NMR ISSUE 16

All Together On This Earth
Astrological Forecast 16
Don't Save the Earth!
Editorial 16
Initiation and the Degree System
Letters 16
Metaphysical Messages of Addictions
New Virtual Economy
Rite to Reclaim the Power of the Snake
Snail
Spirit Lover
The Abyss and Beyond
The Eleventh House: Dreams or Destiny
The Oldest Magick
Three Magical Waters
Understanding Your Dreams
Why Love is the Law - A Primer
Winter Solstice

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Understanding Your Dreams I

Diana Haronis

Throughout the ages, dreams have been a source of wonder, prophecy and enlightenment. All share this curious phenomenon, but few understand it. Only those who would seek to understand this hidden source of knowledge may fully know the extent of the treasure it offers.

Our dream self sees, our waking self is blind. Our conscious may miss certain details, subtleties or innuendos, but our subconscious misses nothing. Have you ever had the feeling that you have forgotten something, yet you aren't consciously aware of anything missing? That is the nagging of your unconscious mind, which noticed when you left your wallet sitting on the table as you left the house, or that your ring slipped off and fell behind the sofa. [The next time you lose something, instead frantically searching, quiet your mind, go within and try to picture the object in your mind's eye. Let your observant unconscious show you where it is.] When the conscious mind is still, the unconscious will show you all you need to know. For this reason, dreams are the purest form of true guidance. While the conscious mind slumbers, the unconscious and superconscious (or Higher Self), have free reign. In order to tap this vast source of wisdom, we need to interpret the symbolic language of our dreams through which our soul speaks to us. Oddly enough, the longer you work with your dreams, the more straight forward the answers seem to come. I have been interpreting my dreams for many years now, and have found this to be true. There are even times when my dream self will be interpreting the dream while I'm dreaming it!

Before you can interpret your dreams, you must be able to remember them. The most powerful force to aid you in remembering your dreams is simply the desire to remember them. Keep a pen and paper next to your bed for the express purpose of recording your dreams. As you drift off to sleep, tell your self that you will remember your dreams. Repeat, over and over in your mind, I will remember my dreams." When you awaken, do not jump up right away, but lie there quietly trying to remember all that you can of your dream images. Review them slowly in your mind. Then take your pen and paper and write them down, in as much detail as possible. Include any emotions you felt during the dream, as well. It doesn't matter if you only remember a tiny bit. Often the process of writing will stimulate further dream images to rise to your conscious awareness. When you are awakened suddenly, as by an alarm clock, often your dream images will fade instantly, with no recall. Therefore, if you must wake up to an alarm clock, program yourself to awaken a little before it goes off, or directly after dreaming. As you drift to sleep, tell yourself, I will awaken directly after dreaming." It is not difficult to program your mind in this way. How often, when you knew you had to wake up at a certain time, did you awaken a few minutes before the alarm clock went off? Since dreams take place in that light twilight sleep, between sleeping and waking, we often do not remember our dreams when we sleep too deeply. The effects of alcohol, drugs or physical exhaustion may interfere with clear or total dream recall. We often dream more vividly when we change our usual sleeping habits, such as sleeping in a different place or in a different position. Many people seem to recall the dreams better that they have during an afternoon nap, or when they wake up in the morning and then drift back to sleep.

The things that we are repressing or ignoring in our conscious life will be expressed in our dreams. Therefore, any reoccurring symbol or theme is important, and should be carefully examined. Nightmares show us some deep-rooted fear or problem that we are refusing to deal with in outer life. Once we confront these fears, the nightmares will stop. Nightmares occur when our subconscious mind has been trying, again and again, to show us something that we are refusing to see.

Here are some other types of dreams to recognize:

Garbage Dreams: These dreams are just an unconnected stream of abstract events and images. It is simply the subconscious mind sorting through all the input of the day, and clearing out mental and emotional garbage.

Outside Influences: These are dreams stimulated by outside, physical influences. For example: you dream that you have been shot in the stomach, and wake up with a bad stomach ache; or you dream you are in a snow storm, and awaken and find that the window is open and your room is very cold. If you fall asleep listening to the television or radio, these may also influence the content of your dreams.

