One of the most therapeutic things I've ever done is make a dream catcher. It's an amazing magical experience, that is amazingly healing.
There is something ritualistic about weaving string and ribbon around wood, making patterns, losing yourself in the loops you're making. Working with your hands, and rough tools, it's a very organic process.
The History of Dream Catchers;
Dream Catchers are believed to have originated with the Ojibwa people. They believed that the night air is full of both good and bad dreams. When a dream catcher is hung above the place you sleep it moves freely in the night air filtering your dreams. The dream catcher slowly spread throughout various tribes; it wasn't until the 1960s or 70s that it became known throughout all the Native American cultures.
Dream Catchers used to be weaved by the woman of a tribe or household.
The mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs from flexible woods like willow, as an honouring/offering to a goddess like force called 'Spider Woman' who legend said protected their tribal lands. They would hang these dream catchers over the cots of their babies, as well as their own beds. Aiding in peaceful sleep, as well as pleasant dreams.
For me this is very similar to the witches "With Every Stitch A Wish" method. The web like layering of a dream catcher, meant good dreams who knew the way to go, would flow easily through the centre of the catcher, or in other cultures, it was said, they filtered down through the dangling feathers and into the sleeping persons head. Bad dreams however did not know the way, and couldn't navigate the trap, therefore they would get stuck, until the morning sun rose, and burned them into nothingness.
I try to use as natural materials as possible to make my dream catchers. Wood from the forest, or twisted climbing wood from my garden. Twine that can be hand dyed using fruits and such.
Feathers and lace to decorate, crystals and symbols dangling.
Once you've got the basics down, you can get really creative.
As long as you stay rustic, there is no point of perfection, except what's in your minds eye.
It is said that Native Americans often find our modern day dream catchers "an undesirable form of cultural appropriation" - and whilst I do not mean to belittle their opinions, when you are making your own handmade dream catchers, and no one is profiting from them, I fail to see a downside.
Whether you are making one to look pretty on the wall, or you believe in the power they hold over dreams, it doesn't really matter.
These histories can be altered and changed by the people who come and go from this earth, and therefore it makes true origin stories very hard to come by. We are often mis-informed that wearing feathers in our hair is a native American tradition, whilst we know from ancient oral tales and manuscripts, that Vikings and Druids also donned feathers long before Native Americans did.
Both have claim to it, but that doesn't mean they own it, and can stop the other from doing so.
Just because you are not from a culture, doesn't mean that some of it's motifs, gods, elements, will not resonate inside you. Go with what your gut tells you... don't buy into it for the 'cool' factor, feel a pull towards it, and run with it.
Apologises for the political note, but I felt it was important to talk about. I'm fully aware how many people will disagree with me, either because they actually think I am wrong, or because they love being PC.
Let me know if you make your own dream catchers, and post photos or links in the comments, so I can check them out!!
Merry Part,
Jade,
xx
