Does anyone use a dreamcatcher?

[AliciaEff]

I don’t really believe in things like dreamcatchers, but I know that Western science can’t explain everything, so it can’t hurt to try. My sister bought me a dreamcatcher made by Indigenous people in Alaska last year and I just put it above my bed two nights ago.

Unfortunately from what I’ve been reading, it’s not actually meant to stop nightmares, but to ensure that your dreams are meaningful. That means if you have a nightmare it’s because it’s there to send a message. Are there any Indigenous people who know more about dreamcatchers? Do different ones have different functions? Has anyone found that theirs has been helpful to stop nightmares? I would be happy to hear your thoughts.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

I only have a non-indigenous experience to share of someone else, as I haven't had a severe nightmare issue myself (knock on wood)...I haven't studied them nor received direct guidance in the use of them, other than being repeatedly told to follow my heart when I inquired...but do feel they are/can be beneficial...just as much as any other belief one may choose to have in things/theories/etc. that are invisible to the naked eye.

I used to make them way back in the day when I had much more patience with beads and such. There was a special one that I made...the very first large one I ever did that was made with sacred feathers I'd been gifted. All the others had been made with craft store feathers.

It used to hang in the closet, as I'd long since redecorated, but didn't want to part with it. I began doing non-medical care-giving work for a gentleman with parkinson's and he complained of having horrible nightmares. The feathers that had been gifted to me when I made that dream catcher were of a bird that he and I both enjoyed the presence of and often saw each time we'd venture out.

I took the dream catcher to his wife to place above his side of the bed. He reportedly never had another nightmare from that night on. Be it placebo effect or actual dream catcher intervention/mojo, it seemed to bring him much relief, as well as his wife, since they were able to get a full night's sleep for a change.

Wishing you relief from whatever it is that's disrupting your nights.

 

[jaay]

I use a dream catcher. I don't particularly believe in dream catcher's abilities to stop nightmares, but they're pretty to look at and a comforting object to have near you. Also, if/ when you do have another nightmare, the textures and shapes of dream catchers are pretty good at getting you grounded.

 

[Friday]

Oh Anansi, weaving words to give voices meaning, and bringing stories to the world. :D

Variations of dream catchers are found all over the world... with different meanings attached to them, by the people who use them. Even in North America there are different meanings depending on which nation / tribe you consult... although the Pan Indian movement (60s & 70s) has blurred a lot of it, because the various meanings were deemed less important than as a symbol of unity amongst diverse peoples.

I learned how to make them as a kid.

 

[shatter eyes]

I use a few. I like them.

 

[ChildofGod]

I have a few too. I never did before but I like what it represents.

 

[Fadeaway]

There is a belief that to catch nightmares you must make it yourself. I need to learn how to make them I guess. I don't remember where I heard that though. So many beautiful ones.

 

[Sideways]

Used one for a while when I was much more open to a whole lot of different approaches to relief.

It looked nice. Did SFA for my dreams and nightmares. But it did give the whole vibe in my bedroom a nice oomph!

 

[shatter eyes]

Not along i saw many dreamcatchers in a store and browsed through them then noticed Made in China. Not to bash China but i did not know even indigenous crafts are being made in China.

I can only imagine the long hours underpaid overworked crafters weaving away so that we can have our nightmares caught. I remember the story of Apple workers in China committing suicide because the conditions were so harsh.

 

[Sighs]

I have one that was hand made specifically for me by a friend who's father was Cherokee. I feel like it helped a bit with getting to sleep but I think its more because it comforts me. Lately I have been having nightmares again so I don't know...

 

[ChildofGod]

I got rid of mine.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Buying and hanging a dream-catcher up, and expecting it to "solve your nightmare issues" yeah...no...not the way I think about things.

I think the power of a spirit guide (for me an Eagle)....is mostly how strongly I believe in it's power and acknowledge it respectfully. So, you might consider making your own dream-catcher using your own energy and time (check out google for directions). While it is in the process of being made , talk to it, tell it your night-time troubles, hang it in a place of significance, look at it before falling asleep and thank it as you fall asleep ( a respect thing-very important in energy). I personally believe in the power of what the mind believes, can help heal. So if you really put your own energy into it's creation, keep faith in it, and you believe it can help, maybe it will.