Guest Author - Phyllis Doyle Burns
This article was written by our previous editor, Phyllis Doyle Burns, and all rights are reserved. For inquiries and comments, please contact the current editor, Jane Winkler.
The spirituality of Native Americans is profound. The Ancestors lived their life in prayer, respecting and honoring all Creation. Everything they made had prayers infused into it. Throughout history each tribe, although unique unto themselves, had (and still retain) many traditions in common. One thing they all do is make their own sacred objects and use them in a symbolic manner. Some of the more simple objects can be made easily. I call them Spiritual Helpers -- they are tools to hold and send prayers to Creator.
The Spiritual Helpers are used in sacred ceremonies for healing, to honor a departed loved one, requesting help, for protection, or to give thanks. These can be used within a group or by an individual.
The process of making these Spiritual tools is as important and sacred as using them. It is all done with prayer and strong focus on what the tool is for. Therefore, it is important to have sage, sweetgrass, and cedar on hand to smudge and purify one's self, space, and all supplies.
Spiritual tools have been made and used in ancient cultures as well as cultures of today. They are held in high esteem and well cared for.
Prayer Feathers
Prayer Feathers are a beautiful tool or work of art in a display. Feathers are believed to be gifts from Great Spirit. Stones, beads, bones, leather lace and deer skin can be used to decorate the feathers. Each individual puts their own totem, power animal, on the feather in the form of an animal-shaped bead or small carving -- or they can be very simple with just a few beads on a leather lace wrapped around the quill.
Prayers and visions are infused into the feather. Usually one will make their own Prayer Feather because they can tune into their own energies. It is possible for another to make a Prayer Feather for you if you give them permission to tune into your visions and energies.
The Prayer Feather can be used for smudging or in ceremony to send prayers to Great Spirit. Often it is made with an Eagle feather. The purpose of the feather is in the symbolism -- for it represents the Eagle, who flies higher than any other bird, to take messages to Creator. Only federally recognized tribe members are allowed to possess Eagle feathers.
Prayer Dolls and Corn Husk Dolls
Prayer Dolls are small and can be made from raffia and decorated with small scraps of leather or fabric. A prayer doll can be infused with a prayer for a specific person and their specific needs. It can be worn on a leather lace around the neck, tucked into a pocket or medicine bag, hung in the car, above the bed, or anywhere it is needed. One can make a prayer doll and infuse it with a prayer for someone else then give to that person. Or a prayer doll can be purchased from someone. It is important to remember to smudge any object you buy for your personal use. Smudging will purify the object and remove any energies left by others so you can then infuse it with your own energies and prayer.
Like Corn Husk Dolls, Prayer Dolls have no faces. There are different reasons for this based on tribal beliefs or the thoughts of an individual. Sometimes just black dots for eyes are painted on, or red dots for cheeks.
Corn Husk dolls are small dolls made from, of course, corn husks. They are made for decoration, ceremonial use, or as toys for children. They are very nostalgic and can be used as ornaments on Christmas trees, or other holiday decorations. They make lovely gifts, can be used for individual place settings at a wedding or bridal shower with a person's name on it, or just to add to a collection of dolls or Native American art. They can also be used in ceremony or like prayer dolls.
Dream Catchers
Dream Catchers are symbolic of Mother Earth (a metal or wood hoop) with a knotted weaving inside the hoop symbolic of Grandmother Spider's web. There are different stories of origin and purpose for Dream Catchers based on tribal culture. The general symbolism is that bad dreams get caught up in the web and disappear with the morning light -- while good dreams come through the hole in the center of the web, and slide down the feather to the dreamer.
Many Dream Catchers are made today on an embroidery machine. They are beautiful and can be made quickly this way. The traditional method is made by hand-knotting the web, which takes longer, but retains the original purpose of making it with prayer and respect for the symbolism.
One bead, usually about the size of a pea, is woven into the web to represent Grandmother Spider. Smaller beads are often woven in around the web and place randomly or in a specific pattern.
Medicine Bag
Medicine Bags are probably one of the most important spiritual helpers for one to have. They are small bags, usually three by five inches, in which one carries very personal objects for their own use. They are made of hide, suede, or leather, and decorated with beads or other objects. sometimes they are just left plain. The Medicine Bag is worn on a leather lace around the neck so it can hang close to the heart. One should never ask another, "What is in your Medicine Bag?" This is a very private matter.
These are just some of the many "Spiritual Helpers" one can make. To have them displayed on a wall or table makes a beautiful art display. To use them for prayer and spiritual guidance they can provide peace and calmness.
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Native American Crafts:
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