INTRODUCTION TO
DREAMS
Imagine you are going to spend one third of the next year in a strange country.
Almost certainly, you will try to find out as much about is about as you
can. You will probably consult guide books and maps, and check on such on
such things as travel,climate and language. Yet we spend approximatly one
third of our life asleep, and know so little about the intriguing world of
our dreams!
Once we begin to understand this strange world, we also begin to understand
hitherto unknown aspects of our own personality. And the voyage of discovery
is not restricted to those who claim that they "always dream". We all dream,
every night. It is only the extent to which we recall our dreams that varies.
Now you have the opportunity to improve your recall, explore your dreams
and learn something of their language. Most importantly, you will be able
to interpret the messages that they have for you personally.
DREAM THEMES
Themes and meanings are your guide, to interpreting your dreams. To explore
the whole of your dreams rather than just a single object, or symbol.
Having dreamt of a telephone {say} and consulted the themes and meanings
contents of any book, you will look under 'communications' and find your
dream.
But seeing 'colours' also in the contents list reminds you that the telephone
was yellow, and leads you on to further exploration-and discovery or you
may find that other dreams under the same theme also have some relevance,
and 'nudge'
your recall that little bit further. Now you're really travelling. Journeying
well the rewards are truely worth while!
DREAM BOOKS
LOOKING BACK
THROUGH THE MIRROR OF TIME
IT WAS LONG BEFORE ARTEMIDORUS, THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS AND THE ASSYRIANS ALSO
HAD THERE DREAM BOOKS. IN THE LIBRARY OF KING ASSURBANIPAL OF ASSYRIA THERE
WERE BOOKS OF DREAM INTERPRETATIONS BELIEVED TO HAVE DATED FROM 2000.BC,
AND THE KINGS PERSONAL DREAM BOOK WAS PROBABLY ONE OF ARTEMIDORUS, CHIEF
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION.
IN MEDIEVAL TIMES, DREAMS COULD SERVE AS A SANCTION FOR THOSE WISHING TO
PUT FORWARD RADICAL POLITICS AND POLITICAL PROGRAMMES. THE kNIGHTS WHO INFORMED
KING HENRY THE 2ND THAT THE VOICES OF ST PETER AND THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL
HAD TOLD HIM TO PRESENT A NUMBER OF DEMANDS FORESHADOWING MAGNA CARTA IS
AN EXAMPLE.
THROUGHOUT THE AGES, DREAMS SEEM TO HAVE PROVIDED PEOLPLE WITH THE AUTHORITY
TO TAKE DECISIONS, ENGAGE
IN CONTROVERSIAL ACTS AND IDENTIFY CRIMINALS. THE CASE OF
MARIA MARTEN OF RED BARN IS JUST ONE OF THE MURDER MYSTERIES RESOLVED WHEN
THE CULPRIT WAS DENOUNCED ON THE BASIS OF A DREAM.
MISS MARTEN DREAMED THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD BEEN MURDERED AND BURIED IN THE
RED BARN. THE BARN WAS SEARCHED, AND MARIA'S BODY DISCOVERED. WILLIAM CORRIDOR,
WHO HAD MAINTAINED THE GIRL WAS WITH HIM IN IPSWICH, WAS HANGED FOR THE CRIME
11TH OF AUGUST 1828.
DREAMS AND THE
SUPERNATURAL
BELIEF IN THE SUPERNATURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF VIVID AND RECURRING DREAMS HAD
BEEN KEPT ALIVE BY THE EARLY CHURCH. IN THE 16TH CENTURY SOME IMPORTANCE
WAS STILL ATTACHED TO DREAMS, ALTHOUGH THEOLOGIANS DECLARED THAT MOST HAD
PHYSICAL CAUSES AND SHOULD IGNORED. HOWEVER, THEY ADMIT THAT SOME DREAMS
MIGHT BE SUPERNATURALLY INSPIRED, THOUGH AS LIKELY TO BE DIABOLICAL AS DIVINE-AND
EVEN MORE LIKELY TO BE THE EFFECTS OF INDIGESTION.
SOME CONNECTION BETWEEN MAGIC AND HOLINESS WAS CERTAINLY PRESUMED BY A MAJORITY
OF PEOPLE, AND DREAM
INTERPRETATION WAS ONE OF THE SERVICES PERFORMED BY WIZARDS AND ASTROLOGERS
FOR THEIR CLIENTS. ONE EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THEY "PROCURED" PROPHETIC
DREAMS WAS THE PLACING OF OBJECTS UNDER A YOUNG GIRLS PILLOW, SO THAT SHE
MIGHT SEE HER FUTURE HUSBAND IN HER SLEEP.
MAGIC PLAYED LITTLE PART IN THE VICTORIAN ATTITUDE TO DREAMS. THEY FOUND
THEM MOST DISTURBING, AND WERE PARTICULARLY DISTRESSED BY SEXUAL DREAMS.
IT WAS INTO THIS CLIMATE THAT SIGMUND FREUD LAUNCHED HIS FAMOUS BOOK {THE
INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS} THERE WAS ALREADY EXTENSIVE LITERATURE ON THE SUBJECT,
BUT WITH HIS EXPLORATION OF THE UNCONSCIOUS IT COULD BE SAID THAT FREUD WAS
LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING THE THREADS TOGETHER.
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