Symbolic Dreams Foretell Future Events
Dear Nancy: I’m a single mother who has been divorced for nine years. About a month ago I had this vivid and powerful dream. Then, a week ago, I met an incredible man. - Elizabeth
I’m with a tall, dark and handsome man who loves me very much and I love him with all my heart. He is seven months pregnant and I can feel the baby’s heart beat. We are both excited about this child, feeling we have a wonderful life together. We’re planning on “forever.”
Dear Elizabeth: You may have had a precognitive dream! Spending more time with this man will tell, but it does seem the dream was telling you to prepare for this new life you’re about to give birth to!
His pregnancy may illustrate this relationship is going to be full of potential, new direction and new life. In the symbolism of numbers, No. 7 is a sacred number representing endings and new beginnings.
If we pay attention to our dreams, we find they frequently show upcoming events. They most often occur as symbolic dreams like yours but often show us the exact circumstances and people we will meet in the future. Whether the future is two days or 20 years away, somehow the psyche knows what is to come.
Does this mean that the future is cast in stone, that we have no choice in our destiny? I don’t believe that’s true. We all create our futures, every day, by the choices we make. Precognitive dreams show us our most probable future based on the choices we make now.
Precognitive dreams seem to be extremely clear and vivid. Colors are vibrant and the dreams are richly detailed. Often the senses are involved, and touch, smell, taste and sound are all heightened.
In classic Jungian psychology, this dream would be seen as the successful integration of the masculine and feminine within yourself, and the child as a symbol of the creativity and potential of that union. This is what we strive for in life: to be whole within ourselves. This means honoring both our intellect and our intuition, our assertiveness and our nurturing side. All opposites are united, creating a whole and healthy person.
Your dream was beautiful and full, Elizabeth. Thanks for giving us all a treat.
Tips for readers: A large part of tending your dreams involves questioning yourself in relation to them. A dream may hold an answer, but more often than not it will evoke more questions. This is essential for inner growth to take place. We are either evolving and growing into our potential, or letting it sit, unmanifest within us.
Questions lead us through the symbols full circle back to ourselves. Some great questions are: How am I acting in the dream? Do I act this way in waking life?
Does this dream relate in any way to my life right now? Does it relate to my personality?
What are my emotions in this dream? Is there a situation in my life that brings out these same feelings?
This column is intended as entertainment. But psychologists who work with clients’ dreams say dreams can hold a tremendous amount of significance; a particularly disturbing or repetitive dream may indicate the need to see a therapist.
, DataTimes MEMO: Nancy Huseby Bloom has studied dreams for 18 years. Dreams may be sent to her c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax, (509) 459-5098. Please send a short summary of the circumstances in your life and include your name, address and phone number. Nancy conducts dream groups on a regular basis. For information, call 455-3450.