12″ Shamanic Horse Drum “Witch’s Flight”

Description

This unique Shamanic Horse Drum was birthed in Ceremony on the Elder New Moon in Sagittarius, on the 1st December 2024.

Natural death Horse Hide is rarely available to me these days; so this is a very special and unique drum.

Deep honey coloured hide, with lovely markings, is laced on a beeswaxed 12″ Birch frame and a sky blue coloured leather bound ring.

Finished with a unique binding in sky blue leather, in the shape of a Pentagram.

This drum comes with a matching needle felted song caller honouring the Fly Agaric Fungi that Witches are said to take in order to power their flights to the other worlds; this is bound onto a hand polished Elder wood handle, gathered with gratitude from fallen wood at the Temple Wood Stone Circle in the Neolithic Glen of Kilmartin.

The drum also has a small matching crane bag (medicine pouch) with a triple moon and pentagram totem, and contains personally gathered natural sacred items representative of the four elements of earth, air, fire and water and also includes a hand picked crystal – as a gift for you, and your drum. As your connection to your drum evolves these unique pouches can be filled with personal items which can be changed in and out dependent on the work you are undertaking together with your drum

This shamanic horse drum has a lively and airy harmonic tone to its song, would make a lovely travelling drum, it would lend itself to all journey and healing work, especially for those who wish to take flight and work within the otherworlds.

Listen to a recording of Witch’s Flight here – use headphones or speakers to hear the full range of tones.

The horse holds deep significance in Celtic mythology, symbolising various qualities and embodying a connection between humans and the spiritual realm. A symbol of power, grace, and freedom, the horse represents journeys, both physical and spiritual. Horses are seen as guides and companions in heroic quests and spiritual journeys. They serve as intermediaries between the mortal and divine realms, carrying individuals between worlds. In shamanic traditions, the horse holds powerful symbolism as a spiritual ally and guide, representing freedom, strength, and swift movement, enabling shamans to traverse between realms. The concept of the “wind-horse” symbolizes the energy and vitality that propels shamans on their visionary journeys. The shaman’s horse is a sacred conduit, aiding in spiritual transformation and facilitating connections with the spirit world and has many connections and spiritual meanings associated with travelling, messages and service to others. Through its symbolic presence, the horse in shamanic traditions embodies the ability to transcend boundaries, navigate the unseen realms, and access profound wisdom and healing. Horse drums generally have the deepest but sometimes a less resonant tone. In my personal experience Horse drums make wonderful journeying drums and have a wild and powerful energy in ceremony.

The Birch is considered a pioneer species, rapidly colonising land that has been levelled by fire or clear-cutting. They sprout fresh green leaves in early Spring, just as the first thaw begins. Hence, this tree’s long held association with fertility and new beginnings. It also carries powerful energies for clearing, cleansing and purification.The spirit of Birch offers courage and protection to those who would venture outside of the safe and the normal; through its sheltering of for the psychoactive Fly Agaric mushrooms Birch can be a powerful protector as we journey in the other realms.

Elder is the tree of Cycles – of the beginning in the end and the end in the beginning, It is the tree of Death and rebirth, of transformation and regeneration. This tree of the wayside rather than the woodland, offers us the opportunity to reflect and bring closure to aspects of our lives which are no longer serving us. Elder also provides a strong bridge to the wisdom of our ancestral line and access to healing we can both give, and receive with our ancestors.

The New Moon, is a deeply mystical time of the month when the external world recedes, and our energy is drawn inward. This can be a powerful time for reflection, well as bringing in the energies of new beginnings, empowering our intentions for the coming month and beyond. Meditating and journeying within these energies and getting clear about your intentions will be particularly effective at this time as will launching new projects and focussing on what we wish to increase in our lives in the in the days following the New Moon.

The astrological sign of Sagittarius the ninth sign of the zodiac, is symbolised by the Archer, aiming its arrow towards the sky. This imagery perfectly encapsulates the Sagittarian spirit of aiming high, seeking truth, and aspiring for greater understanding. Ruled by the planet of Jupiter, known as the planet of abundance and fortune, Jupiter encourages growth, learning, and exploration.

The Sagittarius New Moon is a powerful time to embrace change, seek new experiences, and align with your higher purpose. A time to set clear intentions and engage in spiritual practices, will harness this energy to create meaningful and lasting transformations in your life. Embracing the adventurous spirit of Sagittarius will guide you towards a future filled with growth, knowledge, and endless possibilities.

Ros Simons has been creating sacred shamanic drums for over 20 years, using personally refined techniques and practices that were handed down to her in the traditional way from teachers and mentors.

The drum-birthing process is carried out in ceremonial space, with prayers and thanks given to honour the spirit of the animal, the trees and the stones of the earth that gifted themselves to bring these sacred allies and medicine tools into being. The drum lacing is cut from the same hide as the drum head ~ weaving the spirit of the animal into the drum; the wood, the colours and any crystals incorporated into each drum are gathered through otherworld journeying and guidance from her drum guide, each drum is unique.

Your personal drum will become a guide, a healer, a teacher and a friend, that walks with you on your path, and takes you on a deep journey of other world and inner world exploration.

All of the Shamanic Drums birthed by Ros are guaranteed for two years provided you treat them with love and care and follow the included drum care instructions.

If this shamanic red deer drum has already found its keeper or you would like a Shamanic Drum similar to this, but unique and birthed especially for you, then you can order a bespoke drum to be made to your individual wishes and birthed with your own prayers and intentions. For more information please take a look at the Commissions Page.

All of the hides and frames for Ros Simons shamanic drums are sustainably and ethically sourced.

The horse hides come from natural death horses and are rarely available, occasionally much loved animals euthanised at the end of their lives are also passed on for this work. No animal was ever killed just to provide skin for a drum. Drum making can be seen as a reparation, a way of returning some beauty and honouring to an animal whose life has ended. In this way we return more to the ways of our ancestors, ensuring that all of the animal is used and nothing is wasted. The spirit of the animal lives on and is reborn into the drum.

The Wood for the frames is sourced from sustainably managed forests; and the wood for the song callers is personally gathered by Ros and seasoned every year.