Lesson Ten
Dream Interpretation
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Anger is a powerful emotion that is often denied, repressed or misunderstood by the walking mind, so we often see it in our dreams. It is not always negative; anger can represent valued aspects of psychological development such as courage, determination, leadership, and self-assertion.
Closely linked with anger in dreams is frustration, in dreams we may find ourselves missing a train, or an important meeting, or missed phone call or can't find something, like homework. In all instances, the dream may be reminding the dreamer of the need to discover the cause of his or her frustration, or deal more effectively with it if its causes are unknown, ask yourself why are you feeling frustrated?
Anything that suggests a controlling force giving way to fierce energies from within can be a potent image of anger or frustration contained beyond the point of self-control. A flood blocking a familiar pathway may represent the dreamer's frustration, and may suggest the need to find an alternative route. In this way the dreamer is being reminded that there is often more than one way to deal with frustration.
Bottled-up feelings, a dream may draw attention to repressed anger or frustration by images such as a bottled-up gas or explosive substance and the uncontrolled anger by flames roaring out of control. Unacknowledged anger toward a particular person may be shown as the dreamer prepares poison for them, or defaces their photograph. Dreaming of decapitating a loved one is common when misunderstanding and arguments have brought anger and frustration into a relationship, the dream is not literally portraying the beheading of a partner, but is symbolically removing the source of a current problem.
Often there is not enough time to grieve a loss, so the mind brings us dreams and even through after waking the feeling may seem sad, this is part of the healing process. Losing a treasured possession may also induce a real sense of bereavement, and the dream may wish to emphasize this point. Loss of any kind may be symbolized by the despairing search for a friendly face in a crowd or by themes of ashes or dust.
Dreams may be filled with nostalgia, providing warm or heartfelt images of a past way of life. Some part of the unconscious mind needs to repeat these experiences over and over again as an emotional safety valve until it can finally accept that the loss has really taken place. Sometimes bereavement dreams look ahead rather than back into the past. The dreamer may see the loved one in a happy circumstance, or be visited and reassured by him or her. Such dreams can leave the waking mind with feelings of well being, even delight, and in many instances are so realistic that the dreamer feels certain of the reality of life after death.
An empty purse or pocket may indicate the loss not only of a loved one but also of the security that the relationship offered. Distance is often used by the dreaming mind as a symbol of bereavement. A loved one may be seen receding into the distance or waving goodbye from a far-off hilltop, or going out through a gate or doorway.
In dreams a house often represents the dreamer, or those things that give life its stability or orientation. Empty or dark windows suggest the extinction not only of the loved one but also of vital aspects of the dreamer's conscious life.
Airplane - being in an airplane may show you "rising above" your troubles. The sky is a symbol of the expanded consciousness of the higher self. Your airplane dream expresses your desire for grater awareness or spiritual knowledge. You may have high ambitions and want to achieve them quicker, airplanes are the quickest way to get to a "destination". A dream of a plane crash can show that you are overly ambitious and have set your sights too high, or you may feel that you are not capable of reaching the goal.
Angels - the spirit world may be contacting people through dreams and that angels are the higher spirit beings that help humanity progress spiritually. Since earliest times, angels have been known as messengers from God. In a psychological sense, this could be a message from parts of yourself leading to greater fulfillment and happiness. Wings suggest flight and transcendence. If the angel is sinister, recognize it as something in your life that may cause trouble. Dreaming of the Angel of Death is not necessarily an omen of death; it may symbolize your anxiety looking for a way to express itself.
Ape - the dream may be a pun: "You're making an ape of yourself." You may be making an egotistical mistake of some kind. Apes are known to be gentle, so the dream may also symbolize the part of you that wants to behave more naturally and return to a simpler past. A sinister ape may symbolize the dark, repressed side of your nature.
True or False
1. Anger is not always a negative emotion in our dreams.
2. A missed train could represent frustration.
3. Bottled-up feelings may be shown as an explosive substance.
4. Dreaming of a loss is part of the healing process.
5. An empty purse of pocket indicates the coming of money.
6. Airplane dreams may mean you want to get to a goal quickly.
7. Angles are the messengers of God.
8. Bereavement dreams only look in the past.
9. The Angel of Death in dreams is a bad omen.
10. A sinister ape could represent the dark side of our nature.
