Sunday, January 27, 2008

Jungian Dream Interpretation

While dreams are personal, our personal experiences often touch on universal themes. These symbols were believed to occur in every culture throughout time. Jung identified seven such symbols in what is referred to as the major archetypal characters:

1. The Persona is the image you present to the world in your waking life. It is y our public mask. In the dream world, the persona is represented by the self. In the dreamscape, the Self may or may not resemble you physically or may or may not behave as your would. However, you know that this "person" in your dream is you.

2. The Shadow is the rejected and repressed aspects of yourself. It is the part of yourself that you do not want the world to see because it is ugly or unappealing. It symbolizes weakness, fear, or anger. In dreams, this figure is represented by a stalker, murderer, a bully, pursuer, a frightening figure, or even a close friend or relative. Their appearance often makes you angry or leaves you scared.

3. The Anima / Animus is the female and male aspects of yourself. Everyone possess both feminine and masculine qualities. In dreams, the anima may appear as a highly feminized figure or a hyper masculine figure in the case of the animus. Or you may dream that you find yourself dressed in women's clothing if you are male or you suddenly grow a beard, if you are female. These imageries serve as a reminder that you must learn to acknowledge or express your masculine (be more assertive) or feminine side (be more emotional).

4. The Divine Child is your true self in its purest form. It not only symbolizes your innocence, your sense of vulnerability, and your helplessness, but it represents your aspirations and full potential. You are open to all possibilities. In the dreamscape, this figure is represented by a baby or young child.

5. The Wise Old Man is the helper in your dreams. Represented by a teacher, father or some other unknown authority figure, they serve to offer guidance and words of wisdom. They serve to guide you into the right direction.

6. The Great Mother is the nurturer. They may appear in your dreams as your own mother, grandmother, or other nurturing figure and provide you with reassurance. Negatively, they may be depicted as a witch or old bag lady in which case they can be associated with seduction, dominance and death. This juxtaposition is rooted in the belief by some experts that the real mother who is the giver of life is also at the same time jealous of our growth away from her.

7. The Trickster, as the name implies, plays jokes to keep you from taking yourself too seriously. He may find himself in your dream when you have overreach or misjudge a situation or if you are uncertain about a decision or where you want to go in life. The trickster often makes your feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. He may take on subtle forms, sometimes even changing its shape.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

To read an interpretation of a dream that predicted the rise and fall of nations down to our time, go to Daniel chapter 2. Compare it to your history books regarding Babylon, Medio-Persian, Greece, Rome, modern Europe. The promise from God is that modern Europe would never "cleave" or join together again. Many have tried to re-unite the broken pieces of Rome and failed. Napoleon and Hitler, for example. During this time of Europe's division, the Lord of Heaven will come and destroy the earth to set up his eternal kingdom (2nd Coming). "The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure." Daniel 2:45