What is the dream catcher for? Check EVERYTHING here!

Those who follow trends, for sure, have a dream catcher hanging on their wall or have heard of it. That’s because, before, only those who were adept of some ancestral belief had one, but today, they have become essential pieces in the homes of aficionados of boho-hippie culture.

But did you know that dreamcatchers are amulets of Native American culture created to watch over dreamers and ward off nightmares? It is true that few people really know what the dream catcher is for. In addition to beautiful handcrafted decorative pieces, dream catchers – also known as dream catchers or dream catchers – are mystical and spiritual talismans that carry powerful symbols.

How about figuring out what the dream catcher is for before you hang it around? Here, we teach you everything about this indigenous amulet and, in addition, you learn how to use it in your home.

What is the dream catcher?

The dream catcher is a circle-shaped piece, usually made of wood with threads intertwined inside, forming a kind of spider’s web. From these threads, feathers come out that hang at the bottom, on the outer side of the circle. In addition, there are small beads hanging from the web, inside the circle.

Traditionally, dreamcatchers were made from the fibers of a weeping willow and covered with leather straps by the Ojibwe and Dakotas Amerindians. In fact, they were the ones who introduced the tradition of dream catchers into American and, later, world culture.

It is not surprising that each element of the dream catcher has a meaning and, together, has a mystical and spiritual function. Therefore, the main objective of this amulet is to watch over people when they sleep, purifying negative energies to prevent nightmares from reaching dreamers.

Thus, according to Amerindian legend, the dream catcher should be placed in a place where the sun shines, preferably near a window or beside the bed. The reason behind this is that Amerindians believe that the amulet filters dreams and the sun’s rays eliminate nightmares trapped by the threads of the web.

That way, in case you are suffering from bad dreams, you can count on this amulet to have more peace during sleep. However, it is necessary to know the meaning and what the dream filter is for in order to enjoy all its benefits.

Meaning of dream catcher?

Each element of this amulet, from the circle to the intertwined threads, from the feathers to the hanging beads, has important meanings for you who want to know what the dreamcatcher is for.

the circle: symbolizing the cycle of natural life, so it is made from wood or some other source of nature. It also represents the strength of the sun and moon that crosses the sky every day and every night.

The web: Located at the center of the dreamcatcher, the spider’s web is made to purify energies and keep out nightmares.

The feathers: representing wisdom, dream catcher feathers serve to direct good dreams to dreamers.

The bills: symbolizing the spider itself, the beads are the bad dreams that got stuck in the amulet never to disturb other dreamers again.

What is the dream catcher for?

There are two Native American legends about what the dreamcatcher is for. In general, the two believe that the amulet is a protective shield against nightmares and negative energies.

However, there are some differences as to the ancestral origins and purposes of this traditional amulet. So you don’t get curious, we’ll explain what the dream filter is for according to the Amerindian legends of the Ojibua and Dakota peoples.

What is the dream catcher for according to the Ojibua legend?

For the North American Ojibwe Indians, spiders are seen as symbols of comfort and protection. In this way, according to legend, there was the “spider woman”, a mystical and maternal figure who spiritually protected the soul of the tribe, especially children and babies.

Over time, the tribes began to spread across the United States, and because of this, the “spider woman” began to have difficulties in continuing to protect her children. Therefore, she had the brilliant idea of ​​creating webs in the form of a dream catcher so that the Indians could take their protection wherever they went.

Following the example of the “spider woman”, Ojibua mothers made the dream catcher and hung it by their children’s bedside. When they left home, as adults, they took the filters made by their mothers to protect their dreams.

What is the dream catcher for according to the Dakota legend?

The Dakota people believe that the dream catcher holds the fate of the tribe’s future as the web of their lives. In this way, according to ancient legend, the mystical shamanic figure Iktomi appeared in the form of a spider and weaving his web, he explained his vision to a Dakota spiritual leader.

Talking about the life cycle – in which we start as children, gain autonomy in adult life and end up as elderly people who depend on care as children –, Iktomi says that in each phase there are good and bad forces that move us. These forces can favor or interfere with the natural harmony of life.

Upon reaching the center of his web, Iktomi leaves a hole and explains to the Dakota people that it is necessary to know how to use these forces together with dreams, visions and good ideas to achieve their goals. Then he says that all bad ideas and energies will pass through the hole while the good ones will be caught in the webs of the dream catcher.

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How and where to use the dream catcher?

As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to hang the dream catcher next to a window where the sun shines in the morning. That’s because the solar ray has the power to dissipate the energies and bad dreams that were trapped in the web. There’s nothing better than starting the day with this purification, right?

However, according to Amerindian tradition, the ideal is to place the dream catcher on the bed or crib, on top of the dreamer’s body. In this way, sleep will be protected from nightmares and negative vibrations. In addition, it has a powerful purifying effect that clears the mind not only of bad dreams, but also of pessimistic visions, ideas and thoughts.

As it is also an amulet that represents the cycle of life, you can wear it as a necklace around your neck or even tattoo it on your skin. In this way, you keep your focus on your goals, remembering the balance of antagonistic forces and, still, ensure your mind is clean of bad energies.

How to energize the dream catcher?

Whether hanging by your bed or window, or even close to your body, it’s important to learn how to energize the dream catcher beforehand to reap its full benefits. To do this, just follow the steps below:

1. Start the energizing ritual by lighting an incense of your choice to smoke your dream catcher;
2. As you pass the incense, repeat the following words: “I bless this dreamcatcher in the name of Gaia”;
3. Lay your amulet in nature and let Mother Earth fill you with good energies;
4. Then store it in a natural cotton bag so the energy doesn’t drain;
5. Lastly, hang it in your chosen location and be sure to place crystals and natural elements to facilitate the properties of your dream catcher.

Now that you know what the dream catcher is for and how to use it, it’s time to hang it in your room!