What are dreamcatchers?

Dream catchers are sacred protection tools. In a way we can say they are a type of talisman. 

Although often dream catchers are sold as mere decorations, they can be much more than that. The dream catcher originated among the Ojibwe people, but over the ages and particularly last century this great tool spread though our many other nations, including some Native nations in Mexico.

However, many times they have become commercial items and have been separated from their meaning, and the spiritual process to make them.

 

The origin myth:

The elders would say that long time ago, the Ojibwe people lived in Turtle Island, and Great Spirit came to take care of them in the form of Asibikaashi—Spider Woman—. She was among them as protector and helper. With her webs, she would protect the people, specially the children from evil things and evils spirits. 

As the population grew, they left the island and spread all over the land. This made it difficult for Asibikaashi to protect all of them at all times. So she talked to the beings in nature, asking them for their help to make a protection tool so that women could take her webs with them to protect their children and their homes.

When Asibikaashi talked to the people of the forest. From among the tree people, Willow said she would sacrifice her branches to help the humans. From among the animal people, Deer said he would sacrifice his leather and sinew to help the humans. The bird people said they would sacrifice their feathers to help the humans. And  finally, The rock people said they would  sacrifice their gems to help the people.

Then Asibikaashi gathered the mothers and sisters and grandmothers, and told them how the other peoples in the land had sacrificed so that their children, their families, and their homes could be protected from evil things and spirits. So, she taught the women how make hoops with the branches of willow, and to weave the web with the sinew of deer, and the gems, and to attach the leather and feathers. And the people once again were able to feel the peace and safety of Asibikaashi, even when she was not physically there with them. 

 

If you step away from modern commercial imagery, we can sse that at the heart of this story we are taught that :

A mother or grandmother cannot remove every danger from a child's world. 

Asibikaashi—Spider Woman—can't physically be everywhere.  So she teaches people to continue the protection themselves, protecting one another. Asibikaashi teaches us the lesson through her web:

• Something delicate can be remarkably strong.
• And the web of healthy relationships that be build, is our safety and protection.
• The sacred stories and sacred tools, are to be handed one generation to the next.

 

So, a dreamcatcher is not an artifact to keep nightmares away. A dreamcatcher is a sacred tool that is build as an act of protection made by someone, thus embodying the love of Asibikaashi for humanity.

 

How is a dream catcher made?

First, asking for the kindness and mercy of our siblings, the tree people, animal people, and mineral people to allow us to use their materials. 

As one shapes the hoop, prayers are said for the people who will be protected by this sacred tool. At each knot of the web, another prayer is said, and that continues until the dream catcher is completed. 

 

Do you sell dream catchers?

Since dreamcatchers are a sacred protection tool, they cannot be sold; it would be highly unethical to sell prayer, and the Divine would not be pleased if we were to do so. 

However, we would gladly accept a voluntyary donation to compensate for materials and the time dedicated to the elaboration of a dream catcher. 

If you need one, please contact us.