In this post I share about Dream Interpretation: the Top Ten Ways.. Read it carefully. If you put these strategies to work you will be better able to understand your unique dream language.
First we must remember
To state the obvious your first task of interpreting a dream is to remember it. For some this is easy. My wife remembers all her dreams in great detail. For me it is not so easy, unless it is a “big dream.” Even if you do remember easily it is a best practice to keep a journal of your dreams. Often dreams come in a series. That is to say one might have several dreams a night. Each one may have a different plot or story and yet be trying to convey to us a similar message. Journaling can help us recognize that continuity. The same may be true over time. We may have a series of dreams for days, weeks, or even years as our unconscious is trying to give a message to our conscious self. For example, in the past my dreams were trying to warn me to slow down and not be such a workaholic. It is important to honor the process. It has been my experience that my unconscious self likes to be taken seriously. If I have a special journal, perhaps leather cover, and a special pen for the purpose I will more easily remember my dreams.
Second we must learn the language
Morton Kelsey’s dream book is called Dreams: God’s Forgotten Language. The language is not just God’s it is particular to each one of us. Yes there are certain dream symbols that are more or less common. For example water, and fish, or mountains, or thin ice. Yet, our own individual unconscious seems to use other images that are particular and specific, or at least common to us. Thus it can be helpful to create our own “dream dictionary” of recurring symbols.
Third there are common themes
Carl Jung was a collector of cross cultural images. He discovered themes in his patients dreams that were closely linked to ancient myths. We can learn from various collections of symbols what they might mean for us. However, it is important to test these explanations against our own sense of their meaning. I have found that if something nis right for me it will “resonate” or seem right. It can give an ah ha of recognition. I will think like, “Yes that is right.”
Fourth share with an intimate partner or close friend.
Sometimes the obvious is not obvious to me. My wife, Brenda can often see when I am clueless. Also there is something about reading our dream journal out loud that helps us hear it’s meaning more clearly.
Fifth look for puns and word pictures
It may just be my individual dream Language. My unconscious has a sense of humor. Once when I lost a, particular position I had a dream that was something like, this. I was at a picnic hanging upside down from a tree branch above a picnic table. In my hands stretched out below me was a T-shirt. Upon waking I started to laugh thinking, “Been there some that got the T-shirt, o use hanging around!” It makes me think of an old joke about Custer’s Last Stand. The night before he dreamed of a field full of cows with holes and many Indians copulating. Of course it meant, “Holy cow! Where did all the F……g Indians come from!”
Sixth it is possible that a dream has a simple warning.
It may be that our unconscious has noticed something important during the day. For example, dreaming of a flat tire could suggest we check our vehicle. It. Can’t hurt to look.
Seventh every person and symbol in our dreams are most likely a part of ourselves
It is helpful to ask and journal with the symbols in our dreams. A classic example is the person who dreams they are holding g a tray of food and passing out pieces to all of a crowd around her with nothing left for herself to eat. An important question to ask is “How am I like that plate of food?” It May be I am giving too much nourishment away and not keeping any for myself.
Eighth it is possible to dialogue with the symbols in our dreams
Just freely journal a conversation. We might begin with a question. “Tell me pickup truck why are you in my dream?” Then write as if you are the truck, because part of you is! “I like the power of my four wheel drive. It makes me feel important.” Just let the conversation flow and be surprised at the insight.
Ninth concretize the dream in some way.
This always makes me think of Richard Dreyfus’s character in the movie Close Encounters. He keeps maki g models of a geological feature that has been invading his dreams. We probably won’t have such a dramatic experience. However, it is an instructive example. Our u conscious can continue to help as we create an artistic representation of the dream. It could be a sculpture or a drawing, or even a poem.
Tenth it is alright to use those books of dream symbols or investigate the symbols of myths and archetypal stories.
I’m thinking of all the meaning Dr. Jordon B. Peterson derives from the Walt Disney animated movies do Pinocchio, and The Lion King. Personally one of my favorite archetypal movies is Tom Hanks early movie, Joe Vs. the Volcano. It is for most people a silly story. However, it is full of archetypical imagery. For example he spends part of the story floating on his luggage, that is to say, his baggage. These 10 ways to interpret dreams ought to give you a good beginning for learning and listening to you unique dream Language. Enjoy the process and perhaps share in your experience in the comment section below. Perhaps in time we might create a Dream Group to share and help each other learn