2.35
3 Stepping Stones 4.11
4 The Clearing 4.41
5 Finding Balance 3.44
6 Journey Over Mountains 3.02
7 Alchemy Of Change 7.15
8 Integrating 4.55
9 Creators Breath 5.27
10 Spirit Walking 7.28
11 Whale Wisdom 3.44
12 Rainbow Dreaming 8.52

Total Time 61 Minutes

There are two new openings that came up within a week of releasing it. The first is Didge player Marco from the Netherlands asked to record with me later in the year. Also a Japanese friend of mine Yu Yoshioka wants to do an album together in march next year when she returns from Japan. I have also started work on my next Solo Album and have some material recorded from that already. In this Album I will travel around recording nature sounds from many different areas of near by rainforrest's as backing, it will be a meditation CD I am feeling at the moment but I'll just have to wait and see how it evolves before I say any more.

Tarshito of Kitaani Music Solar Powered Studio played a big part in production and engineering and or recording on each of the tracks and played Guitar also as well as sharing some of his samples and effects, overall his technical and professional and guitar playing skills are second to none. I truly thank him for his professional efforts and credit him wherever due.

Being new to a professional studio I had hoped for Tarshito to play a bigger role in production. I learned through his reluctance to tell me what he thought would work that I had to think and manifest what I really wanted and that was hard to do first time off, but I honored his position as it made me express more of my feelings, which in essence was what I really wanted to capture. Having said that, there were many times when his professional experience allowed him to make suggestions that I really needed to hear in terms of music structure which I have very little experience. I see him even more professional than before because of that reluctance at times and his creative contribution and I will definitely work with him again. Many thanks Tarshito for your great work on this album. You are a legend!! Tarshito's Site

Others who deserve credit are; Paul Benhaim who plays a Hemp Plastic Didgeridoo on the last song of the album, he makes the didges in Europe in a manufacturing process, Thanks Paul.

Paul Daley of Caldera Creations for the picture of the Black Kite in flight that he took at Carnarvon Gorge in Central Queensland, a very amazing and sacred spiritual place of the Waka Waka tribal people. Thanks again Paulie. Don't miss Paulie's blog he is a truly amazing spirit on an enchanting planetary healing journey.

My thanks wouldn't be complete without thanking Gitama Day, the graphic artist who was very helpful with the art work for the Album. Thanks again Gitama.

Many blessings to you all and thanks for reading this post and as usual I welcome your comments.

My Trip To America Part 3. Keepers Concert And Pow Wow

2008-09-10T22:08:00.000+10:00

Being a small nonprofit organisation, the Keepers Pow Wow, is their big yearly gathering and their yearly meeting as well as a concert in the Pipestone Performing Arts Center, an amazing state of the art concert hall with a capacity for about 150 people. I was invited by Bud to perform at the concert along with Reggie Boyd and Mick Daniels. I wondered what it would be like to perform in another country so I thought it would be a good experience also staying the extra week would give me time to learn more about the people and the area as well as being able to attend the Pow Wow which are always good fun. The concert went well, and here are a few pics, I am still waiting for a few videos of me playing from Mark in Milwaukee.

While we were doing our sound check an Asian-Indian man who had arrived early wanted a pic with us so I asked the photographer to get one on my camera too. Maybe he thought we were famous Ha Ha Ha!

Regie performed first and gave us a lovelly dispaly of his musical tallents, he played flutes he personally makes. I really regies performance, he did a few really relaxing songs and then a rendition of a john Lennon song.

I found micks performance equally entertaining, his style is country and he sang a song that was about him loosing stuff around the house and his wife always knowing where it was. I loved it. I loved also meeting this great man, eventually finding we had a good connection as we communicated more.

After Micks performance I was welcomed to the stage, I was a bit nervous though played about 15-20 minutes before Reggie and Mick came back out do do a further song each.

I later found out the concert was recorded for programming on a cable TV channel in Minnesota.

The weather the next day for the Pow Wow was excellent, turnout was great and all in all was a awesome Pow Wow (I'll have the great videos up here soon) My music was supported with good sales on Cd's also.

I danced, hang out with Reggie and Mick, volunteered by making and putting up Tipi’s and signs the day before, and handing out program's to the tour bus travelers who attended on the day. I met many lovely people who there was spiritual connections with this weekend an it always stay with me as a special time. A lovely lady I met was Pauline, a local from Pipestone, and also her friend Mary. I also met Eric from and we seemed to connect well.

