(graphic character: http://clipart.nicubunu.ro/)
This section is about...
- the Drum Stories,
- the term "Lightning-Struck,"
- Prices,
- Drum Heads,
- Feathers,
- Stones,
- And a statement about guarantees.
While I much prefer to be in my drum making shop or in shamanic service or ceremony with someone– instances I see as representing joyful opportunities for learning, spiritual connection and expression– I am finding increasing joy in operating my small drum business. It, too, offers ways of learning, connecting with and expressing spiritual principles. I hope this congruence is apparent here, as it is my desire to be absolutely certain that you know what you are buying when you get a Thunder Valley Drum.
About the Drum Stories
Over the many months it takes to help a traumatized, lightning-struck piece of wood to become a drum, or part of a drum, I begin to truly bond with it, much I guess as any healer may become attached to a likable, recovering patient. I often journey with the would-be drum in mind, and at other times I simply concentrate deeply on it as part of its “therapy.” This generally results in the formation of a “story” about it that, while fictional in many instances (though sometimes I wonder if the drum isn’t actually dictating to me), does seem to fit its personality and even occasionally helps reveal a mystery to me. I include the stories on this site, then, not always as fact but as context to help you see them in ways familiar to a shaman. I believe it will be easy for you to tell the difference between the fictional stories and the ones which simply relate what was going through my mind while helping a particular drum reincarnate from its initial trauma as damaged tree into living drum.
About “Lightning-Stuck”
(See/Hear Sacred Lightning-Struck Drums) I used to live in a mountainous area in West Virginia that seemed to attract lightning. I’ve seen some real “doozies,” as we used to say back in the hills, when the bolts would scatter across the sky like wicked fingers before dashing to the ground in blistering streaks. A tornado and a phalanx of lightning once ripped through our farm, blasting trees and tearing the timbers and boards from the spine of our barn like vicious animals attacking weakened prey. It seemed we were always removing wild cherry trees and limbs downed by lightning and winds from the tree-lined fields where our cattle grazed, as wilting cherry leaves were poisonous to them.
On many occasions lightning found mischief to be done around my own house when I became an adult. I had several ponds around the place, and the water seemed to draw down lightning like a conjurer. Strikes happened all the time! I once lost a TV, telephone, refrigerator, answering machine, VCR recorder, an entire length of electric line extending to an exterior light in the yard, and one of the largest, most beautiful silver maple trees on the planet from one bone-jarring strike. I made drums from that tree, including my personal drum.
No use going on. The point is, I’m familiar with lightning, and I know what it can do. Specifically, I know it when I see it, and I know it by where it’s been, particularly in a tree.
Over time I’ve learned a lot about lightning, but the most surprising thing I’ve learned is that it is sacred.
As shamanism became more and more important to me, I became more and more interested in the healing powers residing in those things around us, like lightning-struck trees. So I have come to use lightning-struck wood in every drum I make.
Some downed trees and stumps I find in the woods have been there a long time before discovery, and it is often hard to tell for sure if lightning was a cause or a contributor to a tree’s demise. In the case of some, it is difficult to tell whether lightning was involved at all. There are tell-tale signs, like a long stripe of bark missing alongside the trunk, exploded tops or parts, splayed roots (in newer strikes), and so forth. And then, of course, there is usually another man along with me who has spent 30 years as a lumberjack, and who knows about all there is to know of lightning in trees. So his opinion is reflected in these pages, as well. But unless I know for sure, I will describe a drum as appearing to have been part of a struck tree, and base that on long experience of observing trees I knew had been struck. When I know one to be struck, I will say so.
I have no wish to further complicate matters, but there is also a category of "Hoop Drums" that are not lightning-struck, but that feature lightning-struck adornments and other special components. The frames are made elsewhere and must meet my standards for exceptional craftsmanship and durability before I use them. You will find them to be more economical because I didn’t have to spend months locating, rehabilitating and otherwise turning them into drums.
One thing is certain, in the shamanic sense, every drum I make and offer for sale is connected with lightning, because nearly all adornments, tie-downs, carvings, and splices I use in a drum come from wood I know to have originated from a lightning-struck tree, as you will see reflected in the various descriptions. In a sense, then, every drum is lightning-struck, as sure as a graft of one tree onto another becomes unified into one, often resulting in sweeter fruit.
What really turns these into healing drums are the sparks of your intentions and a familiarity with what to do with them in a shamanic context. In addition to the many other mystical attributes a shaman may connect with lightning, in my eyes it is primarily seen as a helper that can light the way while energizing your intention to be of service when the drum is activated in ceremony. A more refined principle in action that is sometimes required during a healing session actually unites a high energy charge of one’s intention with the intrinsic awesome power of lightning into a brilliant healing laser beam. Powerful stuff.
About Prices
Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars. I ask that International customers call or send email to inquire about prices and shipping costs before ordering.
Generally, those who have purchased drums tell me they are completely satisfied, particularly with the quality, uniqueness, craftsmanship and durability of their drums, and with the price. As I have devoted the remaining days of my life in service to others through shamanism, these drums provide much needed income. The hoop drums are less costly to make and thus are less costly for you.