Health Dreams: Health dreams may sometimes be the result of outside influences, as for example, falling to sleep with a tooth ache and dreaming that your tooth is being pulled out. Health dreams will usually pinpoint specific problems and reveal solutions. Often the body is in symbolic form. A house often represents the body (as that which houses the soul). Cars also symbolize the physical vehicle of the body. As an example, a dream of clogged pipes in the basement may reveal congestion in the intestinal track. A car overheating may be an indication of high blood pressure, or a need to relieve stress.

Problem Solving Dreams: If you have a problem, ask for the solution as you are falling to sleep. Be sure to interpret your dreams in the morning, as they are likely to contain the answer. If you are feeling overly anxious to receive an answer, it may take longer, because of your inability to completely relax and open yourself to the wisdom of your soul. Generally you will receive an answer within three nights.

Dreams Offering Teaching or Insight: These dreams may come from the unconscious mind or intuition (which has noticed something that your conscious mind has not) or from your Higher Self or guides. They may teach you something that you need to know at the time, offer insight into an important matter, or warn you of a certain person or situation.

Anxiety Dreams: These dreams reveal our deepest fears and anxieties. They show us what is beneath the outer problems in our life, what we fear may occur, what we are holding on to that we need to let go of, where we are harboring guilt, anger or self destructive tendencies. They are often Insight Dreams, but on a more intense, emotional level.

Prophetic Dreams: These are dreams that reveal the future. Often it is difficult to determine whether a dream is prophetic until the events foretold begin to unfold. This is because, many dreams that appear to be prophetic at first glance, may in truth be Anxiety or Insight Dreams. For example, a dream of getting divorced may not be a prophecy at all, but a message that there is an emotional or mental separation in your relationship that needs attention. Then again, it may reveal a deep-seated fear of abandonment, or a need to balance the male and female sides of your nature. It is important to be honest with yourself, and to be in touch with your own intuitive feelings in order to correctly interpret your dreams. In time, you will be able to feel intuitively whether a dream is prophetic or not.

Spiritual Dreams: These dreams come directly from your Higher Self or your spirit guides and masters. They often contain religious or mythical symbolism and a mystical theme or message. These dreams take us beyond the personal and mundane to an archetypal or universal level. There is a feeling of expanding consciousness, such as in transcendental meditation, and the ability to see and understand things from a higher level of awareness. Sometimes there is simply a feeling of intense love and spirituality in these dreams. Other times we may bring back important information or prophecies. Often the transcendent beings we encounter in this type of dream appear as robed and hooded figures or as spiritual masters, saints, or religious or mythical beings. When you awaken, they leave you feeling positive, happy and full of love.

The interpretation of dream symbols is a very personal thing. What means one thing to you may mean something completely different to someone else. For example, one person may feel that a raven in their dream is an omen of ill fortune; however, if a raven happens to be your spirit animal, to you it may signify guidance. It is important to be aware of any feelings or emotions that are associated with your dream. If, for instance, you were dreaming of a black cat, but you had a good feeling about the cat in your dream, you certainly wouldn't interpret it in its usual connotations, as a symbol of bad luck. Always consider first, what association a symbol holds for you personally. Beware of dream dictionaries that say such things as, If you dream of a frog, money is coming. At the end of this article is a list of books that contain excellent dream dictionaries and other beneficial information. Some symbolism is universal, portraying archetypal themes or images. Then again, some is cultural. A Christian would interpret a cross differently than a Moslem or Hebrew. To one it would be a symbol of faith, while to another it may be a symbol of persecution.

While recording your dreams, make notes of any associations or insights that spring to mind. Part two; will describe how to break down a dream to reveal it's hidden message.

Sweet Dreams!

Books with Excellent Dream Dictionaries:

Bethards, B., Dream Book: Symbols for Self-Understanding.
Chetwynd, Tom, How to Interpret Your Own Dreams.
Crisp, Tony, Do You Dream?

I am researching a book on dream interpretation, of which these articles, and hopefully your questions and comments, will be a part. I am interested in hearing about your personal experiences with dreamwork, or any unusual dream symbolism you have confronted. I am also interested in your questions about dreams, and will answer as many as possible. Write to me: Diana Haronis, at: 226 Marna Dr., Vacaville, CA 95678.