The Serpent’s Gift
 
Throughout the whole of the world for thousands of years the Serpent has been such a powerful and important being. For healing, wisdom, fertility and sexuality, life and death and transformation, just to name a few of her precious gifts. Just as the Serpent sheds her skin, I too am in the process of doing so and the creation of this flute has been very much a part of that. It is no easy process but in doing so I am gaining so much more than I ever imagined. This flute was so eager to sing right from her first song of just one note. As she began to find her voice the songs and sounds we played together were constantly evolving and changing. Growing and learning we have both been on a journey of rebirth. Her voice now is one of joy and clarity and ease. There are many colours on this flute and the meaning of them was part of the gift I received as I began to shed this old skin. A snakes eyes will often turn blue just before they shed their skin and so the eyes of her totem are of blue Turquoise. There are 7 yellow spots on the body of the totem and these represent the four sacred directions, the centre, Father Sky and Mother Earth. They are all yellow in praise of the East. The direction of new growth and rebirth and the rising Sun. The stone inlays going around the flute represent the four sacred directions. The white for north is Pearl. The yellow for east is Jasper. The black for south is Onyx and the red for west is Jasper. The inlays at the foot of this flute as well as the coloured twine wrappings are symbolic to me of the Earth, Sky and Sea as well as the Upper Lower and Middle realms of the Shamanic world. It is my hope that the songs of this flute will always shine a light for all who play and hear her to more clearly see what lies ahead on this incredible journey of life. In honour of all that she gives, I name this flute The Serpent’s Gift.
 
She is in the key of E4 at 432Hz and is 61cm (24”). The offset holes can be played by either a right or left handed person but those who play with their right hand at the foot of the flute will find her very comfortable to play. She is made of white bamboo. I use a combination of burning, sanding and polishing which gives each of these flutes a wonderful smooth finish and unique colour pattern. She has 6 finger holes and is tuned to a pentatonic minor scale.The Totem is made from Walnut which has been collected in the forest by my father to make his own beautiful objects. It is held in place with leather lace from North American Whitetail Deer hide. The red, green and and blue lashing is of waxed cotton whipping cord and the natural colour lashing at either end is artificial sinew.The feathers are tied on with leather cord and they are from Magpie and Buzzard and Crow and as always were found while I am walking with Mother Nature of gifted to me by friends.
 
Find the music within yourself!