In Person Offerings

Retreats & Circles

Your Sacred Gathering Awaits. Explore in-person ceremonies, retreats and circles.

Step into the circle, breathe the air, and immerse yourself in ceremony, creativity, and connection. Mama White Lion’s in-person offerings bring the magic of ritual, song, and craft into tangible, embodied experiences — held in nature, at cozy venues, or on Mele’s land.

From Shamanic Drum Crafting Ceremonies to nature crafting sessions and communal song circles, each gathering is designed to anchor presence, honour milestones, and awaken your creative and ancestral gifts. These spaces are more than events — they are living, breathing containers of transformation, remembrance, and shared joy.

Drum Crafting Ceremonies
Nature Craft Song Circle
Women's Full Moon Circles

Powerful Tools for Healing & Transformation

The Medicine Drum and Rattle are more than instruments — they are tools of sacred sound and spiritual technology. Through rhythm, vibration, and intention, they harmonise the nervous system, boost immunity, clear stagnant energy, and guide you into states of insight, resilience, and deep connection with yourself, the Earth, and the spirit realms.

These 2–3 day immersive retreats offer a unique opportunity to craft your own Drum or Rattle, connecting with nature, the elements, and your personal medicine. Guided as ritual and rite, you’ll explore sound, creativity, and ceremony while summoning guidance and support from ancestral, animal, plant, and elemental spirits.

By the end, your instrument becomes a lifelong companion — a vessel for your intentions, healing, and sacred expression — helping you integrate transformation and reclaim your original essence through the power of sound.

A woman standing outdoors holds a handmade drum with a silhouette of a bird on a branch surrounded by radial lines. The woman is smiling, wearing a dark sweater, yellow pants, and a brown scarf, with the sun casting a shadow behind her.
Diagram showing four brown circles in a cross formation.
Close-up of hands creating a handmade drum.

Shamanic Drum Crafting Ceremonies

Upcoming Ceremonies:
✦ 7-8th March 2026 | Nashua, NSW (BOOKINGS OPEN!)
✦ 9-10th May 2026 | Safford Heights, QLD (BOOKINGS OPEN!)
✦ 4-5th July 2026 | Byron Bay, NSW (BOOKINGS OPEN!)

Step into a space of creativity, ritual, and deep connection with your own sacred instrument. In this intimate ceremony, you will be guided through the process of crafting a 16-inch Kangaroo Hide Medicine Drum and Beater, infusing each piece with your intention, energy, and personal medicine.

These gatherings honour both individual expression and collective support, offering a quiet, nourishing container where you can slow down, engage with natural materials, and explore the symbolic language of the Drum. Every detail, from the hide to the beater, becomes an extension of your unique journey.

Each session includes materials, ceremonial guidance, and optional accommodation (where available). Special hide requests (deer, goat) can be accommodated with advance notice.

This is a rare opportunity to craft a lifelong companion that carries your intention, creativity, and connection — a personal tool for ceremony, reflection, and sacred practice.

Two women standing outdoors on a grassy field under cloudy skies, one holding a turkey feathered fan and a single feather, the other with eyes closed and head tilted slightly to the side.
Four circles in an ochre colour, in cross formation.

Day 1

  • Opening ceremony, smoke cleansing, invocation and intention sharing

  • Overview of the history and global symbology/cosmology woven into the Drum

  • Connecting with your animal hide spirit - singing to the Water

  • Connecting with the masculine principle by crafting the beater

  • Preparing the hide, template and strings

  • Sharing Drum Songs

Note: I try to complete each day around 5:30 - 6pm, however, that can change depending on the group, so please don't make any other plans for the evenings.

2-Day Ceremonial Process Overview :

Day 2

  • Sacred Circle Embodiment Practice

  • The Medicine Wheel/Wheel of Life Invocation 

  • Calling on the Spirit of the Willow (tree hoop)

  • Connecting with the feminine principles - Weaving the Drum

  • Lunch

  • Finish Weaving the Drum

  • Closing sharing circle & ceremony (with Fire depending on the weather)

  • Sharing Drum Songs

  • The timing can vary depending on each individual's process. 

  • Circle of 2–8 participants: $800pp

  • Private 1:1 ceremonies: $1100

A $200 non-refundable commitment secures your place. The remaining balance can be finalised upon arrival.

If you need to cancel, your contribution can be transferred to another gathering or commission piece within 6 months, or refunded if you find someone to fill your place.

Overnight stays are available if required. Please advise at the time of your booking.

*Please refer to the booking page of the specific retreat you are interested in for the information about that retreat, including investment options.

