If you are remotely superstitious, spiritual, or a fan of all things mystical, you must have hung a dreamcatcher in your room at one point.
However, when the time comes to dispose of a dreamcatcher, don’t you wonder if you are doing it the right way?
Fret not! We are here to solve this mystery for you and discover the appropriate way to dispose of a dreamcatcher.
Before we dig down and try to find out how to go about our dreamcatcher disposal, let’s first shed some light on what dreamcatchers are and what they represent.
Let’s jump straight to it.
What Is A Dreamcatcher, And What Does It Represent?
Originating from Native American descent, a dreamcatcher is a one-of-a-kind protective talisman that is believed to catch and store bad dreams and evil spirits inside it.
A dreamcatcher is a handmade ornament made using a willow hoop with a woven pattern in the middle and beads and feathers dangling off from one end.
It is usually hung near the bed or over the cradle to protect your loved ones from evil spirits and nightmares.
When Do You Need To Dispose Of A Dreamcatcher?
You may need to consider disposing of a dreamcatcher under the following conditions:
- When your dreamcatcher is damaged or broken and cannot be repaired
- When your dreamcatcher gets too old or dirty
- When your dreamcatcher stops working correctly, and you continue seeing nightmares
- When you need to replace your old dreamcatcher with a new one
If you want to replace your old dreamcatcher or discard a broken one, you must take care of a few fundamental rules.
Different Methods of Safely Disposing of a Dreamcatcher
Keep reading to discover different methods of disposing of a dreamcatcher the right way.
Option # 1 – Burn Your Dreamcatcher
Since dreamcatchers hold so much significance and sentimental value for the owner, throwing them in the trash is the last thing to do.
Burning dreamcatcher is one of the most common ways of disposing of it. This disposal method dates back to earlier days when a dreamcatcher was initially introduced.
Burning your dreamcatcher is considered a viable option if you want to ensure that your bad dreams go away in the disposal process.
According to ancient beliefs, this method also helps get rid of evil spirits as fire is meant to destroy them.
If you decide to burn your dreamcatcher, make sure you follow all fire safety guidelines. Wear a mask, protective gloves, and safety goggles for the safe side.
You can burn your dreamcatcher in an open area or your backyard. Another option is to toss it in an incinerator to dispose of it respectfully.
Option # 2 – Cleanse Your Dreamcatcher
Before you decide to dispose of a dreamcatcher, you must cleanse it and get rid of all the evil eyes and bad dreams.
This ritual has been prevalent ever since dreamcatchers came into existence. In some Native American communities, it is considered highly disrespectful if you skip this step.
- To cleanse your dreamcatcher, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Take your dreamcatcher and remove any dust or dirt from it.
- Now hang it outside where you get direct sunlight on it.
- Leave it out in the sun for at least 4 to 6 hours.
- Voila! Your dream catcher is now free from all bad spirits and evil eyes.
After you have cleansed your dreamcatcher, it is ready to be disposed of or passed onto someone else.
In case you decide to dispose of your cleansed dreamcatcher at a landfill site or an open fire, it is completely safe and ethical to do that now.
Option # 3 – Bury Your Dreamcatcher
Another method of responsibly disposing of your dreamcatcher involved burying it in the ground.
However, make sure that you have thoroughly cleansed your dreamcatcher before you decide to bury it.
Even though burying a dreamcatcher is one of the options, it may not be the best one. According to some superstitions, burying a dreamcatcher may be a bad omen. Various people are of the opinion that when you bury dreamcatchers, the bad dreams aren’t completely wiped off.
Therefore, to ensure that your dreamcatchers are disposed of appropriately, it is better to keep burying as a last resort.
Option # 4 – Give Your Dreamcatcher Away to Someone
If your dreamcatcher is still in proper condition. It’s not damaged or broken from, and side; passing it on to someone else is another disposal option.
This way, you can ensure that your dreamcatcher is in safe hands and no one will try to misuse it anyway in the future.
Moreover, do not forget that you do have to cleanse your dreamcatcher before you consider disposing of it.
To make your dreamcatcher more presentable as a gift item, make sure that you wrap it up nicely. You can also hang fairy lights around to add a decorative element.
Option # 5 – Donate Your Dreamcatcher
Another smart way of getting rid of your old dreamcatcher is by donating it. However, you need to ensure that your dreamcatcher is in excellent condition to be given away as a donation.
Check with your local community center, shelter homes, or online community service groups if they are willing to accept dreamcatchers as donations.
Do not forget to cleanse your dreamcatcher before disposing of it.
Option # 6 – Sell Your Dreamcatcher Online
If you want to earn some extra cash, try selling your dreamcatcher online. You can either search for Facebook groups or marketplace or place an ad on eBay.
If your dreamcatcher is well-maintained, you may find a buyer online who needs one. As per the rules, make sure you follow the cleansing ritual before selling your dreamcatcher.
Option # 7- Recycle Your Dreamcatcher
We have already discussed various methods of disposing of dreamcatchers; it’s time to consider recycling them.
Fortunately, it is possible to recycle your dreamcatcher by breaking it down and using all the elements separately.
For instance, when you disassemble a dreamcatcher, you will get the following items:
- Feathers
- Beads
- Rings
- Yarn
Once you have separated all of these items, you can recycle them individually.
For feathers, you can use it to create DIY earrings or keychains. Or simply pop them in a mason jar with fairy lights to use as decoration items.
Similarly, you can look for fun DIY projects with beads as well. The web and Pinterest are exploding with multifarious ideas.
From jewelry making to friendship bands to artworks, you can reuse the beads from your old dreamcatcher in multiple ways.
There are quite a few options for you to consider when it comes to repurposing the rings from the dreamcatcher.
You can make a DIY macrame wall hanger or wall wreath using the ring. You can also wrap fairy lights around it and use them as hanging lights.
The yarn or twine from your old macrame can be used for tying up small items together. Moreover, you can also wrap it around glass vases or borrow it to add a rustic touch to them.
How Not To Dispose Of Your Dreamcatcher?
When it comes to responsibly disposing of a dreamcatcher, one thing is considered highly disrespectful. We are talking about throwing away a dreamcatcher in the trash.
According to beliefs, if you dispose of your dream catcher in the trash, all the bad dreams will be released.
Therefore, you should consider alternative methods of disposing of your dreamcatcher when it comes down to that.
What To Do If Your Dreamcatcher Is Damaged?
If your dreamcatcher gets broken or damaged somehow, you should first try to get it repaired.
You can try doing that at home or take it to a local craft shop to get it properly fixed.
However, if your dreamcatcher cannot be salvaged any longer, then you should consider disposing of it.
For the safe side, it is better to perform the cleansing ritual on your broken dreamcatcher to free it off of all evil spirits.
The Bottom Line
We hope you enjoyed reading our guide on ‘How to dispose of a dreamcatcher.’
There are various disposal options to consider; just make sure that you respectfully perform the disposal method. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, then recycling a dreamcatcher is your best bet.
We hope you will make the right call. Best of Luck!
If you have any more tips or ideas on how to safely dispose of dreamcatchers, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
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