What Dream Catchers Do...
It's dark. The night air is filled with dreams...good and bad! A dream catcher is hanging close to the cradle or bed, swaying in the night breezes. Dreams must pass through it to get to the sleeper. Bad ones get tangled in the web, but the good ones know how to pass through the center hole and glide down the feathers. The morning sun shines on it and the bad dreams caught in its web "expire".
Info snippet: Did you know... The dream catcher originated
with the Ojibway (Chippewa) tribe.
These "charms" of twigs, sinew, and feathers have been woven since ancient times by Ojibwe (Chippewa) people. They were woven by the parents or grandparents for newborn children and hung above the cradleboard to allow the infants peaceful, beautiful dreams. The Ojibway would tie either sinew or nettle-stalk cord dyed red in a web around a small, red willow round frame, decorated with feathers and beads, then hang it protect their sleeping children. There are eight (8) connections from the center to the hoop - a spider has 8 legs. There are also examples of catchers having seven (7) for the Seven Prophecies. The slightest movement of the feathers would indicate the passage of another beautiful dream.
It was traditional to put a feather in the center; it means breath or air - essential for life. The baby would be entertained watching the feather, but he/she would also learn that air is essential for life. The feathers used are different between boys and girls - the woman's feather is from the owl, signifying widsom. The eagle feather is for courage - a man's feather. Native Americans are very specific about gender roles and identity.
Info snippet: Did you know... Dream catchers for infants generally dry out - they are not meant to last, just like youth is temporary.
Dreams catchers crafted today may have 4 stones/gems rather than the feathers - some species are protected. The four gem stones represent the four directions. Finally, adult dream catchers do not use feathers.