Just before I was to leave on the last day, I gifted Mark one of my flutes to show my appreciation to him for being and for especially his contribution by volunteering and driving over 1000 miles to lend his hands. I was then offered pipestone as a trade for a flute by Russ which I said I would be interested in but couldn't carry it, then Mark offers to send the pipestone to me back in Australia, well it was hard for me to ignore this good offer so I went to the guys house to inspect the stone and after forming a fair deal we traded.The meeting with Russ, and later that evening his wife Kimmy was a great connection. The flute I traded was a really lovely inlaid flute with Russ that he then gifted to Kimmy, it was a beautiful experience, she was so happy and really lit up. Russ traded me a milk crate of Pipe Stone for the flute which previously belonged to a skilled local Pipe Carver who had died and it was then gifted to Russ. I then passed the stone to Mark who’s wife had a use for the scraps and promised to cut pipe blanks to send to me in Australia, out of the thick slabs, to cut down the weight.

Local Lakota Pow Wow Drummers.

Me dancing inter-tribal.

Circle Dance.

Marty leading circle dance.

Lakota girls in maidens dance.

Circle dance.

Youngsters doing a fancy foot dance.

Honour dance.

Russ's Part Wolf Dog. I hope Russ can hold him back if he's hungry!

Me and Russ after trading.

Thanks Keepers for doing the great work you do, I feel honored to be a member of such a great organisation and such a lovely bunch of people. I look forward to attending the Pow Wow another time if not in spirit. Thanks also for all the great connections with the Souix Indians and all the other people I connected, thanks for being so warm and welcoming.

September Flute Circle

2008-09-08T19:40:00.000+10:00

Well folks its time for another great Flute Circle and I hope you all can make it this time round , if not well there's a great November Circle organised too but more about that one later.

This circle is on the Spring Equinox, a very potent and powerful time of new growth, new possibilities and trancendance. Anna has kindly welcomed us back to her lovely property in Mullumbimby for what is set to be an awesome and surprise filled afternoon amongst beautiful people. Here are more pics from our last circle.

To be held on the Saturday Afternoon of the 20th September 2008

Our Afternoon Schedule

Arrive at or just after 2pm.

Group Lesson with Matt by donation 2.20-3.20pm All donations to flute circle.

Circle Start 3.30pm presentation by Matt. I plan to take you a healing meditation journey with some of my instruments that I have been collecting for some years now, then give a brief talk about the flute and answer any questions. We will then be open to suggestions from people on how we use the rest of the usable time before it gets dark. Remember if you are a beginner to make it to the circle early so you can be part of the group lesson.
After the Circle we are invited to be part of a feast then an Evening Ceremony in the Tipi with Anna and Leonie and the participants of the 'Walking The Medicine Wheel' You are welcome to participate in their separate programed workshop that will be running all week end by contacting Anna 02 66 84 4429 or Leonie 02 6655 9562 for any more details. It looks like they have a fantastic workshop program happening. Please see the PDF flyer attached to the email just sent to you.

There will be herb teas and coffee provided but it is asked that you bring a plate to share, veg-vegan food always welcome. Guess who's vegan?.

We had a hugely successful debut circle and for all those who were present it was truly amazing, for those who weren't look at the post on this blog titled; Flute Circle A Great Success and
What Is A Flute Circle.

A reminder that the flute raffle will continue until our November Circle now until we raise enough money for charity to feel that the raffle has been supported, it's a really great flute and was made donated by myself and signed by many famous and important people in the flute world on my 2006 journey to the states, it's truly a collector and was created with the intention of helping the world and being raffled for charity. Two people have purchased $50 worth of tickets each, they are Walter Smith and Jonathan Wills, thanks guys. All money raised is going to hands with hands charity for more details go to the post on this blog titled What Is A Flute Circle.

We really look forward to having you. Its great to be holding these events now in this region and we ask for your support so they can continue. You certainly don't need to be a flute player to enjoy what we do. If you are interested in the Native American Flute then please come along. If you have a flute please come and bring it with you. Lets have a really great afternoon. Please call me on 02 66 33 3314 or email me at the link on this page for more details about the flute circle and group lesson. Please RSVP by email ASAP if you are coming, detailed directions will be then forwarded.

My flutes will be available on the day also. More details about my flutes can be found on my website
or by getting in touch with me.

Many Blessings and Miracles

Matt

My Trip To America. Part 2. Pipestone MN, Pipe Keepers Organisation, and Making My Pipe

2008-08-29T19:36:00.000+10:00

Journey to Pipestone

Well the synchronicity kicked in when without any further travel plans only just a few vague ideas a new friend Grizzly, a flute maker and tattooist from England asks me as a fellow traveler would, "so where are you headed after this" "Well I said, I was thinking about visiting this guy Bud Jonson of the Keepers in Pipestone Minnesota" "Well were going that way towards the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and we'd be happy to give you a lift" "great" Well just like that along out of the blue a plan starts to fall into place. I try to get my laptop connected to the Internet to make connection by email with Bud, but have all sorts of problems and as time's running out as I'll be leaving with Grizzly and family tomorrow morning I decide to call Bud and leave him a message to return my call. The following day we all, that's Grizzly, his wife, their daughter and best friend Peter Night Eagle whom is a great flute performer from the UK, set out from Eau Claire Wisconsin on interstate 90 heading west into Minnesota, about 500 miles later and 30 miles from where I was to jump out and hitch hike to pipestone my phone rings and it's Bud saying "so you want to come and make a pipe huh, jump out at Brandon and I'll come and pick you up" It was a Monday and Bud had not intended visiting the office where my message was waiting for him but something had made him need to go in hence the call. With this luck I start to think things are out of my hands just like with the CD and Great spirit is firmly pulling the strings. You gotta love syncronicity like that.

