Dreamworks
The
Language of Dreams: Symbols
by
Rev. Sandi King
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Symbolism
can appear to be a secret or mysterious language that dreams use
to speak to us. Actually, there is no mystery in the symbols used
by dreams if interpreted skillfully. A message hidden in symbolism
can help align our personality with our many levels of consciousness
known as our Higher Self or Soul. Dreams allow us to communicate
between our conscious and unconscious selves using symbols. This
process can happen through the inner contemplation of the symbols
and images presented to us.
To
fully appreciate the power of this communication, we need to be
good detectives and have a trust in our own intuition. To get
good answers, you must ask the right questions. Here are some
basic questions to unearth the message behind your symbolism.
Understanding the meaning of individual symbols is merely one
step to understanding a whole dream:
Remember:
What were the main symbols you remember from your dream?
React:
What is your first response to each symbol?
Associate:
Do these symbols remind you of any one or any thing in your life?
Intuit:
How do you feel about the dream and about each symbol?
Context:
What recent events may be affecting you and influencing your dreams?
Carl
Jung, a dissident student of Sigmund Freud, was the first to suggest
that dream symbols have universal meaning. He believed that the
meaning was the same regardless of culture, race, geography, religion
or colour. Most experts today concur with Jung. It is also important
to understand that in addition to universal meaning, a symbol
can also have personal meaning for individuals depending on their
background and experience. For example, a person who has been
bitten by a dog may have a different personal interpretation of
the dog symbol than someone who has not.
Below
is a Mini Symbol Dictionary with common symbols and their universal
interpretation.
If
a particular symbol or dream is causing you concern, consult with
a trained professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist,
counsellor or spiritual counsellor. Don't let the 'little dreams,'
those that are merely processing the day to day stuff that has
little relevance to your Higher Self, bog you down. Focus on the
'big dreams,' those that bring inspiration and alignment with
your Higher Self.
Jeannine
from Montreal sent in this dream to be interpreted. She notes:
I feel that this dream was sent to me from my mother who is in
Spirit.
Dream........I
am in a big department store like the Bay. The department store's
dining room looks like a hotel's and is scattered throughout the
Store. The dining room tables are located in different departments
- like one in the dishes, one in socks - they are everywhere.
I have a meeting with the staff who serves the meals. The meeting
is in a little bar that has an island - very relaxing, chic, but
not too loud or aggressive. I explain how they have to provide
a good service to the clientele. I explain, 'What you are serving
is an edible master piece'. Then I had a sandwich on the table
beside me, with a very fancy presentation - no crust, etc. After,
I explained how the staff should develop their attitude towards
customers. Their attitude towards the customer must be perfect.
They must also praise the chef in the kitchen. He's by himself
and never has any encouragement. Everyone praised the chef and
then went back to their jobs. Three men came to me - they were
the owners of the hotel - they were letting me know how pleased
they were with the way I trained their staff. They gave me the
job to continue to supervise the staff. To me, this job was compatible
with other jobs that I was doing - but wasn't my main job.
Analysis.......Your
dream would suggest that you are in the business of serving clients
and that you regard this as the most important aspect of your
business. You offer extensive and personal training to your staff
and representatives. Your excitement and enthusiasm, coupled with
a well founded knowledge and skill foundation allows you to transfer
your values, skill and knowledge to others in a relaxing, creative
and growth - promoting venue. You extend the boundaries of current
thinking in your career. Although this can initially appear scattered
or out of context, you very quickly convince people of the new
energy that can be found through new or innovative venues and
approaches. The hotel suggests that your current situation is
only temporary. The department store suggests that you are currently
shopping for and trying out different approaches to find the best
for you and your clients. Perhaps the Bay or a similar department
store was also a comfort spot for you and your Mom. You can enjoy
the beauty and comfort found in 'things', yet you don't have to
be burdened with purchasing or owning beautiful 'things.' You
are expert at finding spiritual beauty in whatever setting you
find yourself. You are still searching for the setting that will
ground you the most. Choosing servers to train says that you enjoy
training and working with those who will care for others. The
essence of this dream affirms that you are a wonderful soul, whose
Divine spark has not only been lit, but burns brighter because
of its ability to spark the divine in others.
Mini Symbol Dictionary
This
short list is meant only as a guide to universal interpretation
of a few symbols. Interpreting a dream requires an understanding
of your personal interpretation of each symbol, as well as associating
the whole dream within the context of your life. We do not have
space to cover all aspects of symbolism in this article, however,
the symbolism in colour and in religious symbols is important.
