Brief Basics for Dream Interpretation
Learning the Creative Process of Dreaming is Key to Understanding
May 1, 2009
When you realize the relationship between you and your dreams it becomes easier to interpret and use the information brought to you in the sleeping state.
Dreams are the mind and soul path to answering questions, finding solutions, and understanding relationships. They can be informative, they can be fantastic, they can even be bizarre but they are your subconscious guide to the past, present and future.
Why Do You Dream?
Dreams put you in touch with the true self. You cannot run, hide or pretend in the dream state. You explore an inner world where you examine your potential without being critical, face your worse fears and come away unscathed, see where your personal relationships are going and come in contact with health and mental issues.
Analyzing a Dream
The important thing to remember when you recall a dream are the details. Try to write them down as soon as you wake and concentrate on capturing the main, or important, symbolism. If a dream is vague and difficult to recall it was probably not important. Sometimes we just dream to relax. If, however, the dream is clear in your mind after awakening then there is a message to be interpreted. Focus on the people, scenes, words, colors, or anything else that strikes you as outstanding.
De-Coding the Dream
Dreams are almost always 'coded' leaving details to work out and make sense of it. The first thing to consider is the theme. Was the main focus on some object, building, person, etc. Second, what was going on? Was there a lot of action? Were you observing or taking part?
Third, what elements surround you in the dream. Water? Dark? Light? Trees? Was it a happy dream, or a frightening one? Fourth, what people were there. Did you know them or were they strangers?
Perhaps there were no people but animals instead. What animal was dominate in the theme? What color was the animal? Fifth, what color was the dream. Was the background vibrant, or dull? Make a note of each of these things.
Psychological Dreams
Dreams can give you a clue to your own personality and hidden desires. People who appear in your dreams can sometimes be recognized as an alter-ego. You place your most undesirable traits in them as a means of ridding yourself of what you dislike about your personality. This can also occur with an animal dream.
Generally, in animal dreams, the traits in question are those of a base nature. Recognizing what it is that you find derogatory about yourself by using these dream symbols can aid you in becoming the person you want to be.
Using Dream Books
The use of dream, or dream symbol books is very helpful but should not be taken literally. Adjust the meaning, from your own notes, to fit your situation and personality. Zolar's Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Dreams, by Zolar (R. Donald Papon), is one of the most complete resources with interpretations of more than 20,000 dreams. There are online sites that make it quick and easy if you work on the computer. Delving into your dreaming mind will present a treasure trove of information to aid conscious living day to day.
Source:
- Enhancing your Mind Body Spirit, MMVI IMP AB and Summertime Publishing Ltd.
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