Bud Johnson and The Keepers Of The sacred Pipe Organisation (Keepers)

Well bud is a real character and certainly not your average guy or Indian elder and you'll see why more as you read this story. He has a great sense of story telling and could make the most boring story sound so exciting that you would be riveted to you seat waiting to hear how it ends. I might also add he has a freindly and infectious peosonality and quirky humor and also quite a colourful usage of profanity that is used so innocently. Bud is 63 years old and is one of the founders and the current President of the Keepers of the Sacred Pipe organisation in Pipestone Minnesota which is just near the western border of the state.

Big pipe monument out the front of the Keepers Depot, which used to be the old railway station.

Bud off to the office to BS with the staff, the term BSing is their lingo for chatting about stuff, or for Bud telling a detailed 10 minute story without interruptions.

Pipestone Minnesota, particularly the National Park which is known as one of America's National Monuments, is where the sacred Pipestone has been hand quarried by Native American peoples for countless generations and for many thousands of years and is now a national park being run by Indians working for the national trust department of the Federal and State Governments. Various native quarries have permits and their own quarries, and that is controlled by the Native run department. Bud used to be part of that department before he quit to start the keepers. Only hand tools and no machinery is allowed to quarry the stone, in keeping in line with old traditional and sacred values in this now heavily mechanised world. There is a huge waiting list for those who want to get a quarry that may become available. Some do from time to time mainly because the holder has become trashed from the hard back breaking work of breaking through 15-20 feet of Quartzite, one or the hardest rocks there is, just to expose a 10 inch layer of Pipestone, also known to scientists as Catlinite, so you see for the $5-7 per pound they get for it wholesale they really have to work for it and not all of the layer of Pipestone is useable for pipes due to fractures and less dense layers. It is often said that the Pipestone sold is for free, you are paying for it to be dug. These people make a living from this work and Bud's Brother In law Travis has a pit pictured down the page. In his mid 40's, Travis told me he's just about had enough. Travis is Lakota and makes pipes from the stone and sells them wholesale to the National monument and to the Pipe keepers shop's. It's when you speak to those who actually dig this stuff that you realise what goes into it and just how hard and laboursome that is.

Keepers of the sacred Pipe Organisation was set up to protect the quarries from being taken over by the certain Lakota Interests, that have attempted to through the courts over the years, As I understand it, they wanted to claim rights to it and the land exclusively. Bud an Ojibwe elder, whose people originate from country within Minnesota, believes that all Indian Tribes and all people should have access to the Pipestone and that the creator put it there all people and it has been that way since it was first discovered there thousands of years ago. Bud is a peaceful Pipestone worrier, standing for what he believes to be right and protecting the rights of other tribal pipe carvers. Bud has fought for many years of his life to see this sacred resource not be Hijacked by any particular greedy interests that would want to own it or restrict it's use to their own people. Now without going too deeply into the messy politics It was very evident to me that there is a huge amount of dissent among mostly all Native American Tribal Nations and it is not too often that different Nations agree on any issue. This lack of unity as a race has prevented them from achieving victories for their rights as a race of people and that certainly has been exploited by the European settlers of America who have long used the divide and conquer technique, and you could say very successfully to claim power. There is also this thing that some Lakota's believe they are the true Indians, why I don't really know? But I have considered it may be because they were the last tribe to fall to the white settlers of North America like in the infamous battle at wounded knee (well it was actually a cold blooded execution by the American Military of mostly women and children as most worriers had alredy lost thier lives) and others that only took place just 120 years ago in the1890's. I really tried to stay impartial to the conflicts and difference of beliefs, seeing a bigger picture and relating to what has happened around the world and at home, I certainly have compassion and empathy and understanding for The Native American People, the first people of the great lands of America for what has happened as what they have lost or what we all have lost. I also have compassion and empathy for the those who were the plunders who knew no better, for it is only with love and compassion that the world will change.

