This listing is for one hand crafted 10 inch Suaitiú Drum™ (double head 'ocean drum') from The heART of Ritual. Each one is made to order.
 
Suaitiú (pronounced suet-two)
'The sucking out sound of the shoreline at night. Often heard in Springtime when large waves pull the pebbles from the shore, then roll them back in.'
 
This beautiful double headed ritual drum colleague relates with the water element and sounds like the ocean itself. Hence it's given name, Suaitiú, an Irish word relating with exactly this sound (see above quote). The Suaitiú Drum™ is sounded through the physical movement of your own body while this drum is held in your hands. You flow together, and move together, co-creating ocean sounds and the songs of the sea, as one.
 
Both sides of the Suaitiú drum head are botanically dyed with Woad (one of the sacred ritual colours of the Celts), using my version of a resist dye technique named after the Japanese word for 'storm'. I chose this method as I wanted to create an impression of the moon and moonlight reflecting on water, and although the traditional method may be named after a storm, the results are a beautifully serene scene. 

I also love the balance this contains between the resist and the unimpeded flow, I feel it speaks to and visually represents the polarities in all and the invitation for balance, harmony and equilibrium.
 
For those who may be unaware, the Moon influences both the water on this planet (for instance, the tides) and the water within our body (for instance, our emotions). Hence the nod to her with this drum.
 
This beautiful drum has been designed to be hung when not in use, hence the loop built into the hoop. I like the idea of it being a focal point when going within and observing the inner state of water, invoking the calm state of water, or the amplified intuitive virtues of the moon and water. 
 
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. 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, wild native nedicinal plants and crystals are also placed in the water too. The pigments that I work with on the rawhide are from my own Wild Colour Cauldron library of wild native colour, and created from wild native medicinal herbs, the Celtic Trees of the Year, flowers, mushroom, 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 then placed in the custom made drum rack in our dedicated ceremonial space, and carefully monitored as it slowly drys and acclimitizes. 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 a care sheet.
 
For those who feel drawn, the 13 Moon Wild Rose ritual anointing oil is also available to purchase in our store.
 
ORDERING & SHIPPING
The photograph you see here is an example of one of our 'Suaitiú' Ritual Drums. Note that each one will be unique, one of a kind, and have slightly different colours and patterning. You will receive an email from us when we begin to bring through your drum, another when it is fully birthed, and a final one when it has shipped. The drum itself is the one that sets the pace.