The dream catcher is a handmade craft originated from the Native American culture. It is a woven net or web decorated with certain materials such as shells, leather, beads, gemstones, feathers, and so on. As we can agree to not wishing anymore nightmares, here is a little something that is said to save us from our troubles. No, it’s not coffee that will keep us awake, thus away from bad dreams. Maybe it’s the feathers, the intricate design work, or possibly the ancient belief that negative dreams are caught while positive dreams float through. Dreamcatchers originated with the Ojibwe Native American people, and gained in popularity and use during the Pan-Indian movement of the ’60s and ’70s. Some view the dreamcatcher as a symbol of Native American unity and identity, but it has a specific, poignant origin story: According to an ancient Ojibwe legend, there once was a Spider Woman known as Asibikaashi, who took care of the Ojibwe children and people. Eventually, the Ojibwe Nation spread out to the corners of North America and it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. As a result, mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs for the children, using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants. The dreamcatchers would filter out bad dreams and only allow good thoughts to enter their minds…
