The problem I have with dream interpretation is that there's almost always more than one way to go about it. For example, I've had these dreams which sort of follow a pattern, where I'm in some place (A hotel, a fair in New Mexico, my house) where there is some sort of danger (Zombies inexplicably created by my grandfather, a mountain-sized velociraptor, a DF-style hydra) that is threatening everyone around. I always completely ignore everyone else and rush to save myself (I hijack the car and drive away, climb up a mountain, hide in a bedroom) with greater or lesser success (The car doesn't work and I need to stop the zombies by kicking them in the head, I'm about halfway up by the time the velociraptor reaches the fair, the Hydra misses me the first time around, but then catches my scent and attacks) though I always wake up before actually dying. So does this mean I ignore other people's problems and focus on protecting myself? Or does it mean that I think other people can handle themselves just fine without my help? Or that I don't acknowledge other people as being real? Or maybe part of the horror of these dreams is that I can't help the other people? Very confusing.
In the above scenario I would just pick the interpretation that had the most meaning to me at the time. Or the one that I felt would be the most useful as a meditative tool.
Some of it really is individual, other things are tailored to cultural values and psychological norms. For example in general, in most peoples dreams, a murky pool is a sign of the feminine. Turbulent water is created by intense emotion... You can use that to get clues as to the context of the rest of the dream. Every part needs to go into context for the individual, the content of the dream, and the situations that individual deals with in waking life. I sometimes write out my definition or idea of what it all meant, and compare it to what the norms are. Sometimes I adjust it and make compromises to come up with something slightly different then what my ego provides.
Other people in your dream may represent other facets of yourself. If you dreamed of a bully picking on a child. You might be mad at yourself for not having fun at a party... or because you told yourself you couldn't do something or something was too dangerous. Usually when I dream about family its aspects of myself I am analyzing in dreams, family more often then strangers. Its gotten to the point when I am dreaming I just assume the others are me, most of the time I gain control over them in my dreams (this makes them less reliable for interpretation at that point lol).
http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/ is an 'ok' source to look up things. I like to right down key parts I remember, colors, people, things, emotions, sounds, (thankfully I haven't smelled much while dreaming lol) and do a quick search for each thing on my list (sometimes I copy paste it into one big text file) then read through it and see how they all work together... I try to keep it linear. Allot of times I find stuff that I totally disagree with from that page, or the book I have (which is older and written by wiser more reliable people).
Sometimes I just ask people what they think about certain things I dreamed about (especially when I can't figure it out or I disagree with the books and web). To get an idea or definition and try to think of synonyms, analogs, or metaphors that can be put into psychological or philosophical terms. Sometimes I dump things into google and pick a few pages that look promising or at random and try to garner some kind of definition from the hive mind. I've come up with some interesting meanings, and some dreams are still illusive.
Just kinda go with the flow and let it be a tool to help you think about things. If it all seems meaningless, then it may just be so... and don't worry about it. It is allot like painting a picture of your day, then going back and thinking about why you chose the details you did. Some of those details may even be inaccurate because memory is flawed, while the reason behind picking them still has importance.
It's also entirely possible to have routine dreams. Sometimes you have routine things placed in between bizarre scenario's to give your brain downtime. Like it was mentioned someone had a 'safe mode' form of dreaming. People generally just replay old memories from their daily routine for that. And those dreams have no meaning, their just your mind looping through old data to keep itself busy. Usually its something you like, and do very often. Soldiers who dream about putting on their uniform are experiencing that. But its more likely to have meaning to an office worker who's never been in the military.
Hope that rambling few blocks of text had something useful and informative. Just keep a diary and write down whats important, then write the interpretation you like the most. Eventually you'll get the hang of it. Its an art form =) I think once you start interpreting your dreams you will be more familiar with dreaming in general and might start having more lucid dreams. It has also helped me become much more objective and in general happy and content with my normal daily business. (not that I don't still have my moments of pure blind rage... but I do get a Zen like understanding of it all after the fact =))
****Update. I just had a dream and walk through interpreting it.***** This one is a a great example for showing the processes in a simple and basic way.
My current and most recent dream. I was in the kitchen talking to my mother who was making speghetti out of a mildy poisoness berry we grow in the backyard. Its pretty and red and small.
To see your mother in your dream represents the nurturing aspect of your own character. Mothers offer shelter, comfort, life, guidance and protection. Some people may have problems freeing themselves from their mothers and are thus seeking their own individuality and development.
To see poison in your dream denotes that you need to get rid of something in your life that is causing you much sickness and distress. You need to cleanse and purge away the negativity in your life.
To dream that you ingest or inhale poison indicates that you are introducing something into yourself that is harmful to your well-being. This may be feelings of bitterness, jealousy or other negative feelings that are consuming you.
To see or eat berries in your dream indicate that you will be involved with a fulfilling relationship or experience. In particular, if the berries are poisonous, then it suggests that you are in danger of becoming negatively influenced by something or someone.
To dream that someone or something is smaller than usual represents feelings of insignificance, helplessness and unworthiness. Alternatively, you may be literally trying to "knock" this person down to size. Perhaps it suggests that you or someone in your life has an inflated ego and need to be taught a lesson.
To dream that you are small and everyone is normal sized suggests that you are suffering from low self-esteem and/or a sense of helplessness. Perhaps you are being overlooked.
Red is an indication of raw energy, force, vigor, intense passion, aggression, power, courage, impulsiveness and passion. The color red has deep emotional and spiritual connotations. Consider the phrase "seeing red" to denote anger. Alternatively, the color red in your dream indicates a lack of energy. You are feeling tired or lethargic.
Red is also the color of danger, violence, blood, shame, rejection, sexual impulses and urges.Perhaps you need to stop and think about your actions.
Spaghetti
To see or eat spaghetti in your dream symbolizes longevity, nourishment and abundance. Alternatively, eating spaghetti indicates that you find yourself entangled in some messy relationship or uncomfortable position. Perhaps you are not sure how to end a relationship or situation.
Taking into account all these. And discounting some or adjusting for example the definition of poison. Because I am not experiencing much sickness and distress.
I might have been being critical of myself for trying to provide significant guidence, or get an important point accross. I am worried and cautious about being open with strangers. I may have a small fear of poisoning someone elses opinion or view of something, or I might be worried someone else will poison my views. I might be afraid of ridicule to some small extent. The fact that the berries are small and mildly poisoness says I'm not overly worried or the threat being percieved is not great. I am acknowledging the nuturing aspect of my daily events. I have learned a bit, and I feel like I have met some pretty cool people lately. I can be very passionate sometimes in my arguements and views. I chastize myself quite often for not taking a step back and being objective or simply listening to another persons argument without providing input.
That is basicly how it goes. Sometimes the definitions dont fit so well. Sometimes its not even a definition, it could be like a building saped like an L has meaning and your brain is trying to tell you L, or something like Lay off... Everyones brain works differently.
But I find the topic fascinating to say the least =).
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Topic: Dream Interpretation: Alien Space Battle (Read 16580 times)