DREAM CATCHER'S

This post is about DREAM CATCHERS, some of you might have heard about it and some of you not and some might be having one.

The other day I was on Instagram and got this follow request from a page of  Handmade Dream Catcher's ( cannot specify the name ).

I was instantly mesmerised by them and have even ordered one. 

They are cheap and are good for your room decorative.

They can be made into any form like a keyring, wall hanging, wind chimes, earrings, etc. They were rather are so beautiful and unique. They hold there own charm. Beautifully made and a lot of efforts for sure must have gone in the creation of it.

NO! they aren't Indian, they are Native American. There lies a story behind them (Read below). After getting through the Instagram page ,I searched about it on Google ( our saviour :P ) to know more about it. ( as I'm way too inquisitive about things I don't know about). There's a lot been said and told about these beautiful and awestruck creation by man. They have there own importance and here's what I came to know about them.

DREAM CATCHER

In some Native American Cultures, Dream Catcher is an handmade object based on a willow hoop, on which is woven a loose net or web. Then the Dream Catcher is decorated with some sacred items such as feathers and beads.

HISTORY & LEGEND

Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the centre of the dream catcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them.

The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of Native American dream catcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some Native Americans of North America held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolised strength and unity. Many symbols started around the hoop, and one of these symbols is the dream catcher.

DREAM CATCHER LORE

Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and slide down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams not knowing the way get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of the new day.

HOW THE DREAM CATCHER IS MADE?

Using a hoop of willow, and decorating it with findings, bits and pieces of everyday life, (feathers, arrow heads, beads, etc) the dream catcher is believed to have the power to catch all of a person’s dreams, trapping the bad ones, and letting only the good dreams pass through the dream catcher.

WHAT IS A DREAM CATCHER?

Dream catchers are arts and crafts of the Native American people. The original web dream catcher of the Ojibwa was intended to teach natural wisdom. Nature is a profound teacher. Dream catchers of twigs, sinew, and feathers have been woven since ancient times by Ojibwa people. They were woven by the grandfathers and grandmothers for newborn children and hung above the cradle board to give the infants peaceful, beautiful dreams. The night air is filled with dreams. Good dreams are clear and know the way to the dreamer, descending through the feathers. The slightest movement of the feathers indicated the passage of yet another beautiful dream. Bad dreams, however, are confused and confusing. They cannot find their way through the web and are trapped there until the sun rises and evaporates them like the morning dew.

Originally the Native American dream catcher was woven on twigs of the red willow using thread from the stalk of the stinging nettle. The red willow and twigs from other trees of the willow family, as well as red twig dogwood can be found in many parts of the United States. These twigs are gathered fresh and dried in a circle or pulled into a spiral shape depending upon their intended use. They used natural feathers and semi-precious gemstone, one gemstone to each web because there is only one creator in the web of life.

DREAM CATCHER RITUAL CEREMONY

There are many ways to celebrate a dream catcher. It is suggested that you initiate your dream catcher through a ritual ceremony. Rituals have great meaning and can put your mind and thoughts into action. Your dream catcher can become one with your feelings and perform the way you want it to.

Once you have decided where to hang your dream catcher, it is time to perform the ceremony that will enable it to work properly in your home or living space.

It is suggested that for the ceremony sage is lit and its smoke is used to cleanse the house. With the sage letting out its smoke, offer up a prayer for your dream catcher and what you wish for it to bless your home. Become one with the dream catcher and allow yourself to visualise what the dream catcher is there to protect. End your ceremony by thanking your dream catcher and feel it ready to bless your home.

You are ready to place your dream catcher in the chose spot to hang over and protect your home, family, or thoughts. You may choose to celebrate your dream catcher in this way or through other ways by your own choosing. There is an ancient ritual of the dream catcher called, Smudging. This is a powerful way to initiate and bless your dream catcher. However you choose to perform your ceremony of hanging a dream catcher, make sure you are one with it so it may work the best for you.

MY TAKE ON DREAM CATCHER's:

I believe one should be an owner of a Dream Catcher. They are a charm. The positivity they bring is something every one of us need. I’m not asking to be pessimist or believe in super natural powers but just a deviation from pessimism. They are something that can fresh in our mood because they are so beautiful and loving. Gives us the vibes of being optimist and fun loving. In today’s fast forward world where lives have lost in between competition, dream catchers are the ultimate way to rejuvenate your self. Life’s short so why regret, move on and get a dream catcher and live life to the fullest.

Dreams! They have kept us alive. They are the only hope in our lives. From day dreaming to night dreaming, they come whenever they want and vanish within a fraction of seconds. Dreaming is the goal to success. If you don’t dream you cannot reach your desired goals. It’s fascinating and mesmerising. Dreams are the one which makes us live our life. Without dreams life would be hallow. Every one of us Dreams. Some dream to be big and some to gain big. Everyone has their own dreams. Some are negative and some are positive but the common thing is that we all dream. For no dreams, there is no life. You Dream once, live once, regret once, so rather than regretting dream and live your life. for only one dream can change your entire life. One dream can change your life, so DREAM, dream to live.

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Image Source : Google

Content Source : dream-catcher.org and Wikipedia

©RushaliThukral