How to Make a Medicine Wheel Dreamcatcher: A Guide to Crafting Sacred Symbols
Dreamcatchers, with their intricate webs and dangling feathers, have long held a place in the traditions of Indigenous cultures, particularly among the Ojibwe people. These beautiful creations are believed to filter dreams, allowing good ones to pass through while trapping negative ones in the web to be dispelled by the morning sun. The Medicine Wheel, a sacred symbol central to many Indigenous belief systems, represents the interconnectedness of all things and the cycle of life. Combining the two, a Medicine Wheel Dreamcatcher becomes a powerful tool for spiritual growth, healing, and protection.
This guide will provide you with a comprehensive step-by-step tutorial on how to craft your own Medicine Wheel Dreamcatcher. We’ll explore the significance of the Medicine Wheel, the symbolism of each component, and the materials and techniques needed to create this meaningful work of art.
Understanding the Medicine Wheel
Before we begin, it’s essential to understand the profound symbolism of the Medicine Wheel. It’s a circular diagram, often divided into four quadrants representing the cardinal directions (East, South, West, and North), each associated with specific colors, elements, seasons, life stages, and aspects of the self:
- East (Yellow): Represents the element of air, spring, birth, enlightenment, and new beginnings.
- South (Red): Represents the element of fire, summer, youth, passion, and growth.
- West (Black): Represents the element of water, autumn, adulthood, introspection, and endings.
- North (White): Represents the element of earth, winter, eldership, wisdom, and renewal.
The center of the wheel symbolizes the Self, the core of our being. The Medicine Wheel guides us on a path of self-discovery, helping us balance the different aspects of our lives and understand our place in the universe.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Embroidery Hoop: A 6-8 inch embroidery hoop is a good size for beginners. You can use a wooden or metal hoop.
- Leather or Suede Cord: Approximately 4-6 feet of cord. Choose a natural color like brown or tan.
- Sinew: A strong, durable thread for weaving the web. Artificial sinew is readily available and easy to work with. You’ll need about 10-15 feet.
- Beads: Select four beads in the Medicine Wheel colors: yellow, red, black, and white. You can choose glass, wooden, or stone beads. You will also need a bead for the center.
- Feathers: Choose feathers that resonate with you. Consider using feathers from a source that is sustainable and ethical. You’ll need at least 4 feathers, one for each direction.
- Scissors: For cutting the cords and sinew.
- Needle: A large-eyed needle to help thread the sinew through the beads.
- Glue: A small amount of glue to secure knots.
- Optional: Paint or markers in the Medicine Wheel colors to decorate the hoop.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Hoop
- Optional Decoration: If you wish to paint or decorate the hoop, now is the time. Using the Medicine Wheel colors (yellow, red, black, and white), you can paint each quadrant of the hoop. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Wrapping the Hoop: Cut a length of leather or suede cord, long enough to wrap around the entire outer ring of the embroidery hoop. Start by securing one end of the cord to the hoop with a small amount of glue. Wrap the cord tightly around the hoop, overlapping slightly, until the entire outer ring is covered. Secure the end with glue.
2. Creating the Medicine Wheel Cross
- Marking the Directions: Use a pen or marker to mark the four cardinal directions on the wrapped hoop. These will be the anchor points for your web.
- Attaching the Cord: Cut four equal lengths of leather or suede cord, long enough to extend from the center of the hoop to the outer edge.
- Attaching to the Hoop: Tie one end of each cord to the hoop at the marked cardinal direction points. You should now have four cords radiating from the center of the hoop, creating the Medicine Wheel cross. Make sure the cords are taut.
3. Weaving the Web
- Prepare the Sinew: Cut a length of sinew, approximately 10-15 feet. Thread the sinew through the needle.
- Starting the Web: Tie the end of the sinew to the hoop, near the center of the hoop.
- Creating the First Loop: Bring the sinew across to the next cord and create a loop around it by pulling the sinew over the cord.
- Continue Looping: Continue looping the sinew around each cord, working your way around the circle. Keep the tension consistent to create a neat web.
- Adding the Beads: As you weave the web, add the four colored beads at each cardinal direction, before looping the sinew around the cords at each direction.
- Adding the Center Bead: When you’re close to the center, add the bead for the center of the wheel.
- Finishing the Web: Once you reach the center, pass the sinew through the bead. Secure the sinew with a knot and trim the excess.
4. Adding the Feathers and Beads
- Preparing the Feathers: Prepare the feathers by trimming the stems if necessary.
- Attaching the Feathers: Cut four lengths of leather or suede cord for the feather strands. Attach each cord to the bottom of the hoop. String your chosen beads onto each cord and then attach a feather.
- Securing the Feathers: Secure the feathers and beads with knots and a small amount of glue.
5. Final Touches
- Trim and Secure: Trim any excess cord or sinew.
- Final Inspection: Inspect your dreamcatcher and make any adjustments needed.
- Blessing and Intention: Before hanging your dreamcatcher, take a moment to bless it and set your intention. Consider what you want your dreamcatcher to protect you from and what dreams you want to attract.
Tips for Success
- Patience is Key: Crafting a dreamcatcher takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the web just right.
- Tight Tension: Maintain consistent tension while weaving the web. This will give your dreamcatcher a neat and attractive appearance.
- Use Quality Materials: Investing in good-quality materials will result in a more durable and beautiful dreamcatcher.
- Personalize it: Feel free to personalize your dreamcatcher with your own colors, beads, and feathers.
Caring for Your Medicine Wheel Dreamcatcher
- Placement: Hang your dreamcatcher in a place where it can catch the morning sunlight.
- Cleaning: Dust your dreamcatcher gently with a soft cloth.
- Respect: Treat your dreamcatcher with respect, understanding its significance as a sacred object.
Conclusion
Creating a Medicine Wheel Dreamcatcher is a beautiful and meaningful act of self-expression. By following these steps, you can craft a powerful tool for spiritual growth, healing, and protection. As you create your dreamcatcher, take the time to connect with its symbolism, setting your intentions for a life filled with positive dreams and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. Let your dreamcatcher serve as a constant reminder of the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel and the journey of self-discovery.