Apparently There's some bickering and judgments that go on around the differences in pipe smoking ceremonies, between different tribal nations and pipe keepers, and other spiritual practices they perform. I guess really what it all boils down to is tradition, which is a word Bud sometimes has a problem with. "Tradition is only one generation old", he says. Having said all that there are many very spiritual Sioux (being Lakotas, Dakota's or Nakota's, who all belong to the Sioux Nation just have different sounds and pronunciations of the same language) who believe differently and believe that the rigidness, stubbornness and reluctance to accept different ways is not what the Great Spirit wants of them in these times. I was privileged to have met and sweated with a Lakota man Breon Lake who was a student of a very well known spiritual man Galan Arapaho, whom bud describes as a heavy hitter and one of the most spiritual men in the entire Sioux region in the last 100 years. Breon has very strong elk medicine and is a member of the Elk Society of his tribe. He could have been any old Indian running of the tracks but he was inspired by his grand mother to become a spiritual man. Breon works for a company that manufactures large wind turbines that provide much of the power needs to Minnesota and South Dakota and is a Sun Dancer and Pow Wow Dancer and Singer. I liked this guy very much, most of all I loved his friendly nature and humorous spirit. A big guy like a buffalo, his spirit and love for life were just as big. It was certainly a pleasure to be a part of the sweat with him and others like Marty the head dancer in the Keepers Pow Wow this year, many other great folks who I will mention later too like Mark, anyway I have really gotten ahead of myself here.

On the very next day after arriving I started making a Personal Ceremonial Pipe in the shape of an eagle claw. Many thought I was going in at the deep end but I was confident that that's what I wanted to carve and I knew I would manage the job.

I purchased a large 5 pound bottom layer piece of Pipestone enough to make 2 pipes, from the keepers supply. I am pictured separating it so I can begin my Eagle Claw Pipe.

Initial rough out.

2 days of casual carving later, this stuff is hard but carvable with a knife, blisters now on my carving hand.

3rd day, finer shaping and smooth sanding of pipe bowl.

Fourth day I carved a stem out of Ash, the hardest wood to make a stem out of but well worth the effort. I hand carved that out of a 2 foot and 2 inch diameter branch, very dense wood.

5th day I wet sanded it down to 400 grit then heated it in water ready for the pure bees wax to melt on. I also burnt oiled and waxed the Ash stem.

Polishing in the wax and admiring the new appearance, how exciting, Wow all this hard work coming toward the final fruit, and it feels great. Note in the next picture the light orange outer layer on the edge of the talons and egg.

My Pipe pictured with another Pipe I made from the very precious Canadian Pipestone inlaid with the red Pipestone in a four directions symbol.

I cut my left thumb quite seriously while making this little pipe. The darker stone much harder especially when it has a quartzite vain in it. They were both real beauties and thank goodness it was near finished as I couldn't do much with that hand for at least a few days. The small pipe I gifted to Guillermo Martinez, as a gift of thanks and gratitude for the time I speant with him, whom I was to stay with later. See Part 5

.
Another angle.

All the Native Americans who checked out this pipe were very impressed, and Bud would make me pull it out and show all his friends. I felt it kind of made it's self just like some of my flutes, they tell you subtly how they want to be. I really loved this experience and found so much healing in just the making of it. I am now using it much more regularly than I used my other pipe. Bud and I smoked it together first and he taught me the customs he uses with the Sacred smoking ritual. I will continue using my other pipe the have different powers and significances to my life and journey.

My history and experience with the pipe.

Well many years ago, maybe 15, I was gifted a lovely Native made T-Bowl Pipe by my Mother to carry and use ceremoniously, I held it for a few years not using it as I knew how powerful it was and I felt I was not worthy of it yet. Eventually that changed and I formed my own ceremonies around bring healing and change in my life calling to the creator and honoring what customs I knew about the Ceremonial Pipe and what I had gathered intuitively. I have since used that pipe in a sacred way maybe 4 times a year to help manifest change and healing when I felt it was needed so I have long been a pipe carrier. I am a firm believer in the power of a pipe to reinforce the prayers. They make you more of a believer. Quite amazing and unexplainable.

How I met Bud.

I had met Bud and Jim Tree, the author of The Way Of The Sacred Pipe, at the Red Blanket Gathering 2007, I was inspired by his passion and friendly nature and also interested in the keepers organisation I acquired some details and thought of a visit on one of my future trips to the states. I will never forget the pipe ceremony attended by 80 people there one night with Jims Thunder Pipe that the bought to Australia to help with the drought.

Well it was kind of by chance that the INAFA Convention being in the neighbouring state It occurred to visit Bud and the Keepers (funny and great how things synchronise)
Well it was a very amazing experience and very uplifting spiritually, and a real honour to share that time with such great and down to earth people.

The National Monument.

Bud very keen to represent his knowledge and understanding of the park and show me around in general, wow what an amazing park, here's a few pics.

Bud giving me a guided tour of the park. Who says buffalo burgers ain't fattening.

This is the Lovers rock, It is said that if a man really wanted to prove he loved a woman he could take her to the Lovers Rock and standing on the cliff about 4 meters away (right) leap to the lovers rock, if he made it he would be a good husband (left) a drop of about 20 meters onto jagged rocks if he wasn't to pull it off, as you stand there below looking up at it you can just picture the scenes that it must have seen over the years. If he didn't make it I'm sure she would acknowledge his courage and nurse him better, neither of them would ever forget such an experience. The distance looks seriously difficult and any poor bastard lover boy would be packing it as he dared the jump all to satisfy his woman. I guess it would weed out the pretenders. The landing pad is just the smallish top to a round boulder so I guess you would have to jump with a hugging land, some serious Olympic worrier stuff.

