Symbols Meaningful, Personal

Editor’s note: Watch Your Dreams is a new column by Chewelah resident Nancy Bloom, who has studied dream interpretation for 15 years and has led groups on the subject for eight years.

This is intended as entertainment. But psychologists who work with clients’ dreams say that dreams can hold a tremendous amount of significance; a particularly disturbing or repetitive dream may indicate the need to see a therapist.

Throughout history, mankind has placed significance and value on dreams, which can be a rich source of problem solving, inspiration and guidance. Many dream symbols have acquired meaning through the ages and dream dictionaries are available.

Remember that only you can truly interpret your own dreams, so if the definition of a symbol does not feel right to you, keep searching inside yourself to find the true meaning. Your symbols are your own; one person’s frightening monster will be another’s source of mystery and power.

I am hoping that my guidance and examples will help you learn to interpret and grow from your own nighttime adventures.

Dear Nancy: This dream woke me in the middle of the night. Can you help me understand it? Thank you, Kate.

I am standing in my own home when the furniture begins to move and small objects start flying through the air. I become alarmed as I realize I am experiencing an earthquake that is growing in intensity. I look out my window and see the ground shaking violently.

I become quite frightened and call my friend only to find out the earthquake is occurring at her house, too.

Dear Kate: When I dream of a natural disaster, I always check the world news first to see if my psyche was picking up on a world event. If I dream of an earthquake and there is no mention of it in the news, I assume that the dream is an indicator of a sudden change or upheaval in my life.

Are you considering any big rearrangement in your affairs? What in your life is not on solid ground? You may not have control over these changes as everything is being shaken up around you. But take heart, this dream is indicating a turning point and with it an opportunity to take advantage of a new direction.

Dear Nancy: I had this dream and it keeps popping up in my mind. Can you help me understand it? Ginny.

I am in a large courtroom and a trial is taking place. The person on trial is a young man who has done some very bad things. I am sitting near the back of the room. The judge begins a sermon on forgiveness and is quoting passages from the Bible.

Dear Ginny: This is what I call a teaching dream, giving you insight and instruction on problems or areas you need to work on. The judge can represent your higher self, God or your own conscience. This dream is one of movement from judgment to forgiveness.

Have you been critical or too harsh on yourself or others? Usually, if you judge yourself severely, you will also judge others the same.

The dream shows the need to move into the position of forgiveness, or being more tender and compassionate. You can be fair and just and also be gentle and loving. Ask these questions of yourself: “Where in my life am I most judgmental or critical?” “How can I become more gentle and forgiving?”

xxxx