The Dream Catcher and The Law of Divine Oneness in Manifestation Therapy
Aug 04, 2024
This blog post is going to detail some of the history of the dream catcher, and how it can be used as a symbolic exploration into the intricate web of manifestation and the Universal Principle the Law of Divine Oneness.
To get there first though let’s look at what the dream catcher is symbolic of, and that is a web.
A spider web is a powerful symbol in various aspects of life, spirituality, and the universe. At its core, a spider web represents interconnection, creativity, patience, and the delicate balance between strength and fragility. The meticulous weaving of the web by the spider demonstrates the intricate and intentional process of creation, mirroring the way we can weave our own realities through our thoughts and actions.
The process of a spider weaving its web is a beautiful analogy for the Universal Principles and manifestation. Just as a spider carefully constructs its web with intention and purpose, we too can create our realities by focusing our thoughts, setting clear intentions, and taking deliberate actions.
Each strand of the web represents a step in the manifestation process, illustrating how our individual efforts come together to form a cohesive and functional whole.
The spider starts with a vision of the web it needs to create. Similarly, in Manifestation Therapy, we begin with a clear intention or goal that we want to achieve. We understand the picture of what is needed, the assessment, the goals that are desired, and from that we begin to create intentional action to reach our full potential.
The spider, in weaving its web, acts as a creator, symbolizing the creative force of the universe. This act of creation is a manifestation of divine energy, showing how each thread and connection within the web is an expression of the universal source.The web’s design, with its countless potential patterns and connections, represents the infinite possibilities within the universe. The Law of Divine Oneness implies that within this interconnected reality, there are endless opportunities for creation, growth, and transformation. Each intersection of the web is a point of potential, much like how each moment in our lives holds the possibility for new experiences and growth.
Building the web takes time and patience, reflecting the need for persistence and resilience in the healing and manifestation journey of so many. What we have as dreams require consistent effort and trust in the process.
The web is designed to catch prey, symbolizing how we attract opportunities and experiences aligned with our goals. Synchronicity in other words.
The spider web is also symbolic of the connection to the divine source. The center of the web can be seen as the divine source or the origin of creation, from which all life radiates and interconnects. Each thread of the web represents a pathway or a connection to the divine, emphasizing the idea that all aspects of life are interconnected and originate from the same source.
The spider web represents the Law of Divine Oneness in it’s connection to source, to all life and in the synchronicity of connecting as a unified whole. The Law of Divine Oneness teaches us that all elements of the universe are interconnected. Each part of a spider web is essential for the strength and functionality of the whole web.
If there is a part of the web that is disturbed than the entire structure may feel the impact. Our actions and thoughts can create ripples that affect the whole universe. This interconnectedness means that what we do to others we ultimately do to ourselves, which emphasizes the importance of compassion and empathy.
The spider web functions as a safety net, capturing what is necessary and allowing what is not to pass through. This can be seen as a metaphor for how the universe supports us, providing what we need for our growth and well-being, while filtering out the negative influences. The Law of Divine Oneness emphasizes that we are all supported by the universal web of life, and by trusting in this interconnected support system, we can find greater peace and fulfillment.
History of the Dream Catcher
A dream catcher is a circular object interlaced usually with leather or thread in the form of a web. Often it has dangling strips with beads or feathers that hang beneath. Sometimes there are beading within the webbing itself. It is seen mainly throughout North America.
Other cultures may have some form of symbolism that wards off negative. In North Africa and the Middle East the Hamsa Hand amulet symbolizes the Hand of God and provides protection against the evil eye to bring good fortune. In the Mediterranean and the Middle East many cultures use Evil Eye talismans to protect from negative energy or misfortune. In the Chinese culture Fu symbols are used to attract good luck and ward off evil. There are European cultures that have small pillows they fill with aromatic herbs to promote restful sleep and pleasant dreaming. In the Turkish culture there are Nazars or the Turkish eye amulet to protect against the evil eye and these can be found in homes, cars, workplaces to absorb negative energy and protect. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions there are decoratie gateways referred to as toranas that ward off evil spirits and negative energy similar to the way dream catchers protect from bad dreams.
