The Pacific Northwest Indians have an exceptional history which includes the use of soul catchers. The Shaman or healer would use these unique instruments to aid healing in individuals suffering with chronic conditions. Chronic illness was believed to be a result of a situation where the spirit is lost.`
When an individual would become chronically sick and the usual herbal medicine made no difference, it was thought the spirit was wandering outside the body. The specially carved device was used by a Shaman to catch the ethereal self. When the Shaman returned it to the person, it was held that the individual would become better.
According to their beliefs there are a few ways the body can be separated from the spirit. Getting lost during a dream, being scared from the body, or enchanted out with witchcraft are the methods that are accepted. It is believed that there are other worlds the ethereal body may travel.
The leg bone of an animal is cut and hollowed to make this mystical instrument. The open ends of the piece are carved in the shape of an animal, like a bear, with teh mouth completely open. One end of the device is used to suck the spirit into the instrument and once this is done the other end is stuffed with cedar shaving to hold the body within. The Shaman would then blow the spirit back into the sick person.
In some instances, the individual was thought to be infected with a bad spirit. In these cases the same device was used, except to suck the malevolence out of the person. These are often used as a charm necklace for good health.
Perhaps the most recognized of soul catchers is the University of Washington logo. These can be found as displays, necklaces, and attached to smokestacks. The materials used to produce modern devices are wood, metal, ceramic, bone, antler, and many others, they also have intricate designs burned or engraved into them. Soul Catchers
When an individual would become chronically sick and the usual herbal medicine made no difference, it was thought the spirit was wandering outside the body. The specially carved device was used by a Shaman to catch the ethereal self. When the Shaman returned it to the person, it was held that the individual would become better.
According to their beliefs there are a few ways the body can be separated from the spirit. Getting lost during a dream, being scared from the body, or enchanted out with witchcraft are the methods that are accepted. It is believed that there are other worlds the ethereal body may travel.
The leg bone of an animal is cut and hollowed to make this mystical instrument. The open ends of the piece are carved in the shape of an animal, like a bear, with teh mouth completely open. One end of the device is used to suck the spirit into the instrument and once this is done the other end is stuffed with cedar shaving to hold the body within. The Shaman would then blow the spirit back into the sick person.
In some instances, the individual was thought to be infected with a bad spirit. In these cases the same device was used, except to suck the malevolence out of the person. These are often used as a charm necklace for good health.
Perhaps the most recognized of soul catchers is the University of Washington logo. These can be found as displays, necklaces, and attached to smokestacks. The materials used to produce modern devices are wood, metal, ceramic, bone, antler, and many others, they also have intricate designs burned or engraved into them. Soul Catchers
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