This listing is a preorder for one hand crafted 18 inch Winter Solstice Fly Agaric, Birch and Reindeer Ritual Drum, from The heART of Ritual.
In placing this preorder, you are purchasing a birch and reindeer ritual drum whose drumhead is botanically dyed with Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria), and personally birthed for you in ritual on the Winter Solstice 2024.
I have known for some time that I needed to bring the magic of Fly Agaric to my work in ritual rhythm, and during the Summer Solstice this year it became clear that the pigment I had been developing for this purpose was specifically for drumming (earth element aspect of therapeutic sound). Now that the pigment making process is finally complete, and I have received the reindeer rawhide especially for this ritual offering, it is clear that this drum will come through physically on the Winter Solstice.
This drum has been a very long time coming really, but I always knew it would come through when the time was right. I have worked with Fly Agaric therapeutically in my clinic for many many years, and Fly Agaric was the first drawing I have memory of making as a young child. It's been with me a very long time, energetically it supported me in very deep grief processing, and in the last ten years, it has certainly stepped forward as a personal mentor and colleague.
After years of bringing together Birch (through the drum hoops I make) and Reindeer (the rawhide I work with), I can now add the final piece in this incredible relationship through the pigment I have made from Fly Agaric. The Birch, Fly Agaric and Reindeer have symbiotic relationships and strong connection with each other, not just in non human nature, but in myths, legends and folklore too. All are connected with the Winter Solstice, which is why it was clear that this ritual offering would come through within the sacred space of that specific festival date.
Clearly I am unable to post a photograph of a Fly Agaric drum on this listing as it is yet to be made for you, hence I am sharing a photograph of one of the Fly Agarics gathered this Autumn which is now part of the magical colour that will become part of your personal drum.
The spirit of a ritual drums speak for itSelf, as do the Fly Agaric, Birch and Reindeer, so I gently ask that you please make space for them to speak for themselves, and that you listen and get to know them, and not speak on their behalf before you have heard what they have to say. I can guarantee you that any idea/information/theory or schooling you might have had up until now will be wrong, no two humans are alike and it is the same with the non human world and spirit. As such, I am sure you can now understand why I am not going to list the virtues or energetics related with Fly Agaric, Birch or Reindeer, or the energetic framework of the Winter Solstice either, nor will I list information about symbolism or plant/animal spirits. Each is different, has its own voice, and we simply need to listen and get to know each one for who they are. No instant downloads, you need to put in the work and earn your right to hear! ;-)
ELEMENTS OF YOUR DRUM
Please note that it's taken me over three years to gather enough fresh Fly Agaric to develop this pigment to botanically dye rawhide, so I will not be sharing details of this particular method here. Some things need to remain sacred, and protected.
The drum hoops I make are made with locally sourced sustainably managed Birch wood. These are steam bent and shaped by hand, ensuring a uniquely formed and solid foundation for your ritual drum. The glue I use is hide glue, made from the offcuts of the Reindeer rawhide that forms the drumhead of your drum. I work with Birch as it is the Celtic tree of the Winter Solstice, and the tree of new beginnings.
Each drum hoop is infused with my 13 Moon Wild Rose ritual oil, and finished with one of my crystal and plant pigment ritual drum waxes; Sol, Luna or Earth. The choice of wax depends on the overall energy of the drum.
The drum head is Reindeer rawhide that is directly sourced from the Saami in Finland. I infuse each rawhide with flower, crystal, mushroom and tree essences when soaking, and depending on what each drum calls for, healing botanicals and crystals are also placed in the water with it too. I only work with Reindeer, and ethical rawhides that I receive once a year from this tribe. Reindeer is one of my life long colleagues and deeply grounded northern medicine, and it is important to me that my work is with those who I have deep mutual relationship with over a long period of time.
The pigments that I work with on the rawhide are made by my own hands, and created from wild native medicinal herbs, the Celtic Trees of the Year, fungi, healing flowers, and crystal, mineral and earth pigments. If the drum calls for it, I might also add colour to the hoop using my own wild colour pigments and/or botanical inks.
Each drum is placed in the custom made drum rack in our dedicated ceremonial space, and carefully monitored as it slowly drys and acclimatises. Once fully stable and tested, it is prepared for shipping. Each drum is finished with a conditioning layer of my beautifully fragrant 13 Moon Wild Rose ritual anointing oil and comes with care information.
If you wish to order a custom Drum Sounder for your drum, please see the relevant listing here. Our 18 inch and 24 inch drum stands will be available for preorder as part of our Spring shop opening in January.
For those who feel drawn, the 13 Moon Wild Rose ritual anointing oil is also available to purchase here in our store.
GENERAL
Each drum unique, one of a kind, and will have different colours and patterning. You will receive an email from me when we begin to bring through your drum, another when it is fully birthed, and a final one to let you know when it has shipped. The drum itself is the one that sets the pace, and each aspect is unique, as such, it might take longer or shorter time to come through and be ready to ship.