My own kids each have a dream catcher hanging in their room near their beds. I explain to them that these pretty little webs will catch all the ‘bad’ dreams that may come in the night or those spooky shadows and turn them into positive dreams and protection.
Some say that the dreamcatcher originated from the North American Ojibwe (Chippewa) or Lakota cultures. These delicate hoops are often adorned with woven nets, feathers, and beads hold deep cultural significance.
The Ojibwe people are often credited with the creation of the dream catcher through a spiritual leader Asibikaashi, known as the Spider Woman. This woman was said to protect the tribe by weaving webs over children's beds to capture bad dreams and allow good dreams to pass through.
As the tribe spread across North America, it became difficult for Asibikaashi to continue her protective duties. Thus, the women of the tribe began crafting dream catchers to maintain her protective spirit that they could travel with.
The Lakota people have their own interpretation of the dream catcher. Their legend tells of a spiritual leader who had a vision of Iktomi, the great trickster and teacher spirit, in the form of a spider. Iktomi spoke of the cycles of life, weaving a web while he spoke. The web, with its hole in the center, was meant to catch the good ideas and dreams, while the bad ones would pass through the hole and disappear.
Both are very similar, and both base the dream catcher on the web of a spider.
Dream catchers are traditionally made from a wooden hoop, traditionally willow, onto which a net or web is woven using natural fibers. Feathers and beads are often added as decorations. I have seen dream catchers made from leather, thread, yarn, even paper and crochet.
The shape of the circle symbolizes unity and the cycle of life. Feathers represent breath or air, essential elements for life. The beads or other adornments incorporated into the web are believed to hold the dreams caught during the night.
Originally, dream catchers were attached above the cradles of newborns or to the headboards of children's beds. Over the years, adults also began using them to protect their sleep, placing them above their own beds. I have even seen them dangling in people’s cars hanging on their rearview mirrors.
The Law of Divine Oneness
The Law of Divine Oneness states that everything is interconnected; every thought, action, and event is inextricably linked to everything else. The spider web beautifully illustrates this principle through its intricate design, but let’s go further to use the dream catcher, and it’s perfectly encircled web.
The Law of Divine Oneness teaches us that we are all connected to each other and to the universe. Our actions, thoughts, and emotions have a ripple effect, influencing and shaping the world around us.
The web’s structure shows that even the smallest, seemingly insignificant parts are essential to the integrity and function of the whole. This reflects the idea that every individual, no matter how small or insignificant they may feel, plays a crucial role in the grand tapestry of life.
There are areas of imperfection in a dream catchers webbing, some are stronger areas than others. Some may have the beading designs, others may provide tighter areas to catch what is necessary. In relation to the Law of Divine Oneness, the impact of these weaker areas are parts of the entire system that send ripple effects through the whole, reminding us how each part is important, no matter the strength it seems to be, no matter the size. If one part of the web tears, the entire web could potentially shift and change.
The web as a whole can be seen as a reflection of the divine source, which is the circle that encases the webbing. Every part of the universe is an expression of the divine, every part of the web is an expression of the circle hold. This reinforces the concept that by recognizing our interconnectedness, we can align ourselves more closely with the divine source and the universal flow of energy. We are all connected to the greater source and to each other.
Each web within represents each of us in the bigger whole. Each web could also represent every thought we have, which shifts and bends to our emotional experiences, and develops holes or protection through our body experiences that influence our behaviours, which are represented in how the webbing can catch or release what comes.
If you are a visual learner, the dream catcher is a perfect example of how to understand the Law of Divine Oneness, and to relay this law to your place in the universe, or how your own system is it’s own interconnection of thoughts, feelings, and somatic experiences to lead into action and behaviours.
The history and symbolism of dream catchers offer profound insights into the principles of manifestation and the Law of Divine Oneness. By understanding and embracing these lessons, we can align ourselves more closely with the universal flow and create a life that reflects our deepest desires and highest potential. A78s we honor the traditions from which dream catchers originate, we also learn to weave our own webs of reality, connecting with the divine source and the intricate tapestry of life.
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