There is a lovely waterfall and water hole near by , it's just such a magical and beautiful setting.

Face in the cliff, all natural, no evidence of carving and that's super hard quartzite too. This country obviously has many overseeing spirits and this is likely one of them.

And if you thought the other one was a coincidence well then there's this one, seeing them physically, or in photos even, there's no doubt a spirit in these rocks, not just looking like faces but you can feel a presence from them.

An old usused flooded quarry.

The Quartzite rubble from Travis's Pit. It replaces where the pit once was, so it fills back as it moves forward.

Travis's pit again showing water pumped out and work in progress. Travis taking a break.

Indian Pipe carver at the Monument carving on display to the public, he has a starship enterprise carved there in the background.

His works for the day are roughing out some blanks then getting started with the carving.

Hygroglific carvings on Quartzite, thousands of years old depicting bufallo and other symbolic patterns. It is not known how these were done as again Quartzite is second to Diamond in hardness.
More hyrogliphs, these are part of a collection of rocks that the European settlers found when they came to the area now back in the trustful hands of the Native run park, many however of much great significance are still missing according to a local Lakota elder Chuck Derby who runs a great museam in town with so many great artifacts, art, pictures, history and information about the quarries and Pipestone.

Well my visit to Pipestone has just began and now I prepare for the upcomming concert and help setup for the Pow Wow on the weekend, read about that in part 3.

Again thanks for reading, and please, I encourage you to click the link to leave a comment, I love reading your thoughts.

Blessings

Matt

My Trip To America. Part 1. INAFA Convention 2008

2008-08-25T15:20:00.000+10:00

Here is a description of my 5 ½ week journey to the USA this year, I packed a lot into this short time but wished there was more time and finances and no commitments calling me back home, as the journey called me on like guiding or leading spirit magnetising me to other great experiences and people. I was however happy to return home to the country that for me is the best country in the world for many good reasons but I feel that I will also return to the Americas soon to continue my journey there. I am particularly drawn to visit Peru and Mexico again and travel to other South American Countries like Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Brazil. But that's another story. There are 5 parts to this story and this is the first, hope you enjoy.

Part 1. INAFA Convention 2008

My flights were very exhausting, first flying to Taipei, waiting for 5 hours then continuing on to LA where I had another 5 hour wait to then catch a plane to Minneapolis St Paul where I was to wait further then get an interstate shuttle to Eau Claire Wisconsin, my continuous journey was 2 whole days and nights of traveling through 4 time zones, but thankfully I had a few days to kill before The INAFA convention where I was attending as a flute vendor, member and participant. I enjoyed the rest at a motel then made my way to the University of Wisconsin where I would be staying for the next 6 days to register for the convention. It was great to see many good friends and instantly felt at home and very excited as there were some amazing performances scheduled. I have some photos of the convention below. My highlight was meeting Joseph Fire Crow of the Cheyenne nation who has long been my favorite flute player, I have been more inspired by him, his music and story than any other player but that’s not to say that others havn’t inspired me though. Joseph is a flute man, meaning he makes and plays flutes, Joseph says he now only makes a few a year. Josephs story can be read here….

Joseph and me when we met. Wow he's a big guy, my hand hardly reached the other side of him. He was very happy I was inspired by him and I gifted him a copy of my CD. Joseph has another name in Cheyenne of which the english translation is unsuccessful bear, he says this is a very old powerful worrier name of his people.

My stand in the vendors section.

Me playing the flute.

Me looking a bit tired, still heavily jetlagged and with so many flutie experiences, peak saturation , I need sleep or a triupple dandy jolt!! Where do you get them around here?

A good friend from RNAF 2006 Jeff Miller purchases my personal drone that I recorded the song Harmony with on my recent Album. Jeff said it was the best sounding drone available of all the vendors present and he'd played them all. Thanks Jeff and I hope you two have a good journey together.

Colin Peterson, a lovely man, proudly standing in front of his flutes. A great maker, Colin is starting to get some recognition and a following for the quality of his flutes and justly so.
I bought 3 from him this year and love them dearly.

John Kulias, (Shame I missed him duck) who truly is a beautiful spirit, makes clay flutes and I admit they are some of the most amazingly tuned and voiced instruments I have ever played, so you guessed it I had to have one, which he is still holding in safe keeping for me. Making clay flutes has got to be one of the hardest things anyone could take on but he does it like a master and was inspired by masters like Xavier Quijas Yxaotal (flutes pictured down page) and Guillermo Martinez whom I was lucky enough to apprentice with on this trip, see part 3.

