16″ Shamanic Horse Drum “Song of Life”

Description

This unique Shamanic Horse Drum was birthed in Ceremony on the Alder Full Moon in Virgo. The Travellers Moon or Crow Moon, on the 14th March 2025.

Natural death Horse Hide is rarely available to me these days; so this is a very special and unique drum, one of a series all birthed from one hide.

Stunning golden semi-transparent horse hide, with lovely markings is laced on a beeswaxed 16″ Oak frame and a turquoise coloured leather bound ring.

Finished with a turquoise leather wrapped Bridget’s Cross handle inset with a gorgeous Moss Agate Cabochon as the Heart Stone.

This drum comes with a matching turquoise leather leather song caller, birthed together with the drum, this is stuffed with wool from our own ‘pet’ sheep and is bound onto a hand polished alder wood handle, gathered with gratiitude from the shoreline of our local sea loch.

The drum also has a small matching crane bag (medicine pouch), 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 deep and lively tone to its song, and it would lend itself to all journey and healing work.

Listen to a recording of Song of Life 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.

Oak In Celtic lore, the Oak is one of the ancient triad of trees (the oak the ash and the thorn), associated with the sacred groves, which served as gathering places for spiritual rituals and ceremonies. It is believed to be a gateway to the Otherworlds, where we can receive wisdom and support from our spirit guides and teachers, and it offers us doorways onto new paths in our lives. The Oak is often referred to as the King of Forest, and reigns over the light part of the year from the time of the Winter to the Summer Solstice. It is seen as a bringer of balance its towering presence and deep-rooted nature symbolising the phrase “As above So Below” as well as the connection between the earthly realm and the divine.

Alder is all about balance. Balance of the elements, the divine feminine and masculine and all aspects of the self.  Alder is also a strong tree of protection acting as a physical shield. This tree helps us to access our inner passion and courage and gives us the ability to discern when to fight with the sword or defend with the shield.

Turquoise is revered as a stone of protection and good fortune, with calming and balancing properties; and has been used for centuries in amulets and jewellery across many ancient civilisations. Its energy is believed to promote overall well-being, dispelling negative energy and shielding its wearer from harm. Turquoise is also associated with the throat chakra, encouraging honest communication, self-expression, and the courage to speak one’s truth.

Pyrite, often referred to as “Fool’s Gold” because of its striking metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue, is a powerful stone with multifaceted properties, despite its nickname, Pyrite is far from foolish; it is highly valued for its grounding, protective, and energizing qualities. It serves as a shield, blocking out negative energy and environmental pollutants at all levels, and creates a barrier against harmful energies and emotional attacks, Pyrite is also known for its ability to enhance vitality, willpower, and personal power, stimulating the flow of ideas, it ignites creativity, and encourages motivation and manifestation.

The Full Moon follows a period of intense building energy and outward activity, and we can feel its influence for a few days before and after the exact phase. The high energy of this time stimulates a burst of productivity and there’s a sense of things coming to culmination or fruition. We begin to see the results of what we started at the New Moon. This time can bring about new perspectives, breakthroughs, and revelations.

The astrological sign of Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury, representing the mind and intellect and all forms of communication. The energy of this moon offers us the opportunity to dive into the structure and detail of our lives. To create healthy boundaries and to focus on our organisation. It’s also about accepting that evolution takes time and space and is not about perfection of the result more about enjoying the journey.

The Full Moon in Virgo shines a light on the finer details of our lives, encouraging us to bring order, clarity, and discernment to areas that may have become disorganised or overlooked. This lunar phase is an ideal time to reflect on routines and inspires us to seek balance between striving for excellence and accepting ourselves with compassion.

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.