Yay! Dreams!
How many of yours do you remember?
I honestly don't keep track, but I would say 90% of the time I can remember my dreams. Usually, if I don't remember, it's because I was really tired and was in a deep, deep, sleep.
H ow you go about dissecting a dream and analyzing it's symbolism.
I usually go by my gut feeling, unless I notice a repeating pattern/symbol/animal/etc. I once had a dream that during each segment there were wolves. Different events happened in the dream, but wolves were always the connecting factor.
Sometimes I don't look too deeply into symbolism, because I feel that what may represent fear for me, could mean something totally different for another person. So that's why I usually go by my gut feeling.
Have you seen departed loved ones in your dreams?Do you think this was psycological or really them comunicating with you?
Yes I have, many times. My cousin, Kameron, passed away when he was 14 due to a brain tumor. That was roughly 6 or 7 years ago. I remember having very vivid, and life-like dreams when he first passed. I remember hugging him in those dreams, as if it was his way of saying that he's okay and that he loved me (we were very close, like siblings). Throughout the years, I've had dreams of him. The more time goes on, the less frequent these dreams become. The last dream he entered was about a year ago. He looked like he was in his 20's, which is what he would be if he were still alive. He hugged me and I felt a surge of pure happiness as a white glow surrounded me.
I do believe that it is him that enters my dreams. It's hard to describe but these dreams with him simply feel different. I could be dreaming about something totally irrelevant and the scenery will start to change. As the scenery changes, I become more lucid. Then, when Kameron appears I am completely lucid, I'm aware that I'm dreaming, but at the same time, I can't control the dream. I describe it as him setting the stage. He's in control of what everything looks like, but our conversations are real. I hope that makes sense.
Did you ever see something in a dream and it somehow in it's own way come to happen in the waking world?
Kind of. Not really big events. Usually conversations.
Did a dream ever help you solve a difficult problem or show you something to avoid?
Yes, I often work out problems when I dream, or the dreams have ways of revealing solutions to current issues. I've also had warnings in dreams.
A good example: A few months ago, my boyfriend ended his friendship with a co-worker because she was jealous of me, and she wanted more from him (even though she's married). A few days after he had told me that their friendship was over, I had a dream of all three of us sitting at a table. (We used to hang out some, have lunch together or go play disc golf). But the look she had in her eyes scared me. Keep in mind, this woman is not scary, at all. I've never been scared of her, and I'm still not. But in the dream, the look she gave me sent shivers down my spine.
And now, several months later, she's trying to stir up trouble. The morning I woke up from having that dream, I had the sense of "don't let your guard down." So, the fact that she's trying to start something does not surprise me. I had a feeling that she would try sooner or later.
Do you keep a dream journal?
Yes and no. I have one, which does have many dreams recorded in it, in addition to some I typed up. But usually, I'm really good at remembering my dreams. If it's a dream that I want to remember every detail (or as much as I can recall) then I will write it down so I can analyze it later. But if I can get the gist or the gut feelings from dreams, I typically don't write them down.
Many see their respective deities in their dreams. Have you ever experienced this?
Yep. And it has only happened since I became a Heathen. I've seen Thor, Loki, and Odin in my dreams. I'm sure there have been other deities as well, they just weren't as obvious as those three.
When it comes to dream work there are so many herbs you can use. Which ones work best for you?
I used to tie a bag of lavender to my bed frame and angle it so it would sit under my pillow. But since I got rid of my bed frame I can't really do that anymore lol
Have you ever made a dream pillow before?
Nope, never even heard of that. Sounds interesting though. Might look into it.
I absolutely love talking about dreams. I'm so glad that this was the topic of the month!