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How useful is a Dream Dictionary really?
At the start of your dream journey, one of the most
frustrating things is to figure out what the symbolism in your dreams means!
Most often people start their dream conversation with me by saying: 'I had this
weird dream …' What makes it 'weird' is the strange collection of people,
objects, places and events that take place in the dream.
How do you make
sense of it? I guess you'd be thinking that a dream dictionary is a good place
to start.
Then again, the biggest 'complaint' I hear is: 'I looked up
'such-and-such' in a dream dictionary and it makes absolutely no sense to me!'
Well, I'm not surprised.
Watch out for Dream Dictionary
Bloopers!
Some dream dictionaries contain some real whoppers. Here's a
selection from some dubious sources I saw recently [don't laugh … these are real
examples!]:
Burglar - If you catch a burglar in your dream you're about
to inherit some money. Funeral - signifies news of an engagement or wedding.
Marshmallow - means you will meet a new friend of the opposite sex. Razor - is a
warning to control your temper.
You get the 'picture'! These
'interpretations' are obviously just ridiculous. And you can easily see that for
yourself … intuitively you know that these meanings should not be taken
seriously.
So do you even need a dream dictionary?
Well the answer
is 'yes' and 'no' and 'depends'.
'Yes' - use a dream dictionary when
you're really stuck with a symbol and you need some inspiration to find the
right meaning. Just make sure you're using a reputable resource and use your
'BS' detector!
'No' - avoid using one when you can immediately relate the
symbol in your dream to something in your waking life and your 'gut' is giving
you a positive reaction to the interpretation you've intuited.
'Depends'
on the reliability of the source of the information. Don't take any meaning at
face value. Test them out first. You will be able to validate your dream
messages in your life. You'll also automatically collect your own personal dream
symbol dictionary if you're actively journaling and interpreting your dreams.
You'll be able to tell when certain symbols are valid for you or not.
How
to use Dream Symbols
I've collected over 1000 dream symbols in my 10-year
dream quest and have validated them all for myself. Most of them are universal
in nature and I've noticed time and again how the same meanings appear for the
same symbols in reputable research works … from dream therapists to psycho
analysts, psychics, mystics, shamans and other metaphysicians.
For
example: Water - signifies your emotional self, your intuition and sub-conscious
Fire - signifies spiritual and psychic energy; purification; passion and
creativity Earth - signifies your physical self; reality and practicality;
groundedness Air - signifies your intellectual self; your thoughts and
plans
Taking this a step further, certain 'transport vehicles' relating
to Water [emotion], Earth [physical] and Air [thought] signify how you are
coping with these aspects in your life.
For example, if you're in a boat
in your dream this represents how you're coping emotionally: are you gliding
smoothly through the water indicating that your emotions are smooth and calm or
are you being tossed on the waves of a stormy sea indicating abnormal emotional
turmoil that is negatively affecting your life? You see what I mean?
Your
dreams aren't trying to trick you! All you have to do is learn to understand the
language of your dreams and to translate the imagery you see with your 'dream
eyes' into useful information you can use in your waking life.
I like
American writer, Gail Godwin's thought on dream symbols: 'Dreams say what they
mean, but they don't say it in daytime language.'
Diane de Villiers is author of the Dream Journey Guide - a
step-by-step, teach-yourself dream interpretation e-course. You can learn to
make sense of your dreams yourself in minutes with the Dream Journey Guide. For
more information and a FREE Preview copy of the guide go to:
www.secrets-of-dream-interpretation.com
Analyzing and Interpreting Your Dreams |
