The Story behind the Dream catcher
Over the years i have seen many dreamcatchers, it's so universal. I have come across them in pretty much every country i have visited! Some so jaw droopingly beautiful. Its hard to believe my house isn't full of them...
These days Dream Catchers are not only used for driving away all the negative dreams and forces, but they are greatly used for room decoration purpose also. A well designed, Traditional dream catcher can add a great sense of sophistication, beauty and boho sheek to your room, Whilst at the same time, it brings a positive environment in to your home!
But honestly aside from them catching bad dreams, i never really delved into the history behind this hanging beauty. And i am bewildered as to what i have learnt.
As we all know it. The dream catcher is meant to protect sleepers by catching the bad dreams, whilst letting good dreams sieve through the holes of its iconic web style form.
However...
It is not just designed to catch bad dreams. It is believed that this spiritual process is performed at night and was founded by non other that the Red Native Indians. They got the technique from that of the web of the spider. During the time of the ritual process which typically happens at night, prayers are performed whilst tying.
Why the night time?
Well, night is the time when veil between spirit world and humans is at its lightest form.The prayer performed while tying the dream catcher is very powerful, thus making the dream catcher work efficiently at night ,as it is imbued with the spirit of the night realm and its helpers.
As the dreamcatcher has been passed onto different cultures in different parts of the world, via trade or intermarriage. The meaning of it has differed, yet similar values. Depending in which society you are from...
Like that of being associated with a Trickster god, Iktomi said as he continued to spin his web, "in each time of life there are many forces - some good and some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction. But, if you listen to the bad forces, they will hurt you and steer you in the wrong direction." Read more about this History here.
In others they mean the 'web of life' with its many good and bad choices. The dream catcher is meant to filter the bad ideas of society from the good, leading the people to achieve their dreams and visions.
So, Fast forward to the 21st century, we have to be mindful of where this art originated from, take it for all its glory. When you see a dream it needs to be approached in a way that respects the history and culture behind the craft and recognizes the artisan.
How and where to place your dream catcher
A dream catcher is hung or placed at the head of the bed and according to the traditional belief, the use of dream catcher is to catch all the negative thoughts, energies and dreams for it allows only positive energies and thoughts to flow in. Positive dreams Slip through the outer holes and down past the soft feathers so gentle many times the sleeper does not even know they are dreaming. The bad dreams get tangled and In the morning, the light of the sun subsequently eliminates all the dark energies of the dream catcher.
Hanging dream catchers can be a beautiful way to honor the people whose rich tapestry of beliefs carpeted this land long before European settlement!
So if your looking for Inspiration.. Here is a whole Pinterst board full of Traditional and beautiful Dream catchers!