Karonhiake:iron

Walking On The Clouds

Native Artisan & Shaman

Karonhiake:iron (Tom Jacobs) is a very dear and trusted friend. During the years I have known Tom, I have watched him grow deeper and deeper into his own spirituality. I have seen his friends reach out to him when they knew nothing of their reaching. I have seen Tom respond with the words or actions that his friends needed at that time... not knowing that this, strangely, was what they truly needed above all else in those moments. I have seen Tom remove growths on a tree for a brother's craft. Yet, before the removing, there is a strange silence about Tom... as he prays to his Creator and thanks the tree and the growth for coming to him for this new, and I might add, intended purpose.

My friend Karonhiake:iron and I have walked many forest pathways together, in many lives before this one. We have known each other, perhaps, for all of time. Many might think this kind of thinking sheer lunacy... but it is not. I know this. Just as I know Tom. Just as I know his dear Judith who is also one of my treasured and longest- known friends. Both cherished. Both loved. Both walking this life, many before, and perhaps some to come in their way..., with me. And... me with them.

Besides being a Shaman, Karonhiake:iron is a Native American Artisan. Karonhiake:iron or Thomas Jacob's dreamcatchers are viewed as unique by each and every individual who is fortunate enough to see one. This uniqueness comes about by no simple accident. Tom brings his own spirituality, his facility to connect with the other and the mysteries of the spiritual world to his craft. Sure, he possesses remarkable talent for his craft. Sure , he has honed this talent beyond the commonplace. But beyond this..., he brings a profound respect to his creation, the Creator, and all elements of the natural world who have contributed to the ultimate end design. Now, I used the word who in referring to the elements comprising Tom's "Dreamcatchers". Well, to Karonhiake:iron, this is so... Each part has its own soul... and it is this soul that each component brings to the new form created by Karonhiake:iron.
To give you an idea of Tom's process, follow along with him and imagine this very spiritual man going about his natural business. Enter an area sporting dogwood bushes. Now watch as Tom seeks the right bush. And yes..., it must be the right dogwood. You see, on this search Karonhiake:iron rarely finds the right dogwood right away. Tom lets his intuition guide him. Or as he might say, he waits in that sacred silence for his familiar voice to tell him when he has located the right bush. Once this "moment" occursKaronhiake:iron sets some sacred tobacco on the ground. Watch as Tom gives thanks to the spirit of the bush. Then see him reveal his earth name, Karonhiake:iron. Hear Tom apologize for taking away some of the bush's branches. And listen as Karonhiake:iron lovingly assures the dogwood's spirit that its branches will not be desecrated in any way. And hear him tell the bush's spirit that instead, its branches will be used to create something beautiful.., something that will give many people pleasure... And you and I know giving joy to others when it is of the true kind is a form of grace. Now see Tom later back in his craft room, laying out the branches beside the feathers he will use in the coming dreamcatchers. Watch as he smokes his pipe of sacred tobacco. And hear Karonhiake:iron give thanks to the spirits of the birds whose feathers he will use to make his dreamcatchers. Close your eyes and blink.

Soon, another dreamcatcher brought to life by Tom's hands and through his spirit will grace someone's home. And now, as you look around Thomas Jacob's / Karonhiake:iron's craft room you see that each dreamcatcher possesses its own unique, individual charm. Some would call this allure and personality. This may be so. All I know is that Tom's special ways and spiritually guided creativity have brought new dimensions to this ancient art form. Seeing isbelieving.

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THE DREAMCATCHER LEGEND

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Every First Nation tribe has its own dreamcatcher legend. Here is Tom's Mohawk version. ______

Many years ago a Mohawk boy saw a spider on the floor of the longhouse and was about to step on it when his grandmother stopped him. After she placed the spider safely outside, she explained to the boy how the Creator put all things on earth for a specific reason and it was wrong to take the life of even a spider.

That night the grandmother had a dream. In the dream the spider came to her and said, "In gratitude for saving my life I have
fashioned a web outside the window where you sleep. The web will catch all your dreams, good and bad. The good dreams will find their way to the center and come to you but the bad dreams, caught in the webbing, will fall to the floor only to vanish when the first rays of morning sun touch them.

Tom's finely crafted dreamcatchers made from elements of our natural world re-create this legendary web in time honored Mohawk tradition.
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Karonhiake:iron can be reached by emailing him at: Moritta@aol.com or by emailing him care of me using the *Contact* button in the panel to the left.