Child Guard: The Filter Of Dreams
The dream filter was designed as a spell against evil spirits. Mirko Badiale once said: “ A sign should be placed on each child that says: be careful, it contains dreams”.
For this reason, today we are going to talk about the importance of taking care of your children’s rest and this very particular sacred object.
These days, dream filters have become very popular. These traditional beauties are handcrafted based on colored threads, feathers, grains, willow or cedar branches and a hoop. Given its purpose, its characteristic place was in the cradles of the little ones.
Bohemian-style celebrities have joined the trend of putting dream filters in their homes.
The origin of the dream filter
For Native Americans, dream filters have more than one meaning. For example, for the Ojibwa they symbolize the movement of the sun. For the Lakota, they are circles of protection that represent the cycles of life.
There are other peoples like the Sioux who understand their “magic” differently. They believe that bad things and bad dreams are trapped in the core network. While, through the feathers and inferior grains, the sweet dreams slip into the children’s minds.
During the 60’s and 70’s they became popular as souvenirs. They even became an element of cultural identification under which the various indigenous peoples of North America united.
The legend
When the world was young, humans were still in contact with the gods. One of the people who used to maintain regular communication with the spirit world was the Lakota tribe.
One morning, the spiritual leader of the tribe had a vision of Iktomi, the master of wisdom. In the form of a spider, he spoke in a sacred language that only the Lakota could understand.
While Iktomi was talking, he was collecting feathers, hair, colored beads and other offerings. He talked about the cycles of life and the importance of caring for children.
Iktomi explained that childhood determines adulthood and that, therefore, we must weave strong alliances, great knowledge and solid roots during this period. Look at my cloth and lay it on your children’s crib from now on , added the spider-shaped master.
“Look, old man,” he said as he made the sacred object. ” This net forms a perfect circle, but there is a hole in it.” Everything will pass through here. However, only the noble things will remain. When dawn comes, evil will burn with the first ray of light. It will disappear forever.
Iktomi later gave the dream filter to the old leader and told him to do more and that each child should sleep with one over their head. He also asked him to convey this advice among his people and other peoples.
The filter of dreams and children
Nowadays, dream filters can be commonly found hanging in the entrances of houses. They are also usually placed near windows.
Many women consider them to symbolize “thresholds” of passage. In them, we move from the conscious world to the dream stage, where the boundary extends between our home and the outside. Others consider them to be symbols of protection.
Also, there are those who consider that dream filters are ways to motivate us to dream big, to pursue our dreams and make them come true in this life. This particular focus is extremely inspiring.
To honor tradition, we place them at the head of our children’s cribs or beds. But not directly over your head. It is always best to place them on the wall, establishing a safe distance. Remember that they must be installed in such a way that they do not fall.
Finally, we want to give you an idea: create your own dream filter with your kids. This craft is in fashion at parties and gatherings for children.
It will always be prettier if our kids have one of these self-made objects or – why not? – made with their own help if age permits. Without a doubt, the experience is as fascinating as it is special.
