Dreamcatcher History

Dreamcatcher History

Description: 

Traditionally made from a willow hoop and found materials such as feathers. A dreamcatcher is a protection charm known for catching the bad dreams and allowing the good dreams to flow down into the dreams of the sleeper. 

History:

Dreamcatcher history originated within the Objiwa and Lakota cultures. In the Lakota culture it is said that the great teacher Iktomi appeared to the village elder as a spider upon a mountaintop. Iktomi explained to the elder about the cycle of life while spinning his web upon a willow hoop. He said if you believe in the Great Spirit the hoop will allow good dreams to flow through the web and bad dreams to be caught. Allowing his people to seek wisdom and protection from this hoop, known as a dreamcatcher. In the Objiwa culture dreamcatchers were predominantly used for infants for protection.

Symbolism:

Traditionally there are 2 version of the web of a dreamcatcher, where the web connects with the hoop. 8 points and 7 points, 8 points representing the spider woman and 7 representing the 7 epochs of North America. Feathers are a representation of the breath or spirit, since birds are closely related to these elements being of air. Other adornments are added based on what the maker has found or created themselves. Beads are also a common adornment.

I wanted to take some time now and write a description of my shop and my intentions...

Candaleria

I have a profound admiration for the dreamcatcher lore and usage. I do not intend to appropriate Native American culture, I intend to honor the many cultures in my own way. I also understand that my knowledge and understanding is something that always needs to be exercised, you can never stop learning especially the things you are most passionate about. I do not know much about my own lineage since most of my family history is lost, but one thing my great great grandmother use to tell me was that we had Native American blood. She always had amazing stories to tell me, which I always thought were fairy tales, so I have had to do a lot of my own research. One thing that always resigned in me was the power of dreams and dream interpretation, one thing my great great grandmother always talked about. So much that all through grade school I wrote all my science projects on the history and interpretation of dreams. I myself suffer from nightmares and sleep paralysis. Something that is also very real for me is astral projection. All of these things are issues that other people suffer from, these problems often begin in childhood and can last all the way into adulthood. However, this is also something that can be stopped! 

What I intend to do is channel my own positive psychic energy to create dreamcatchers that are unique in its design and spirit to each individual who seeks one either for themselves or others. 

Each of my own children has a dreamcatcher and since creating their own they have never had a nightmare. It starts with believing. Our mind and body listen to each other, when you have complete confidence in the power of the dreamcatcher to act as an aid in your own channeling, it works! 

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dreamcatcher

http://aktalakota.stjo.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8820 

http://www.dream-catchers.org

http://dreamcatcher.com/Dream-Catcher-Legend.php