After showing his Dream Catcher and relating the legends
surrounding it (included with the article), the Shaman uses it to
capture some dreams from those seated around the campfire. First
he cleanses it with smoke and then holds it above each camper's
head to allow it to fill with their dreams. Then he reveals as
much of each dream as the camper feels proper, always stopping
when the camper feels the Shaman is getting much too personal in
his revelations.
For demonstrations on stage, a small campfire can be
simulated in a cauldron, using many candles nestled together in
the bottom of a fireproof cauldron. A bit of birch bark can be
added to create smoke at the proper time, but it should not give
off so much smoke and carbon monoxide that your audience will run
off on you. Just a touch for atmosphere. Several on-lookers can
be seated on the ground around the cauldron, either on small rugs
with native designs, or on small pillows.
At the end of the demonstration, the Shaman turns into a
Wizard and gives them some good old fashioned entertainment. He
shows the campers some large cards containing illustrations or
photographs representing various dreams.
For example, one card might have a photograph of a tropical
island, another of a famous city like Paris, or a bevy of
beautiful women in bathing suits, etc. The cards are mixed up and
each camper is asked to select one. Then each camper is asked to
devise a pleasant dream for the night ahead based on the subject
of the photograph. He or she rises and describes what each
intends to dream about in brief detail. When all the campers are
standing, they are asked to lift up the rugs or pillows they have
been sitting on. Under each one is another card with a single
word or brief phrase describing the photo card chosen, i.e.
Tropical Paradise, Paris, Bikini Beach, etc. With that the Shaman
dismisses them and bids them all "Pleasant Dreams."