Tim Blueflints flutes. Tim a beautiful spirit also, was someone I connected well with but wished I had connected more with, he grew up on the Res (Indian Reservation) and justly calls his flute s Shades of Res Flutes, they sound and play very well.

Who's this big Texan? Keith Glowka plays a Mojave flute like a master, a seriously hard instrument to play. Love you and love your work Keith.

Some of Keiths lovely instruments including Buffalo Horn Flutes, A double bamboo flute and another horned flute I forget the name of.

Keith showing off to Gary and Russ Venable of RV flutes with his Mojave playing skills, Russ looks like he is pulling out his bathroom drain pipe flute, watch out its no mach for a Mojave in the hands of a wild Texan!! LOL.

Craig Chan from Earth Tone Flutes and Gary Leatham from Woodsounds Flutes and I talking together.

Along comes Larry Evens with his deep Texas accent, beautiful flute Larry, this particular flute are a couple, the butterfly sticks on the block of the main flute with a magnet and flutters around, they are both in D, now that's very innovative and who didn't love it. Brent Hanes from Wood Sounds gives it the once over and play tests it. Everyone loves Larry and his flutes, he is an enigma. Here is a you tube video I took of this experience.

Jeff and Joanne Calavan from Oregon Flute Store inspect their lunch delivery, is the salad up to Jeff's standard? Oregon flute store are resellers of many fine makers as well as Jeff and his brother being great makers themselves, they were part of the first Flute Circle in America and helped Sherry Kuhl start it all those years ago.

Picture taken of the floor from the mezinene on the last night after the concert. Quite a turn out.

In brief The performances were truly amazing, the highlights being the night time concerts by Frank Montano - Ojibwe, joseph Fire Crow -Cheyenne, Scott August, Autums Child, and Xavier Quijas Xyotal- Huichol, also not to forget the amazing Coyote Oldman who plays the anasazi flute truly amazingly. It's maybe just the hardest flute in the world to play but he is a real master if there is one. I must also mention that Jan Sydan played a lovely afternoon concert and Kevin Lokee, very well known old school Lokata flute player gave a fantastic talk on the old Lakota Songs. Peter Phippen also did a lovely presentation and I wish they had given him more time cause he had only just got started before the 90 Min's was up.

Meeting many new flute makers that I had not met at the previous convention was a great experience and gave us all a chance to check out each others flutes and talk about our various techniques and approaches. I have a good photo of Joseph Fire Crow and as others I took were accidentally deleted to free up space on my camera I will ask Grizzly from England to send me a few beauties as he is a professional photographer.

Randy Mcguiness of the Cherokee Nation was the MC for the entire week and did a lovely job, what a gently spirit.

Joseph performing on the Friday Night a really fantastic performance.

Mark Holland of Autems Child performing on the Friday night, great concert.

So I loved the entertainment and connection with the great flute makers. I made sure I bought a few flutes from Coyote Oldman AKA Michael Graham Allen who was one of the very early flute makers when the renaissance began 30 years ago, Micheal was kind enough to gift me a flute also and I truly thank him for that and his kind hearted personality and generosity, I also acquired a Anasazi flute from Michael which I can not yet play very well as its harder than Shakuhachi, and 3 flutes by Colin Peterson which I intend recording with. I traded and sold and gifted my own flutes and CD’s and leather bags. I also purchased a flute form Jeff Calivan that had belonged to the late great Dr Richard W Payne who basically was a flute maker, historian and player who started the renaissance by gifting a flute to Sonny Nevacoya who then became a famous flute player and inspired others like R Carlos Nakai to become a player who then inspired masses of flute players. Jeff finished the flute as Dr Payne had not yet finished it, its in Dr Paynes original Diatonic tuning. I couldn’t resist buying this flute for my collection as the opportunity may never present itself again. I also bought a flute by Gary Khul whom I met 2 years ago, A beautiful little flute. Keith Glowka gifted me a Mojave flute which I will also have to continue practicing on and perfecting, another very difficult flute to play as its an end blown embouchure flute. I gifted Keith a lovely Buckskin flute bag.

I thank the INAFA and all its board members and the hosting flute circle, the Eau Claire Flute Circle for all their effort and work to make a great convention and I truly enjoyed and was honoured to be there and part of such a great event.

What a lovely smile that is Xavier

Nice flutes too, this is his premium creation only $1850 USD so start saving. It's a double Drone Mayan Flute with two more little flutes on the side and an eagle whistle in the small head. He played this on stage and it was a truly amazing experience.

More flutes

and more

and a close up, these are all very amazing and all ahve a story too, they are replicas of the most ancient Mayan Aztec flutes. More Info

Xavier also played in concert and here is a video I made with his permission.

So thats it for now, I'll update here with more photos when I hear from Grizly.

Thanks for reading this and I'd love to hear your comments, please click link.

Blessings on the journey.