About the “Lids” (drum heads)
Thus far, all lightning-struck drums offered here feature goatskin drum heads or “lids.” The straight forward reason for this is that goatskin, being somewhat thin, gives more sound per square inch than other thicker skins. Some (but certainly not all) of these lightning-struck drums tend toward the small side, or are irregular in shape, and goatskin allows for maximum sound and flexibility in fitting to an irregular shape.
Now, I know, some will go on and on about why they prefer this or that skin. Others want to point out that goat goes “soft” when it’s humid. Well, the fact is, any natural skin goes south with high humidity. And that’s why I’ve explained elsewhere that you will need a hairdryer or some other drying source (like scooting a bit closer to the camp fire for a few minutes if you’re playing the drum outside in high humidity or when the dew is falling) to keep them optimally tuned. This is true of any natural skin.
Though goat is thin, it is tough, and will last a long time (so long as you don’t set it in the sun, as with most other natural skin tops), as long as the others. I’ve used goat on my personal drum for many, many years, and not needed to replace it.
The hoop drums have the thicker (and paradoxically less expensive) rawhide skins on them, and eventually, I’ll offer alternatives, like deer, buffalo and the like. I’ll probably never offer synthetics, though –it just doesn’t seem right to use such on these precious drums. I much prefer the natural sound.
About the Feathers
Most wild birds and their feathers are protected by some law or the other, a good idea. Anyway, I seldom attach feathers, and when I do, I use only legal feathers purchased from a couple of different companies. The feathers I purchase, according to the companies, are from non-protected domestic geese/chickens etc. and are painted by artisans to resemble those of certain other birds, like eagles, hawks, etc.
Stones
The company which sold the stones I use on these drums gave assurance that the stones are actual “gem quality,” and thus the use of the term in the various descriptions you’ll find on this site. However, I make no representation, direct, implied or otherwise, as to the value or even to the authenticity of these stones. I am no gem expert. The real value I see in these and other “ornamentals” is as enhancement to a drum’s appearance, and more importantly, as symbolic and tangible items capable of representing and focusing a healer’s energies and intentions with those of a greater healing force. It is akin to any healing aid a shaman uses–for example, a drum. While it may appear to be but wood and skin and ornament, it is seen by a shaman to be a trusted friend who responds with the intention of helping others. Today, countless shamans, as did many of the original Siberian shamans long ago, see their drums as horses or other conveyances capable of taking them to spiritual realms where healing can be obtained for people who suffer.
Guarantee (or lack thereof)
How or what could one possibly guarantee about a drum made from what remains of a tree practically destroyed by lightning or by the other harsh elements of nature that assault wood, sometimes for years? To put it simply, I don’t know how long these drums will last, though I’ve yet to see a frame crack open. I do reinforce frames with internal cross hatched supports when necessary, and apply special penetrating oils as needed to help strengthen the wood’s cells, so your drum should be fine in that regard.
I’m not sure about the lifespan of the goatskin or rawhide or other natural skin drum heads, because I’ve never had one fail, with the exception of the time I was driving across the California desert in an old van with a faltering air conditioner and heard something in the back go “twi-i-i-i-n-g!” A minute or two later, an identical sound caused me to pull over to the side of the road. What relief I felt when I discovered the venerable van hadn’t suffered a mechanical failure, and rather that two pieces of rawhide lacing holding down a goatskin drum head had popped from the heat. So it wasn’t the skin, but the lacing. (Instructions for drum care are provided with each drum you buy.) So unless you drive old cars in desert heat with questionable air conditioning, or leave your drum in direct hot sun or the freezing cold for an extended period, you shouldn’t have to worry about the heads. Given that they are natural products, however, they will fail at some time in the future, no doubt about it. It is normal to need to replace drum heads, just like it is normal to need to replace tires on your car or an occasional worn out tooth or part of your body.
While some people may like to buy a drum as an art investment, a worthy and laudable goal, these drums are also made to play…and play…and play- indoors or out- and if you are so inclined, the drum is ready to help you experience shamanic journeys and/or to be of service to others through shamanic or any other healing techniques that may rely on drumming.
But I make no guarantee, either expressly or implied, relating to these lightning-struck or hoop drums, rattles,or lightning sticks except to say and imply that they are most enjoyable to play and use. Being that I am a reasonable person, though, I can repair or replace about anything that would fail or wear out on your drum, including the frame, for a fair price, and sometimes for free (though shipping will be your responsibility), depending on the situation.
Rather than worry about your drum when you get it, just go ahead and enjoy it! It is sure ready to serve your needs!
Please read the separate guarantee for the jewelry on the jewelry pages.
Once again, I sincerely thank you for visiting Thunder Valley Drums.
Aho and Namaste.
All original material on this Web site, including photography, graphic images and writing are © Copyright, 2009-10, Thunder Valley Drums. Others’ work appearing here is with permission.
Each lightning-struck drum, hoop drum, lightning stick, rattle and piece of jewelry is totally unique, the only one of its kind in the world. Just like you.
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