
	Instructions for the Use of Ojibwa Dream-Catchers

	as told to "Spirit Wolf" by "Deer Runner"

1. The Dream-Catcher is used to capture your nightly dreams, to be either
	destroyed (bad dreams) or saved (good dreams).

2. The Dream-Catcher must be hung near where you sleep.  It works much better if
	it is close to you.

3. In the morning, if you have had a bad dream, you must help the Dream-Catcher
	destroy it for you.  Make sure the sun shines on the Dream-Catcher - the
	dream will be destroyed by high noon.  If it is raining or cloudy, the
	Dream-Catcher can still destroy the dream; however, it will take most of
	the day.  Do not retire early on such days, because the Dream-Catcher cannot
	hold another dream until it has destroyed or given up the last one.

3. In the morning, if you have had a really good dream and want to save it, first
	go to the Dream-Catcher, stand in front of it and think of the dream that
	you want to save.  As soon as you remember the dream, give it a name.  ANY
	name will do, just DO NOT FORGET IT!!!  You must then "put" the dream mentally
	into a container.  These containers should ONLY be used to keep your dreams - 
	nothing else can be kept in them except tokens of your dreams.  A special
	money/dream box is the best receptacle for dreams.  You may put special items
	in the box to remind you of the dreams or their names.  These tokens are to be
	exactly that.  There should be nothing in the box that does not directly connect
	to one of the saved dreams. Extra items will only confuse you and make you forget
	the name of a dream.

4. Dreams may be recalled from the money/dream box by opening the box, and saying the name
	mentally (NEVER OUT LOUD).  If anyone else ever hears the name, the dream may be given
	to them. You WILL lose your dream in that case.

5. Dreams do eventually wear out if you do not put them mentally back in the box after you
	have called them out.  If you return a dream to the box, it will last forever as
	long as you remember the name.  There is no limit to the number of dreams that you
	can save this way.  Only the limit of your memory says how many you can save.

6. Dreams can be lost 3 ways: a) You forget the name and the dream will eventually vanish.
	The dream is re-charged when you call it out of the box. b) You do not put the dream
	back in the box after calling it out.  It will not be lost immediately, but after several
	calls without being put back in the box, it will no longer be able to answer. c) you may give
	a dream to someone else, intentionally or by accident.  If you tell someone the dream AND
	tell that person the dream's name, then that dream is theirs, you no longer own it and it
	is lost to you forever.

7. If you do not save a dream in a box, but just call it from the Dream-Catcher, it is up to you
	to remember the dream by yourself.  The Dream-Catcher is then empty and can catch another
	dream for you.