Solstice Circle A Great Success

2008-06-23T06:53:00.000+10:00

Hi There Fellow Fluties,

The Solstice Gathering was a great success and proved to be a very transformational event for everyone who attended. About 20 people came to share the first gathering for the Northern NSW Flute Circle. Eve's 15 month Daughter Leela, the youngest member of the circle was keen to take part and played Eve's flute for us which was a blessing. Many other interesting people of all ages and backgrounds joined as we found together what it was like to be part of a Flute Circle.

We spent about 2 hours on the grass in circle which began with centering meditation by Sayahak and then some voice toning by amazing Sante, which really helped to set the energy. Then as the sun went below the mountains around 5 pm the prepared bonfire was lit, and once it was going well, which didn't take long at all being Camphor wood, we ate and socialised at the house before returning to the fire to sing songs and warm our bones.

The fire was a great idea as was the Spiral Mandala Walk, a meditation of prayer of our future journey's to the Creator, that all were keen to take part in. During the Spiral Mandala walk, a circle of glass candle lights placed in a spiral and a larger one at the center where you can then stop and pray before returning, flute songs were played to enhance the energy and healing. After we then returned to the fire which at this point was seriously raging and putting out a lot of heat, and continued our connections with each other, ourselves and our flutes.

On a whole it was an absolutely amazing event that all insisted they would attend next solstice as if there would be something wrong if we didn't do it again. So We surely will. What a great way to start a new group on a Winter Solstice, it was the most fertile time for us to come out and do this and assures a great power and future for this great sharing journey together. AHO!!

A big thanks to all those who attended and to Anna for generously welcoming us all to her place, thanks also to Eve for her committed help and beautiful energy, whenever I struggled Eve offered at least one suggested solution but usually many.

Enjoy these photos and please feel welcome to make comments on this blog.

Sante playing the flute

Me playing a tune.

Me, Eve, Cristiana. The group practicing a few new techniques like the trill, embellishments, tonguing, and flutter tongue etc.

Yu demonstrating her fantastic playing skills with Ben observing.

Ben accepts the offer to Play Yu's Lovely Drone.

Yu, Myself, Wan and Kaori share a group picture.

Anna's Friend, Anna, Eve and Cristiana.

The Fire.

Sahayak playing Cristiana's lovely snake medicine flute.

Sahayak in the moment with Sante looking on in awe.

Kaori and Yu, full tummies and empty plates.

Tending my fire keeping responsibility and enjoying the atmosphere of being amongst good friends.

Click here to see a video of Yu and Matt playing thier flutes around the fire after most people had left, a very special monment.

We welcome the help of those who would like to either help with the organising and admin. Work of future circles or those who would like to help by donating items to our raffles. The raffles are to raise funds for charity. Our current raffle is for an amazing collectible autographed flute and 3 Cd's, all the information including photos and sound sample are in the previous post down the page, titled What is A Flute Circle. Our current charity is Hands With Hands click here to see the website.

The next circle will be held in the lovely month of September. Details for next Circle will be available in late August. Again all are warmly welcome so please strongly consider joining us if it is possible to make it. I look forward to seeing you then. I will continue to post fortnightly so please do save this blog to your favorites and come back soon.

I'm off on a journey to the US shortly so wish me well and I wish you well on what ever you get up to until we join again next time.

Blessings on the journey

Matt

What Is A Flute Circle?

2008-06-03T15:56:00.000+10:00

Hi again,

I must admit I think I am addicted to blogging, I am so new to this and so definitely hooked.

I thought I would post some interesting and exciting info that is on my mind. Also information about what a Flute Circle is basically about for those not sure.

This post covers these topics.

What is a Flute Circle?
How can our group contribute to charity's?
Current Flute and CD Raffle.
What to expect on this Blog.
Start your Own Blog.

What is a Flute Circle?
A Flute Circle is a group of Native American Flute enthusiasts, of any level, who meet regularly to share their Spirit Songs, and support each other on the journey to becoming more experienced players. Beginners and those wanting to experience what it is that we do together, and the magic healing sounds of the Native American Flute are very welcome to join us. We also share a social aspect to our meetings and great food as everyone brings a plate. Our focus is to have fun and further the appreciation of this great instrument.

How can our group contribute Charity's ?
As we will be coming together as a group we become a powerful instrument for our own self empowerment and also to bring change around many issues affecting the world we live in.

Fund raisers and donations to charity are a great way to do this. Also we can use the circle as a place to birth other great ideas we have to bring change and share our gifts with others who may be interested.

Eve has suggested that we nominate a People, a Land, a Land Animal, and Sea charity and spread the funds we raise between them. I think this is a fantastic idea. We can alternate between different charities. We will update here when the charity's have been nominated.

If you have any ideas for charity fund raising or have a goods for donation for our next raffle then please email us at northernnswflutecircle@gmail.com

Current Flute and CD Raffle.
I have donated a signed flute and have 2 signed CD,s donated by supporters of the circle that will be raffled over a 3 month period. It will be drawn at our gathering in September.

