Happy Friday! We’ve made another week. Today is the last stop on the Saddled Hearts blog tour, so I hope you will visit me at Erika Kind’s place.
Yesterday, myself and a couple of my Story Empire colleagues were talking about sleep patterns, then we got sidetracked talking about dreams.
What are dreams? Dr. Derup, a behavioral sleep medicine expert, says this, “Dreams are mental imagery or activity that occur when you sleep.” That’s pretty simple. But to me, they are so much more.
Freud thought dreams were repressed content, ideas, or themes. Jung’s idea of what dreams are is deeper and more objective since the archetypes that caused dreams were collective, universal, anatomical, or biological, and therefore objective and empirical. Jung thought dreams are something that you carry from your ancestors.
Hmm. Could be, I suppose.
To the Native American people, dreams were an essential conduit for communication with the supernatural world. I buy more into that theory than any other. The dreamcatcher originated with the Ojibwe tribe, and they believed it would trap bad dreams and let good dreams come through.
I’ve always been fascinated by the dream world and have dreamed ever since I can remember. They say everyone does, but not everyone remembers their dreams. And there are different types of dreams. Most often, our dreams are made up of the subconscious mind processing things from our day.
Then there are lucid dreams, where you are asleep but aware that you are dreaming. In Dan Antion‘s new books, The Dreamer’s Alliance Series, one of his characters has lucid dreams and even learns how to manipulate them for the outcome he wants.
I can’t say I’ve ever had that exact experience where I manipulated a dream, but I have definitely experienced being aware that I was dreaming. I have had dreams where I am flying low and close to the ground, but really fast, and when I have those dreams, I wake up feeling a tad bit dizzy.
But probably the most bizarre dream I’ve ever had was one where I dreamed I laid down on a bed and went to sleep. When I awoke, I was so disoriented and unsure if I was awake in my dream, or awake in my real world. I’ll never forget that. It was a very strange feeling.
I’ve had a dream interpretation book since the seventies, so it’s something I’ve always been fascinated with. You can tell by the photo the book is well-worn.
I’ve dreamt about loved ones who have passed on. Then, on the other hand, I’ve had visits from loved ones who have passed on, and there is a distinct difference between the two. When you have a visit, you know you’ve been with that person. Often, there will be a lingering fragrance or touch after you awake. When I experience visits, I often awake with tears on my cheeks.
Dream interpretation is as broad as the dreams themselves.
For example, here are some of the basic dream interpretations in my book:
To dream of wild animals is generally a good omen pertaining to business.
Dogs in dreams are a good omen and often represent friends.
To dream of being naked indicates a stroke of money luck.
By the same token, to dream of feces, symbolizes wealth.
Obstacle dreams are very common, where you are having to squeeze through tiny openings or climb narrow ladders, and those dreams indicate frustration about not reaching a goal in real life.
I could go on and on, but I won’t. Do you have a recurring dream? One that you still think about regularly? My late husband had a recurring dream where he was living in the 1800s, wearing a coat and top hat, and he played upright bass. In real life, he never tried to play the bass. He often thought that dream might have been a glimpse at a past life. Who knows?
Let’s talk about dreams. Do you have one you’d like for me to look up in my trusty book?
Next week is Thanksgiving week in the U.S., and I will be taking a blogging break to spend time with family. I’ll try to visit your blogs as I can, but I won’t post anything more until after the holidays. If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish you and yours a wonderful time!
Writing and Music 
I once had a dream that came true in reality . . . changed my life.
LikeLike
I have very few recurring dreams but there is one. I think it might be a take on the college missed exam dream. In the dream, I’m staying at the Plaza Hotel in NYC and I’m running late for check out. I had not informed the hotel that I was going to be late and when I finally get to the hotel, I’m told that I will be charged for another night. Not too big of a deal and I have a flight to catch. Sadly the room is $1000.00 which will come out of my pocket since I can’t ask the company to pay for my mistake. I always wake up before the resolution. Did I just pay it? Have a lovely Thanksgiving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s quite the interesting dilemma, John. Since it is a recurring dream, I’d say it’s rooted in something substantial. First of all, staying at the Plaza is pretty awesome. 🙂 But having to pay for an extra night you don’t get indicates missed chances, perhaps? The dream book says taking responsibility for a mistake you made indicates flourishing success. I’d say you were taking responsibility, just didn’t make it to the actual payment. But your willingness to own it says good things about you. Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the reading, Jan. Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving.
