18″ Shamanic Red Deer Drum “Solstice Fire”

Description

This unique Shamanic Red Deer Drum was birthed in Ceremony on the Summer solstice on 21st June 2023

Red Deer Hide is laced on a yellow stained and beeswaxed 18″ Ash frame and a yellow leather bound ring.

With an orange and red leather wrapped Bridget’s Cross handle inset with a beautiful Fire Agate as the Heart Stone.

Finished with Golden, Orange and Red recycled sari silk streamers

This drum comes with a matching red 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 Holly wood handle, gathered in ceremony from a wild Holly on Exmoor.

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 striking shamanic red deer drum has a deep, resonant and powerful tone to its song, with multiple sweet spots to play, it would make a wonderful ceremonial or journeying drum.

Listen to a recording of Solstice Fire here – use headphones or speakers to hear the full range of tones.

Summer Solstice is the time of the longest day and the shortest night, and represents the transition from action to nourishment, this is exactly what the Sun gives us during the long nights of summer, both to our actual crops but also to the continual journey we travel from darkness to light. Summer reminds us that there is hope in the world, that the light within can spread to the far reaches of the globe and inspire others. We can nurture others, just as the Sun nurtures us. Through honouring this day of light, we energetically set in motion a period of awakening in our consciousness which lasts all summer until the Fall Equinox.

Fire Agate also known as Flame Agate, is a type of chalcedony that displays a unique play of colour and iridescence. This stone is thought to represent the life force within us, it is known for its protective and grounding properties, making it a popular stone for meditation and energy work. It is a stone of integrity, encouraging high standards of behavior in self and others, and promotes passion in love and in life and is believed to provide stability and balance in times of emotional upheaval.  Fire Agate helps ward off negative energies while promoting physical and mental health.

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 known as the king of the forest, the protector of all other creatures. Red Deer spirit transports us gently and quickly into and out of otherworld journeys on fast moving hoofbeats.

The Ash which forms the bones of this drum is a tree associated with healing, empowerment and enchantment. In Norse mythology, the Ash is the axis mundai or the World Tree, called Yggdrasil. This is the tree which connects the middle world of our waking reality to the upper and lower worlds. When we journey with a drum made with an Ash hoop, we carry all of these strengths and powers with us between the worlds.

The Holly that has gifted the song caller for this drum comes from a tree that brings us courage, and the strength to really ‘be’ our own power (not just stand in it) coming from a heart centred place. Holly is one of the most beloved, respected trees in Celtic mythology and is the evergreen twin of the Oak. It is said, that whilst the Oak governs the light half of the year, the Holly tree governs the dark, winter months. Holly is a tree of great honour, and holds up a mirror, reflecting to us what we need to work on to grow and evolve in all areas of our lives

Ros Simons has been creating sacred shamanic drums for over 19 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 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 that Ros has created. 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 by Ros and seasoned every year.