In future columns, we will explore both the universal symbolism
in colour and of religious symbols.
Abandoned:
represents severance from someone, some thing or an issue; to
be without restraint, a sense of or a need for freedom.
Accident:
the unexpected can be expected; you may have anxiety
about the unknown; it may be a warning about the consequences
of carelessness.
Altar:
usually has a spiritual or religious implication, such
as a heart and soul commitment to an intent or goal; a communion
of earthly and spiritual concerns and/or of like-minded is needed
or about to happen; you may have or need a place of protection
and refuge.
Arch:
indication that you are moving to a new stage or level of awareness;
doors are opening for new learning or for new responsibilities.
Attack:
if you are being attacked, there may be a fear or real threat
in your life that you have to deal with; if you are the attacker,
it may be a message that you need to seek calmer and less aggressive
ways to express yourself.
Balcony:
either we are seeking a higher understanding or a higher status,
or we are affirming our wisdom in a particular situation.
Balloon:
the message is that you can find joy amidst your stress and challenges
that will bring out an awareness of your spiritual nature; a feeling
of 'light spiritedness' is needed in a situation.
Barefoot:
humility is required, approaching something through faith
Bell:
bells tolling can be a warning of a pending hardship or death;
it can also be a sign of our need to seek approval; a call to
prayer and to follow the divine or spiritual path; bells can also
ward off misfortune.
Birth:
as we slough off the old, we start a new beginning; we have a
fresh, new outlook and perception on things; the symbol of birth
is telling us to extend our current boundaries of perception to
let in the light of the new.
Burial:
a need for us to come to terms with the loss of something we value;
the need to leave something behind
Candle:
a need to clarify that which there is confusion about; a transition;
a sign that you are using fortitude and strength in dealing with
a current challenge; you are affirming that you do have knowledge
and wisdom that will shed light on an issue; the candle is illumination,
that spark of inner, divine wisdom, the symbol of the Soul - take
note of how strong and bright it burns.
Death:
an awareness of a transition to a more spiritually aware plane;
as in birth, it symbolizes the sloughing off of the old, to allow
for a new beginning; heralds a major change, perhaps of a personal
nature or of a rite of passage (such as puberty to adulthood);
death represents the birth of new coping strategies in dealing
with challenges allowing us to adjust our perception and therefore
our approach; this is a symbol that you will find the courage
to do so.
Dog:
as humankind's first domesticated animal, the dog represents fidelity,
loyalty and protection; in a dream, the dog can symbolize the
need for this or affirm that you or a significant other have these
traits; unconditional love, affection and mutual respect and value.
Falling:
a sign that you need to be grounded; you may have a feeling of
not being in control or your life; you need to retake your personal
power in respect to a specific situation; stepping into the void
Flying:
flying implies that you fell unencumbered with what others think
and that you are devoted to following your spiritual path; you
may also be feeling proud of a recent success.
Gift:
a gift symbolizes our creativity and our inherent talents; something
is being offered to us; a hidden opportunity
Home:
the home symbolizes shelter, warmth and nourishment; a return
to our roots - a need to balance our roots; a home needs to be
a sanctuary where you feel free to be you; a house can also represent
different parts of being human - the roof, our consciousness -
the outside, our outer self or public facade - the kitchen, a
place of transformation - the basement, our unconscious drives
and instincts.
Horse:
just as we can tame and keep the majesty and beauty in a horse,
we can also take heed that we can do the same with our instincts,
passions, impatience, judgements and criticisms - we can transform
these into wise discernment, bringing out in us a strength of
character and compassionate action.
Hospital:
symbolizes a need for respite and healing; take heed and begin
a healing process, re-evaluating your motives and intentions.
Killing:
an extreme solution to a challenge - it indicates our attempt
to rid ourselves of an external power over us; you are put on
notice that you must find a way to take back you personal power,
a call to action
Mask:
symbolizes your outer facade or public self; in a dream this is
a sign that you should reassess your public masks to see if it
is still serving you, and then reshape it so it does serve you;
this is a sign that your ego is now strong enough to have your
public self more aligned with your Higher Self.
Rain:
a releasing of emotions; an emotional cleansing.
Rainbow:
a connection to the heavenly world and spiritual awareness; a
sign of hope, completeness.
Wedding/Marriage:
usually a symbol of a union within you; perhaps two separate ideas
are coming together or perhaps your Higher Self is integrating
more with your personality; your life's purpose is becoming clearer
to you. You may be embarking on a new vocation.
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