Writing Is Taking Shape, Developing
Dear Nancy: I’m single, working on selling my home, helping my sister get through her divorce and trying to write a book. I’ve never dreamed about dragons before and would appreciate your help with this dream. Although it was very vivid, I only remember the last part of it. - Lynn “I’m standing on the ground above a very large pit. It is similar to a trench on an archeology dig and is very dark inside. I look into the trench and I see a dragon. It looks much like a T-Rex but I know it’s a dragon. It’s lying peacefully on its side. The ground has been dug around it so that it is in relief. I am somewhat fearful, but my overriding and determined thought is, “I’m going to have to kill this thing.”
Dear Lynn: Your setting is the site of an archeology dig, a great metaphor for “digging around” in the depths of your unconscious. What has been locked beneath the surface is now being brought up where you can see it and work with it.
When I asked, “What is the `dragon’ in your life?” you immediately exclaimed, “My writing! It’s unmanageable. I’m not very disciplined about it. I’ve been chipping away at this book and it’s just now taking form … that’s just what archeologists do!” Just like the dragon “in relief,” your book is finally taking shape. Although it’s not totally formed, it is developed enough to see what it will be.
Our dream exploration revealed that it wasn’t the dragon you wanted to kill, it was your fear of the dragon. You shared that you’ve always loved dragons and think of them as powerful and magical. Mythically, they are guardians of great treasure. The T-Rex, on the other hand, is a dinosaur. Are you afraid that your book will be outdated before it’s finished? Are you worried that you won’t complete it? Have you been “draggin”’ your feet?
Your dragon, lying on its side in the trench, isn’t the classical creature with the breath of fire and ferocious demeanor, it is peaceful and unthreatening. Obviously, there’s more work to do on this project, “more digging in the trenches.” It’s your job to finish this and give life to this great beast.
Using the dream re-entry technique, sit quietly and imagine yourself back in the dream. Ask the dragon, “Who are you and why are you in my dream? What can I give you and what gift do you have for me?” Let the conversation flow, without judging or editing. I think you may find your treasure there.
Reader’s tip
A great mythological creature, the dragon is often seen as a beast we are required to slay. On life’s journey, we all must meet and fight our dragons. These dragons can be our fears, addictions or anything that blocks our paths. We can’t go on until we deal with them.
A dream dragon may also be someone in your life that you perceive as threatening, that “breathes fire” (negative energy) or has power over you in some way. Even the best parents or spouses can feel dominating and controlling with “too much love.” Slaying the dragon can mean putting an end to whatever it is in the relationship that keeps you from expressing yourself as an individual.
The dragon also guards the great treasure, which in psychological terms, is your authentic Self. So the question might be, “What is the dragon in my life, what holds me back from being truly me?”