I keep a dreamcatcher in my room at all times. For me, it's there as a symbol. I never really have "bad" or horrible dreams, but it reminds me to think about my dreams. I don't know a whole lot about dreamcatcher lore though. I have read about it some, but I haven't done a lot of studying.
Like any other magickal tool, dreamcatchers are a symbolic item that represents the dream world, if that is what you wish to call it. When our consciousness drifts into a sleeping state, we are introduced to things in our Subconscious that we usually don't witness or encounter during the day. These dreamcatchers can be hand-made or store bought, and yet they both have the same purpose and value. If you work with crystals or work with other cleansing tools or methods, then it can easily be cleansed and it will work better if it has been in contact with your energy. For people that believe in its abilities, it is a powerful tool used to often times ward off negative energies from the Astral realm or nightmares at night while they are asleep. If you own one, it is good to cleanse them once every month or so, because overtime it can become overloaded with all the energy and could stop working properly. I have two of them above my bed and they are great! They are also beautiful pieces of art, especially the ones crafted by hand.
Ever since I was young I have always had a dreamcatcher in my room, and I still do. I don't know exactly why I have always had one, but I love my dreamcatcher(s).
Dreamcatchers are put above your head as you sleep, the dreams flow through it, and down through the feathers to fall on your head, nightmares are caught in the web, (the cordage used for weaving) and are, depending on the stories you follow, destroyed by the sun in the morning, or eaten by the spiders (the small beads put on the web)
When I was little, I used to have a dream catcher for the sake of easing my mind as I slept. Growing up, I learned of its importance within Native American cultures and have since refused to keep one out of respect towards their cultures because I do not know much about it and feel what I do would be ignorant (in the worst case, sacrilegious and/or culturally appropriative).
It is sad to say that I have not researched it much beyond that, but I've had my nose deep into other matters spiritually.
A friend of mine is a Native American artist, and made me one as a gift when I was dealing with PTSD nightmares. For me, it's a sweet reminder of our friendship.