Additional gatherings: I host ceremonies at various locations throughout the year. If these current workshop dates don’t suit, subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch for upcoming events.

Your Investment & Important Notes:*

Book: 7-8 Mar 2026 Nashua, NSW Retreat
Book: 9-10 May 2026 Stafford Heights, QLD Retreat
Book: 4-5 Jul 2026 Byron Bay, NSW Retreat
Person sewing a brown leather pouch in a natural outdoor setting with green foliage in the background.
Two women sitting on the floor arranging a floral wreath with flowers, leaves, and branches, on a wooden surface.
Mama White Lion icon.

Nature Craft Song Circle

Upcoming Circles:
✦ New Moon Circle Sunday, 15th March 10-6pm | Nashua, Northern NSW (BOOKINGS OPEN!)

Create two of your very own sacred tools, allies, and instruments to support your healing path and practice.

Choose from a: Rattle, Beater, Chakapa (leaf shaker) or a unique combo of two-in-one

Each piece is crafted from natural materials while we sing sacred medicine songs to honour the plants, animals, minerals, and elements that bring them to life.

Join me in the peace and privacy of my humble temple home, set within a divinely inspired garden paradise. The afternoon is completed with heart-warming soup by the fire, creating a deeply nourishing and immersive experience in the ancient arts.

Limited to 7 participants to maintain intimacy.

Your investment: $150 all-inclusive.

All human forms ages 12+ are welcome.

Book: 15 Feb 2026 Circle

Women's Full Moon Circles

Upcoming Circles:
✦ Sunday, 1st February 2-7pm | Byron Hinterland, NSW (BOOKINGS OPEN!)

Welcome, sister.

You are warmly invited to a sacred space where time slows, hearts grow, and something ancient sings. Throughout time immemorial, we have gathered in the energy of the Moon — to listen, to speak, to remember, and to reconnect with the deeper rhythms of life.

Held once a month in the lush Byron hinterland, these in-person Full Moon Circles are a sanctuary for women (12 & over) to explore archetypes, astrology, alchemy, and art — within a supportive and kindred community.

Sometimes we will sit around the fire, other times down by the creek, but always with the intention to return home to the heart.

Each 3-hour gathering is like returning to mystery school. A living ritual that weaves together:

  • Sacred Ceremony & Song

  • Astrological Insights & Archetypal Exploration

  • Myth, Magic & Alchemical Wisdom

  • Creative Expression, Weaving & Earth-Based Art

  • Personal Reflections & Confidential Conversations 

Together, we co-create a space that honours both the mystery and the medicine of our true selves.

What to Expect

Group of five women and girl holding hands in a circle on a sandy riverbank during sunset
Decorative geometric patterns in brown, arranged with dots and diamond shapes on a black background.

To make this circle accessible while also sustaining its creation, there are two simple ways to contribute:

Option 1: $22 + Energy Exchange
Bring something nourishing or meaningful: A delicious platter offering, firewood, candles, sage, or something for the altar.

Option 2: $33 – Come As You Are
No need to bring a thing. Just bring your beautiful self.

Spaces are limited to keep our gatherings intimate and intentional.

Your Exchange

Whether you're a seasoned moon-walker or newly curious about the cosmos, you are welcome here. No prior experience with astrology, mythology or ritual is needed — only a willingness to listen, to share, and to show up as you are.

This is not a workshop. This is remembering.

Let’s meet beneath the full moon and create something sacred, together.

For the Wild, the Wise & the Wondering

Book: 1 Feb 2026 Circle

  • Erin Harrington

    “Mele is a phenomenonal facilitator and space holder for all things sound, song and energetics. I had an incredible experience creating my drum with mele. Each step of the process was embedded with wisdom, passion and a deep pace that I hadn't felt for some time. I had a dream to make my own drum for some time but was very specific with who I'd work with knowing the power and sanctity of building something that had such deep connection to spirit and Ancestral lineage. I felt safe and that I could trust Mele with the birthing of my drum and felt profound shifts in the process. I came back from the weekend refreshed, at peace with my inner world and clear on my mission with my drum.”

    Vocal Teacher

  • Nerida Bint

    “Thank you for making the journey down to spend the weekend teaching us. It honestly has deeply impacted me in such a profound way. Every minute with you was a gift. You held such a safe and peaceful space for us all. Thank you. I hope this next Spring equinox sees the right people discovering you and your message and you being by so valued for it too. I would have paid double the price easily for that weekend. I’ve been on many retreats and that was something very special. Thank you”

  • Deborah Sanchuk

    “Personally, Mele influenced me greatly. I look at art totally different now. The idea of letting the art develop in its own way is life changing for me. I was always so intimidated but now, even with my lack of innate talent, I just want to make stuff and let it be what it is. Mele gave me that great gift and I'm endlessly thankful for it.”

