Imagery Is Conscience-Driven

Thu., July 18, 1996

Nancy Huseby Bloom

Dear Nancy: I am a stay-at-home father, caring for our three children while my wife is working. My 13-year-old daughter is developing into a woman and I am aware of my need to curb my feelings of attraction toward her. I am aware that I am hugging and touching her less and making sure there are appropriate boundaries between us. Could this dream be addressing this issue? - Jason

I am sitting on the back porch of my home with my daughter. I have my rifle with me and want to show her my skill by shooting a branch off a tree. I realize that I would be breaking the law by shooting the gun because we live in town. So, instead of shooting, I put the gun down. I look up and in the distance see a billowing cloud of smoke and dust. I realize it is an earthquake and I look down and see a huge fissure splitting the ground at my side. I run to get away from it. I am afraid I will fall into it. I run into the front yard where my daughter is waiting for me. The earthquake stops and we are safe. We look into the fissure and see red hot molten lava.

Dear Jason: One of the most common symbols for sexual energy is the gun. It can also represent aggression, hostility and resentment directed either outward toward other people or inward toward yourself.

In your dream, you realize that shooting the gun would be against the law. This “law” is your own conscience and society’s standards of right and wrong regarding incest. You make the decision to abide by the law and put the gun down.

Earthquakes depict sudden changes and the concept of being shaken up. Earthquakes originate underground which can symbolize the unconsciousness. When you realize it is coming, you run to the front yard. To move from the back porch (that which is behind and hidden) to the front (that which is visible and conscious) indicates your willingness to address this problem consciously.

The earthquake ends and you are safe. You are not swallowed up by the crevasse. Being like a womb, caves and crevasses are symbols of the feminine. Looking into the hot lava shows your willingness to examine your hidden feelings of passion and desire.

The dream shows you that you will not succumb to the frightening changes that are occurring. Knowledge of our innermost selves can be frightening, Jason, but by recognizing the situation and responding correctly you are saved.

Tips for readers: In past articles, I have talked about a method of reentering a dream in a meditative state and changing its dynamics. This process is called active imagination. If it is more comfortable for you, this process can be done on paper by rewriting the dream in your journal making appropriate changes.

First, determine what issues and concerns are addressed in the dream. Were you feeling afraid, paralyzed or blocked? Did you display inappropriate anger and hostility? If you were running from an enemy in your dream, rewrite it so that you are the conqueror.

Were you feeling confused or lost? Rewrite the dream so that you, as the dream ego, are more decisive and aware. If you are experiencing unresolved anger or frustration, you can rewrite the dream to include a helper such as a spiritual guide, minister or counselor.

By reexperiencing or rewriting dreams, you will be able to present yourselves with new options for future behaviors.

xxxx

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