Dreamcatchers are made of natural clay.
Due to their lovely aesthetic qualities, they’re popular decorative ornaments. However, they’re also known to be harmful to the environment.
If you’ve bought one from your florist, it’s essential to know how you can dispose of it.
Let’s start now.
What Is A Dreamcatcher?
Contents
A dreamcatcher is a Native American tradition in which nets are woven into the shape of a circle with an opening at the top and decorated with feathers and beads.
These nets are hung above beds or walkways to protect people from bad dreams. Inside a dreamcatcher are sacred items such as feathers and beads that symbolize the defeat of bad dreams and the capturing of good ones.
Dreamcatchers are often hung in bedrooms or as decoration around homes. However, although dreamcatchers originated as Native American tradition, they’ve become popular worldwide.
These dreamcatchers can be found hanging in homes across many countries, including the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK. Nowadays, dreamcatchers can be found in all colors and sizes.
For example, some people use small dreamcatchers to decorate their desks or hang them on their walls, while others use large dreamcatchers to decorate their living rooms.
When Do You Need To Dispose Of A Dreamcatcher?
Dreamcatchers are Native American handicrafts that use feathers and beads to hang above beds in order to capture bad dreams.
According to Native American legend, the feathers represent good dreams while the beads represent bad dreams.
However, dreamcatchers carry many negative connotations and should be disposed of if they’re not wanted anymore.
They should always be disposed of respectfully, preferably burned.
Burning a dreamcatcher gives bad dreams to the flames while letting the good dreams escape through the smoke.
In addition, disposing of a dreamcatcher can help avoid spiritual harm.
Burning a dreamcatcher can cause bad dreams to be trapped within the ashes instead of being released into the air.
How to Dispose of a Dreamcatcher?
Give Your Dreamcatcher Away to Someone
Dreamcatchers represent good and bad dreams.
When good dreams pass through, they slide down the feathers to the sleeping person. When bad dreams come through, they are caught in the web and burned.
For this reason, dreamcatchers are passed down from generation to generation.
Many Native Americans believe that giving a dreamcatcher away is like disposing of it, so it’s improper to take a dreamcatcher from a Native American.
If someone gives you a dreamcatcher as a gift, you should thank them and dispose of it after you’ve received it.
Bury Your Dreamcatcher
Burying your dreamcatcher to dispose of a dream catcher is a tradition in some Native American tribes.
These tribes believe that a dream catcher captures bad dreams, so it must be buried to get rid of those bad dreams. Burying your dreamcatcher basically involves digging a hole and burying the dream catcher underground.
The dream catcher is buried facing upwards so the bad dreams can escape.
This tradition is strange and may be uncomfortable for those who follow it, but it does make sense to the Native Americans who practice it.
Cleanse Your Dreamcatcher
To cleanse a dreamcatcher, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Hold the dream catcher upside down and let the water run down it.
- Carefully fold the feathers back so they dry evenly.
- To dry the beads, hang the dream catcher upside down so the water can drip out.
- Apply a coat of wax to the feathers to keep them soft.
- After a few months, brush the feathers with a feather duster.
- To clean the beads, wipe them down with a cloth.
- Store the dreamcatcher in a dry place for the rest of the year.
Burn Your Dreamcatcher
By burning your dreamcatcher, you can dispose of your dreamcatcher.
Burning a dreamcatcher will get rid of any bad dreams you’ve had with your dreamcatcher. However, be careful of burning your dreamcatcher.
If the feathers catch fire, your dreamcatcher can burn down the house.
Recycle Your Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatchers are an ancient Native American tradition used to protect people against nightmares.
However, they have since become popular as decorations for bedrooms and classrooms. Unfortunately, dreamcatchers can often be difficult to dispose of.
However, there are ways to recycle them, including donating to a museum, giving them to someone who can use them, selling them at a yard sale, or burning them.
Recycling a dreamcatcher will help them become useful once again and will prevent them ending up in a landfill.
Sell Your Dreamcatcher Online
Selling a dream catcher online is easy.
All you have to do is find a reputable website that specializes in selling dream catchers. Then, create an account on the website and list the dream catcher for sale.
You could also post images of your dream catcher to help attract potential buyers. Finally, wait for a buyer to contact you and buy your dream catcher.
Donate Your Dreamcatcher
Dream catchers have magical powers that prevent them from working after being used.
Therefore, it’s vital to dispose of them responsibly. If you want to get rid of a dream catcher, donate it to a local charity or school.
This ensures that it will never end up in a landfill and that children can use it in a positive way.
What To Do If Your Dreamcatcher Is Damaged?
If your dreamcatcher is broken or has become unusable, you should dispose of it properly to avoid bad luck in the future.
A broken or damaged dream catcher won’t protect you from nightmares anymore.
You may attempt it at home or order a custom piece online from an artist who specializes in dream catchers.
However, if your dreamcatcher can hang well and doesn’t droop at all then it’s fine to leave it alone.
To be on the safe side, conduct the cleansing ritual again and make sure it’s completely dry before storing it away.
How Not To Dispose Of Your Dreamcatcher?
One thing is regarded exceedingly disrespectful when getting rid of your spiritual belongings: throwing them away in the trash.
There are rules to be followed when getting rid of your sacred items. You must always dispose of these with respect; for example, by burying them in a respectful way or donating them to a good cause.
You can certainly also burn them; however, this is considered taboo for native Americans because they fear that their spirits will be trapped inside.
We’re talking about tossing a Dream Catcher out with the recycling or the rubbish.
According to legend, if you throw away your treasured talisman/sacred object without the proper respect you invite misfortune upon yourself! Also never throw them into water.
When it comes down to it, the old Native American saying “if it brings you good – keep it” and “if it brings bad – get rid of it” holds true today more than ever.
Also Read: How to Dispose of Electric Toothbrush Safely
Conclusion
Recycling a dreamcatcher is your best disposal option.
Dreamcatchers made from natural materials can be composted and recycled, while synthetic dreamcatchers made from plastic can be thrown away.
Plastic dreamcatchers are also easily recyclable in most cities.
While it’s tempting to just throw away dreamcatchers made of natural materials, this is actually not the best option. Composting is the best option for natural materials, while recycling is the best option for synthetic materials.
Recycling is also better for the environment than throwing away dreamcatchers made of plastic or leather. Recycling and composting are the best ways to dispose of dreamcatchers.
Therefore , consider donating your dreamcatcher if it’s made from natural materials or taking it to a recycling center or compost pile if it’s made of plastic or leather.