In 2006 I attended the INAFA convention at the University Notre Dame In California, there I exhibited some of my flutes and bags. Besides donating a flute and bag to the INAFA raffle during the convention. I was inspired by Geoffrey Ellis and Geoff Ball's idea to get signatures from the many performing artists and attending flute makers on a flute for a raffle. So I donated a flute to the same idea and planned to bring it back and raffle it at a Flute Circle. It has since been neatly tucked away and thus has become a very collectible item, with over 20 signatures including, R Carlos Nakai (6 time NAMI winner and Grammy nominee) Peter Phippen, Gary Strousos, Hovia Edwards all Canyon Records recording artists. Kathleen Joyce Grendahl - of INAFA, Robert Gatlif – Flutetree and INAFA Board member. Coyote Oldman - AKA Michael Graham Allen, Vince Redhouse, Ash Dargan - dIdge artist from OZ, Sherry Kuhl – First flute circle, Ken Light – Amon Orlin Flutes and many others. This flute will be the first prize, there are also two Signed CD’s for 2nd and 3rd prizes that were donated By Gary Strousos titled - Echoes of Canyon De Chelly. And By R. Carlos Nakai with Keola Beamer, titled – Our Beloved Land. A big thanks to them for their support. So it’s a big raffle to start us off. How exciting!!!!

We welcome your help to sell tickets please ask Eve at the circle or email northernnswflutecircle@gmail.com Tickets are $5 for 3 and you can buy them from Eve at the circle or by email, we accept online bank deposit or Pay Pal using our email address, but prefer bank deposit as it is free - more money to charity not multi-nationals.

Here is a picture and sound file for the flute.

This flute is made from famous Plum pine Podocarpus elatus, (see the woods page on my website www.spiritsongflutes.com.au for more info) native to Australia's Northern NSW Rain forest Region also known as the Rainbow Region. The wood was recycled from a property near my home at Kyogle by a local wood recycler named Ron Allen. It is one of my favorite woods for flute making but sadly so rare and endangered.
It has a great tone, and is very playable as well as collectible. The bird is made from American Walnut also a lovely flute wood. The flute value would be above$750 now

Here is a sound file: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1302835225e4b4c7/

What to expect on this Blog.
This blog will serve as a place to promote the Flute Circle and its upcoming gatherings, news, fund raising and my personal journey with the flute. I urge others to start their own blogs and we can link up, ask me for help or direction if you are interested by email. Blogs are a great way to publish information quickly and they are totally free!! Setting one up is quicker than reading this page and so simple. Why not just do it, then you can keep all your friends up to date with what you do in your life and what’s important to you as they just visit your page just like you are doing now.

From time to time I will post info on other groups and people who are on interesting journeys as well as people, causes and businesses that are worth supporting and just about any info that I think is important to publish.

Start your Own Blog
Don’t write off starting a blog today, it’s a great idea.
See this site to start one www.blogger.com

I hope you enjoyed reading this post

Many blessings on the journey

Matt

Welcome To The Circle

2008-06-01T19:21:00.000+10:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm Matt Shooting Star,

This is the Blog for the Northern NSW Flute Circle.

We are currently organising our first meeting. Dates will be posted soon.

The vision for this circle has been with me for a long time and inspired by many others in North America like Sherry and Gary Kuhl who I was lucky enough to meet in 2006 at the INAFA convention. Sherry started the first Flute Circle in America and was the inspiration for many hundreds more to follow.

It's very exciting that we are birthing this baby now. The reason it has taken so long was I needed to find those committed people that were just as keen as I to see this great vision birthed and going in this part of Australia. That happened recently when Eve Glimma put her hand up, well both actually LOL. Without Eve's help and enthusiasm my vision would just be an unfulfilled idea yearning for attention in the back of my mind. I thank Eve for the encouragement that made me feel at ease and for her generous offering of the hard work that is necessary to get this off the ground and keep it going. Thank you EVE!!

This circle is about; Sharing, learning, healing, love, YOU and of course the Native American Flute, and you are welcomed with love to become part of this new energy.

I, on behalf of all the other members and future members, would like now to welcome YOU to this circle.

We are going to have a lot of great fun and joy together.

There are so many of you that have put your hand up and said you'd be there when we got this going and in the next week I will be emailing and calling you to tell you the great news, I can't wait to meet you all again and meeting new people interested in connecting with our group.That's right Our Group, every ones input will be valued and honored. Without it OUR group can't grow.

We plan to meet at different members houses on a Saturday afternoon every month in the Northern NSW area. We will aim to make this location central to our members.

Please email us if you have any questions regarding the circle or our next meeting.

northernnswflutecircle@gmail.com

Thanks for visiting and bye for now,

Matt
Spiritsong Flutes