LikeLike
I find dreams fascinating, although lately with my sleep patterns I either I don’t have them or I don’t remember them. I have a similar dream book that breaks down the symbols too. I used to have a recurring dream where i would be stabbed against a wall by a back door in my childhood home then current one. It wasn’t scary though just matter of fact. I also way able to travel in dreams to good past memories and be there in them. Stories have come from dreams too. It is a special place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Denise. Dreamworld is a special place that we get to experience in our physical existence. It’s interesting that your recurring dream of being stabbed didn’t scare you. I had to look it up, and my dream book says it indicates a betrayal. Perhaps that relates to your childhood? I don’t think I’ve ever purposefully traveled to a good memory in dreams, but I have most definitely traveled. And, yes, stories can come from dreams. My short story, “A Soldier’s Children,” came from a dream. I had to give the girls a happy ending. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and adding to the conversation. Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Excellent post about dreams. I’m working on when earliest man began believing in gods–maybe dreams? I too will be taking a few weeks off for the Thanksgiving holiday. Have a wonderful time with your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a fascinating thought, Jacqui. It could be that dreams were first seen as visions, and maybe they are/were. I’d love to hear what you find out about earliest man believing in gods. Thank you for stopping by and adding to the conversation! Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll let you know. It’s hard to find out where/why religion started. I did find an odd circle of stalagmites, deep in the dark of a cave, placed by Neanderthals. Why? Worship? Hmmm….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan, I’ve always been fascinated by dreams and we’ve talked about some of our most interesting ones. I love the ones where loved ones who’ve passed over come to visit or to drop by to say hello. It fills my soul with happiness when they come. But there are others and at one point years ago I believe I astra-traveled while asleep. It left me with a very strange feeling. Dreams are such an interesting topic. Love you, Sister. Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Visits from loved ones always bring a warm feeling. And, I definitely think we travel in our dreams. I go places I’ve never been and interact with people I’ve never met. There are no explanations for some of it. We have shared a lot of our dreams and the crazy ones always make us laugh. One can never pass up an opportunity to giggle. 🙂 Thank you for visiting and sharing today, sister. Love you! Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLike
As a child, I used to dream every night that I flew out of my bedroom window and across the neighbourhood to the school play park. Those were so vivid I remember them to this day. Fascinating topic, Jan. Congratulations on your wonderful book tour and wishing you every success! 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing recurring dream, Harmony. Obviously, the park represented a happy place for you. But how cool that you would fly there. Were you able to know where you were going and manipulate the dream? Fascinating! I just love all this sharing. Thank you for visiting and for following along on the blog tour. Much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
At first I got pulled there with no control. Eventually, I could manipulate the dream and even played at aerial acrobatics! 😁 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an interesting topic. We talked for a while about it the other day. I loved hearing all the stories.
Congratulations on a fabulous tour, Jan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me, too, Staci. I love hearing about others’ experiences. Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dreams make for such an interesting topic as the subconscious is fascinating. I used to have a flying dream where I could propel my body through the air. The best way I can describe it is like the feeling one gets on a roller coaster. I was going fast, yet still in control. I don’t recall any particular purpose of where I was going. I had variations of the same dream many times. I seemed to know I was dreaming, but I also enjoyed the sensation of moving fast and manipulating my body.
What does it all mean? I’ve got no idea. 🤣 I don’t recall having that dream in a long time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The flying dream I mention above, Pete, was one where I was propelling my body through the air, fast and low to the ground. The first time it happened was truly amazing, but then firsts are always the best. 🙂 I don’t recall having a destination or knowing where I was going, I was just engrossed in the experience of not being weighed down by a heavy body. I don’t know what it all means, either. The brain is a strange and mysterious thing that even the experts admit they know very little about. Thank you so much for stopping by and adding to the conversation. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t believe all dreams are significant, but some are. As we discussed, I’ve dreamed things that came true. I’ve heard people say they never dream. I can’t imagine not dreaming.
Happy Thanksgiving, Jan, and enjoy your blog break. Well deserved after your tour!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree, Joan. Some dreams are just crazy subconscious processing from whatever we’ve absorbed during our waking hours. But then, some are very significant. Someday, I want to share the dream/visit I had shortly after Rick passed away. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life. I haven’t found a way to put it into words yet. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d love to hear it when you’re able to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating, Jan. When I have a strong dream, I always pay attention. I’ve had dreams that have come true, dreams that became a book (The Contract), and dreams in which I was lucid and walked around and changed the outcome. It’s all a bit of a mystery, but it happens. 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s a great point to bring out, Gwen, and I should have touched on the fact that dreams can give us our next book as was your experience with The Contract (which, by the way, folks, if you haven’t read that book you are missing a GREAT story!) My short story, “A Soldier’s Children” came from a disturbing dream and I had to give the two girls a happy ending. Thank you so much for stopping by and adding to the conversation. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Btw. please check your spam folder!! I sent you several e-mails.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Erika. I replied.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such an interesting topic. You know that dreams in several meanings are also often subjects of my posts. I think dreams fulfill different purposes as I experienced them. Through dreams, the connection to the spiritual world does happen easier since the mind is silenced. Just lately, my grandfather showed up and left me an important message. Also what we oppress during the day or old trauma are worked out in dreams. Sometimes they give us hints as this can be revealed in dream interpretation. But I think it all depends and only the dreamer can say of what kind a dream may have been.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are 100% correct, Erika, in that only the dreamer can truly know what his/her dreams represent. Often dreams are symbols, and we all interpret those differently based on our life experiences and beliefs. How wonderful that your grandfather paid you a visit. To me, those are different from dreams. I love the adventures I have in dreams. I can do things (like flying) that I can’t do in the waking world. Thank you so much for stopping by and adding to the conversation. Hugs, and happy weekend!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, exactly! Spiritual encounters do feel differently. They feel real and close. So funny, I think we all have similar dreams. I often fly too by simply flipping my arms. Each time I am surprised that I can… probably another symbol… hehe
LikeLiked by 2 people