The Pacific Northwest American Indians have a rich cultural history which includes the use of soul catchers. These handmade devices were most heavily used by Shamans or the healers of the group to address chronic illness. A part of the cultural belief is that an individual becomes ill when the spirit has left the body.
The medicinal approach of herbs would not always care for the health problems an individual suffered, these situations would often then be viewed as a problem with the ethereal body not being present. It would then fall to the Shaman to find and return the wandering soul. Once the ethereal body was returned, the individual would heal.
There are a number of methods which are thought to force the ethereal from the physical body. Dreaming, fear, and witchcraft are the primary culprits for a lost spirit condition. These people believe that there are other worlds in which the spirit can travel or visit.
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.
The UW has one of the most highly known soul catchers as a logo for their school. The designs can be found as jewelry or larger displays. While these were first created from bone, they can now be found made from wood, metal, ceramic and other materials. Soul Catchers
The medicinal approach of herbs would not always care for the health problems an individual suffered, these situations would often then be viewed as a problem with the ethereal body not being present. It would then fall to the Shaman to find and return the wandering soul. Once the ethereal body was returned, the individual would heal.
There are a number of methods which are thought to force the ethereal from the physical body. Dreaming, fear, and witchcraft are the primary culprits for a lost spirit condition. These people believe that there are other worlds in which the spirit can travel or visit.
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.
The UW has one of the most highly known soul catchers as a logo for their school. The designs can be found as jewelry or larger displays. While these were first created from bone, they can now be found made from wood, metal, ceramic and other materials. Soul Catchers
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