Northern Drum – Three year training

Northern Drum – Three year training is an ongoing shamanism training group held at EarthSpirit Centre in Compton Dundon, Somerset, England. It is led by group leader Chris Luttichau and is part of a longer course of study in shamanic practice, meeting in residential blocks at the centre's Main Centre. It suits people who want to study shamanism over an extended period within a continuing group, rather than in a single weekend workshop.

What to Expect

This is a shamanism training group, and the format is a multi-year commitment. Participants return to EarthSpirit Centre for separate gatherings through the year, each lasting a few days. This particular gathering runs over a long weekend of about four days at the Main Centre. Northern Drum also runs a related group called Medicine Lodge, which meets at the same venue.

The material describes the training only as an ongoing shamanism group, so it does not list the specific practices, daily timings or teaching methods used in each block. What the format makes clear is that this is a continuing course with a consistent group and leader, where learning builds from one gathering to the next.

About Chris Luttichau

Chris Luttichau is the group leader of Northern Drum, which runs the Three year training and the Medicine Lodge group. He leads these as ongoing shamanism training groups at EarthSpirit Centre. Anyone wanting to know more about his background, lineage or approach can find it through the Northern Drum organisation.

The Setting

EarthSpirit Centre sits in Compton Dundon, in the Somerset countryside close to Glastonbury and the ancient landscape of the Somerset Levels. The centre has a Main Centre, where this training takes place, and a self-contained eco centre called Little Earth, which has ensuite single, twin and triple rooms and a large, light yoga space. The centre offers accommodation and catering on site, and meals at EarthSpirit are vegetarian, using locally sourced and home-grown produce, with dietary needs catered for. The nearest train station is Castle Cary.

Before You Go

Because this is a three year training and an ongoing group, it is worth contacting Northern Drum before you plan to attend, to understand how newcomers join and whether the current group is open to new members. The group meets as a continuing cohort, so joining part-way may work differently from a standalone workshop.

For accommodation, catering and accessibility at the centre, EarthSpirit publishes information on its facilities and how to get there, which is useful to read before you travel.