Rhythm - We begin with the sound and form of rhythm of our mother' s heartbeat while in the womb. From that very first rhythmic heartbeat, rhythm guides our lives. All seasonal celebrations involve allowing various rhythms to move through our breath, our singing, our instruments, Celebrating the Solstice is joining our rhythms with the rhythmic change of Mother Earth and encircling her with love.

The Drum - When played is often called "returning to the heartbeat of Mother Earth." Drum returns us to her as her children, and during the Solstice, as with Earth, we know the time of outer darkness shall shift and Earth and us be warmed by Sun Above Drumming also connects us with our deeper selves and other visionary realms. With rhythmic beat, we enter trance like states of consciousness that can bring deep healing for ourselves, for our world.

Rattle - Like falling rain, Rattles purify and cleanse. Filled with Creator's seeds, we rattle to awaken all that wishes to flourish both within ourselves and all creation around us. Rattling is said to 'quicken the spirit' so we awake to the potential seeds of creation we are carrying and had not even realized.

Singing and Chanting - Is a universal healing salve. Our individual sound awakens our inner spirit; our voice joins with others -- carried on the wind; we become One Voice, One People. In the Sky sings the Celestial Choir; on the Earth sing we - uniting Earth and Sky as One. Thus, creating within us both Earth and Sky which is why some tribes speak of humans as Walking Stars.'

Flute - The power of the rhythm comes from the breath as the flute player allows wind and spirit to move through their breath. Fluting is said to lure and enchant all nature spirits and to awaken our own sense of enchantment too. Called the 'instrument of lovers,' by some tribes, it lures us into loving more ourselves, expressing love for others, and for Earth herself.

Singing Bowls - Another powerful healing instrument of sacred sound. Each bowl brings its own unique healing tone within any given ceremony. The Tibetan bowls balance the chakras and allow release of blockages. Hearing the bowls singing can awaken us to the purest of sounds within oneself and within a community and following the trail of sound as the Bowl ceases singing, we enter the Silence where we hear the ineffable Sound called the Place of No Sound from which all vibrations entered the world.

Fringe Mask/Eye Curtain - Fringes are considered extensions to and from spirits - they indicate how our soul has trails of luminosity, seemingly invisible, connecting us to the Source of Divine Love. Wearing a Fringe Mask helps to alter consciousness and experience these trails to the Mystery, the Source. Both mystical paths in Native American and Judaic traditions calls these fringes, "Threads of Light" whether on the Masks (Eye Curtains), on other ceremonial clothing such as the Jewish Tzitzith.