  • Renee Wilkinson

    “Mele has an incredible way of holding space and being deeply present with not only the group but the individual each step of the way. During the weekend, there was a magic woven beyond the physical and that didn’t truly hit me until I got home. Not only do you receive a drum for your efforts, you receive connection, release, learning and a deep remembering of the medicine you hold within. Thank you for a wonderful workshop Mele, I cannot wait to learn more.”

    The Open Mind Space & Sunquncha Co-Founder

  • Miles White

    “I had the privilege to meet Mele in Peru. Her open hearted nature and enthusiasm for working with creativity inspired and encouraged me to challenge myself in uncomfortable situations like dancing and singing. Mele helped me discover something I’d suppressed decades ago…a desire to be musical. Unafraid to be vulnerable or stand in her power. Mele embodies a truly conscious woman living life connected to spirit.”

  • Julia Goldsworthy

    “There’s incredible diversity and freshness to her work - it’s very invigorating and inspiring. Everything felt free, everything opened me up. It’s not just her art or movement classes either - Mele’s beautiful voice and ukulele-strumming had me weeping. What she’s really good at, therefore, and what I think sets her apart as a teacher and as a woman too, is her ability to create and hold the space for people.”

    UK and Singapore - Creative Director of ‘Kippers’

  • Becky Tickle

    “I am beyond grateful for the experience you opened up in me this weekend, not only the process of creating this beautiful drum creature, but also the process of what felt like creating and coming into my power of my true self. You’ve helped me find my voice and inspired me to use it in beautiful ways, and for that I am so grateful. Just being in your presence, feeling your energy and listening to your stories and insights is inspiring and empowering in itself. It has made me feel ready to really step into my power, individuality and not change for others. The feeling and remembering I have walked away with is unexplainable and beyond a simple thank you. So much gratitude for you and your work.”

  • Michelle Harris

    “Ceremonial Drum Crafting with Mele has been life changing for me, opening portals to ritual, song, community and accessing ritual in everyday life…. Crafted from my own hands, heart and at the altar of precious life, held and tenderly guided by Mele’s wisdom, care and experience… What a treat for those who get to access such a potent and creative process.”

  • Aimy Davis

    “I not only walked away with my drum, I walked away with a connection to all that went into it. I was able to open up even more layers of myself and I healed some wounds I held around sisterhood. I tapped into my divine feminine and from there it has continued to open and grow. I am so glad I listened to the whisper that ushered me to say yes. Thank you Mele for holding such a powerful healing space.”

  • Sally Novak

    “I highly recommend this experience. Mele creates a gorgeous space while patiently guiding you through the process of creating your own drum which will open your heart and your voice. Take this opportunity if you are feeling called to do so.”

  • Laura Gnyp

    “…I am honoured to have been a part of this circle of women…Observing the other women, including yourself, sharing individual sounds allowed me to soften my own expectations of myself…Mele, thank you for creating such a gentle and beautiful space for us all to come together…”

  • Stephanie Hill

    “I found deep healing through Mele’s ability to share her voice. I realized by listening to her share her story through words and song, that my own words and song also wanted to be expressed. She gave me space to be listened to and she taught me what it meant to be in touch with my femininity.”

  • Christopher Wang

    “I got to spend a month working with Mele at a Retreat Centre in Peru. I was taking part in a 30 day immersion program using the plant medicine Ayahuasca as a means to approach the childhood trauma of sexual abuse. From the get go I found Mele to be an intuitive, powerful and dedicated healer. I’m personally deeply indebted to Mele for her commitment to my healing and helping me come to see, believe and trust in things that I wouldn’t have been able to admit before.”

  • Jennifer Shin

    “Mele worked and taught in many various capacities during her time in the Amazon Jungle. Both professionally and personally, I have so much respect for her. She worked with impeccable integrity. Her voice and her skills were an essential component for the guests to explore, express and process the deep healing work they were doing. She has a deep warmth, empathy, and compassion combined with her many skills and wisdom that created a very safe, sacred space for the guests to process what they needed. She was an essential asset, and I as well as so many people who had the pleasure to know and work with her, have nothing but the deepest gratitude and love.”

    Healing House Cusco, Peru

  • Dr Jimi Wollumbin

    “I first met Mele whilst she was volunteering on the Moringa Project in India that OHO was supporting. During this time I observed her to be a dedicated and passionate individual. Deeply committed to creating more sustainable and humane cultures.”

    CEO, One Health Organisation