16″ Shamanic Red Deer Drum “Spirit Gateway”

Description

This unique Shamanic Red Deer Drum was birthed in Ceremony on the Oak New Moon in Cancer on the 18th June 2023.

Beautiful Red Deer hide is laced onto a beeswaxed Oak Wood Frame and a golden brown leather wrapped iron ring

Finished with a golden brown leather wrapped Bridget’s Cross stye handle inset with a slice of polished Oak Wood gathered as a fallen branch from a 500 year old Oak tree in Devon as the Heart Wood.

The matching golden leather leather song caller is bound onto a hand polished Oak wood handle gathered from the same tree.

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 lovely shamanic red deer drum has a rich tone to its song, with many sweet spots to play, it would make a wonderful healing or journeying drum.

Listen to a recording of ‘Spirit Gateway’ here – use headphones or speakers to hear the full range of tones..

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 Cancer connects us to our emotions and encourages the exploration of our compassionate and sensitive sides, remembering that compassion can be offered not just to others but also to ourselves.

Often referred to as the King of Forest, the Oak is revered in Celtic traditions, as a sacred symbol of power and sovereignty and reigns over the light part of the year from the time of the Winter Solstice 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. This tree holds immense significance and symbolism, embodying strength, endurance, and wisdom. 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 Otherworld, 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’s acorns represent potential, fertility, and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

All of these energies have been woven into the drum during its birthing.

Ros Simons has been creating sacred shamanic drums and ceremonial tools for over 18 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 by Ros 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 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.

The Red Deer carries the energy of a gentle powerhouse. Swift moving with a keen eye, the deer connects us to our heart energy. In Native American traditions the deer was a messenger, an animal of power, and a totem representing sensitivity, intuition and gentleness. In Celtic lore there were two aspects of the deer: the female red deer, symbolising femininity, gentleness and grace; and the male red deer, related to the sacred and to the forests, symbolising independence, purification and pride. The stag is the king of the forest, the protector of all other creatures.

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

The red deer hides come from wild culled deer, a process which is necessary to maintain the health of the herds; and prior to being purchased by Ros the hides were being buried or burnt. All the skins Ros uses in her drums have been a bi-product of another sustainable purpose (killed for food or due to environmental pressures of overpopulation) and would otherwise be wasted; 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 already been taken. 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 and seasoned by Ros every year.