If you are a sound healer you have probably used a rain stick during group sound baths or private sessions.
For those of you not familiar with a rainstick, it is a percussion instrument that mimics the sound of rain when turned over. It’s a long, hollow tube with small pins or thorns inside that are arranged in a spiral. When the rainstick is turned upside down, small objects like pebbles, seeds, or dried beans fall through the tube and bounce off the spikes, creating a sound similar to raindrops.
Although I have found that my clients don’t find the sound of a rain stick soothing like real rain. I actually don’t find it soothing either. I find that the sound of a rainstick reminds me of the sound that insects make in horror movies.
When I use a rain stick in energy therapy sessions, I am using it intentionally to move and disperse stuck energy – which can be uncomfortable at times for the receiver. I’ve heard from another subtle energy worker who uses the rain stick and shakers to drive away negative spirits. The lady in the link says that spirits don’t like the sound. That video is pretty interesting and worth a watch if you are interested in energetic attachments.
When I was in Bali for my Module 2 Sound Healing Training by Sound Healing Bali, I got to use what they called a Glug Glug. (I highly recommend their sound healing training.) It is a handmade instrument made with stacks of pop cans, filled with water to create the sound of flowing water. Now this was a water sound I could get excited about. One of my teacher’s students made it, but no one knew how he did it. I loved it so much that I decided to make one, enlisting the help of ChatGPT to find the right glue.
NOTE: the glue ChatGPT turned to rubber and failed so you can’t always trust AI! The glue I found works in wet situations and is also flexible which is important for this scenario.
If you want to make one y0urself, read on for directions. 🙂
Step 1 Collect your materials etc. I’ve included links to some of the materials I bought on Amazon.
-5 empty broth soup cans. These cans should have a male / female end so they are stackable and fit snuggly together. I found coconut water cans are also rigid but I haven’t made any water sticks with them yet as the male / female ends aren’t really snug and they are really large. Also, do not use cans with anything other than broth, as you won’t be able to drain the cans. NOTE: I tried to make this with pop cans and they are too crushable and break apart eventually.
–Metal Repair Glue Make sure to get a glue that is meant for metal plumbing repairs. I tried a multi-purpose epoxy originally and it turned to rubber and eventually failed. 🙁This one has been working great so far. It’s made for boat repairs. The name is West System G/Flex (2-4oz) 650-8 with Mixing Sticks in case you don’t have access to Amazon USA.
–Fun duct tape , spray paint or acrylic paint for decoration
-Water
-Cardboard
-Popsicle stick
-Measuring Cup
-Paring Knife
-Pliers
-Sand paper 120 grit or less
-Level surface
-Well ventilated room – outside is preferable.
Step 2
Remove the label and any glue with acetone or goo gone.
Step 3
Label your cans 1-5 with 1 being the bottom can and 5 being the top can.
Step 4
Puncture the cans on 4 of the cans on the male end and 1 can on the female end. The female end is the end that the male end stacks onto. I used the end of a paring knife to make this hole by using my hand to hammer on the end of the knive’s handle. I added 4 slots in a cross shape. Be careful. If you aren’t comfortable with knives or working with sharp things – you probably should get someone else who is to do this part. Don’t touch this with your finger as it will be sharp.
Use pliers to open it for greater liquid flow.
Step 5
Empty the broth into a container so you can use it later.
Step 6
Wash the cans the best you can with hot soapy water. I shook them a lot till they seemed sufficiently clean.
Step 7
Puncture cans 2, 3 and 4 on the female end. You should now have 3 cans with punctures on both ends and 1 can with a female end puncture and 1 can with a male end puncture.
Step 8
Sand the perimeter of the ends with sand paper. You are scratching them up so the epoxy will stick better.
Step 9
Make sure the cans have no moisture on the outside by wiping with a towel. Moisture will make the next step a challenge although this epoxy is supposed to be able to work even in damp situations.
Step 10
Mix your epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I used some cardboard from recycling and a popsicle stick to stir it.
Step 11
Starting with can 1, your bottom can, apply epoxy to the rim which will be a female end with a hole in it.
Continue to apply the epoxy to the female end until you have stacked can 4. Be gentle like a ninja. If you bump it, it will come crashing down and epoxy glue is not friendly for clean freaks. Without adding can 5, leave it to dry for 3 hours. Make sure it’s in a safe place where animals or clumsy humans won’t knock it over.
NOTE: Even though this epoxy says it works in wet conditions, I just think it’s better for it to be more sturdy before adding the water.
Step 12
Have a look at your stack of cans. Is it crooked? This is the time to adjust it. Is epoxy dripping? You can wipe this off with some paper towel or a rag that can be tossed in the garbage.
Step 13
I like to fill mine with around 1.75x a can of water. For example – I use 5x 500ml cans. I would fill them with 500×1.75=875ml of water. This is enough to create some nice water sounds including the glug glug sound.
Optional: Try blessing the water, stirring it with a crystal wand or placing the water in one of your favorite singing bowls to give it special energy before you add it to your cans.
Step 14
Time to add the last can, can 5! Add epoxy to can 4’s female end and stack can 5 on it.
Step 15
Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 16
Time to decorate! I spray painted mine. You can decorate however you want, with duct tape, acrylic paint, feathers or glitter.
I hope you like it! I love using this water stick in private sessions, guiding the client to gently wash away stress, or negative energy. This sound is absolutely soothing. The receivers in sound baths love it too! You can get up close and it sounds like a babbling brook. Here is a link to a video of it with the sound. Water Stick or Glug Glug Sound Healing Instrument – YouTube 🙂