I love this post and that quote by Von Franz! Too much fire indeed - that explains a lot for me. I sometimes get frustrated when I have dream droughts, thanks for this. I’ve been experimenting with finding the part/person/thing in the dream that I dislike the most and asking it to tell me about itself - that has opened up some doors :)
The von Franz quotation is a helpful nod. Last night I dreamt of being back in the Salvation Army at the weekly band practice, but I hadn't been for decades and the cornet I am given is old, its valves don't work. I felt this was a call to be more regular with my ritual work and to keep tools of the craft well maintained, but the quote reminds me that I can't compel individuation to happen, and that maybe the tools of the craft need to enable the surrender of rigidity, the central ego's desire for control. Really like the idea of having tarot decks close by.
Do you play the cornet? What an interesting instrument to have in the dream. It reminds me of the dream I recounted here (https://www.theartemisian.com/p/shadow-work-as-seance). In that dream, a guitar I played during certain years of me life was featured, which made me consider that version of myself. Does the cornet have that same association for you? Or perhaps something else?
The Salvation Army was a huge home for me, from birth until I finally broke away in my 30s, having been a minister. Played cornet in the band from 7 years onwards. Thanks for your link which I've re-read. So the cornet is symbolic of a version of me as a rather earnest Christian evangelical who gave it her best shot but in the end, not least for being gay, but also through simply losing belief, had to leave. Perhaps I need to think about those sluggish valves a bit more. And the fact that it was v old (brass instead of silver). The dream arrives at a time when, as you know, I am preoccupied with trying to fine 'home' and I am still dealing with the loss of spirituality and having nothing to replace it with. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.
I started reading a book on dream work last night, and this post popped up today evening. What beautiful synchronicity!
I was wondering if you have any suggestions for dream recall? I rarely remember my dreams when I wake up. I have a journal (and my phone) by the bedside so I can jot down anything I remember, but most mornings I draw a complete blank.
Glad to hear the post is arriving at an opportune time. Which book are you reading?
As far as dream recall goes, I find that it gets easier the more you do it. Like learning a language, your ability to translate and understand the communication becomes more refined with consistency. If you don't remember much, write any impression you get when awaking (a sense of an image, the emotions you're currently feeling, any body sensations you notice, etc). Even just writing "I dreamed but I'm not sure what" is helpful.
You might try incubating a dream or meditating on the idea of dreams before bed to create a receptive environment for that evening.
Also, substances (like marijuana) are known to block dream recall. So does inconsistent sleep patterns. So it's good to look at any environmental factors and see if that is at play.
Great dream reports, Brian! Isn't it fascinating how the psyche responds to attention turning towards the depths? Glad these ideas have worked to get dream material moving for you.
It can be tough to pull out constructive insights from dreams, especially when their symbols are still so mysterious. I'd focus on sitting the with pool image. Why is it filled with air and water? What is causing your unsuccessful attempts to drain the elements? If it eventually drains, was there something that seemed to shift that allowed that? The basement is also an interesting dream symbol. In a general sense, sometimes we look at the basement/lower levels as indications of unconscious dynamics (the subterranean and darker levels of psyche).
In riffing on these dream images, I think of the pool as a container, holding the mercurial waters in both its structure and through being inflated. Wanting to transport that container (and what it holds) to a place of learning from the depths of the house. Perhaps something on the unconscious level wants to be brought further into consciousness, and explored in a learning/studying style?
Just some thoughts and musings. Thanks for sharing!
I love this post and that quote by Von Franz! Too much fire indeed - that explains a lot for me. I sometimes get frustrated when I have dream droughts, thanks for this. I’ve been experimenting with finding the part/person/thing in the dream that I dislike the most and asking it to tell me about itself - that has opened up some doors :)
Oh, I really like that technique. Finding the shadowy parts of the dream and giving them space to share their point of view. Powerful indeed!
I like the the quote of Von Franz quote , I’ve been there & most likely I might visit it again !
One thing that I have found helpful is creating something from my dreams and ground it when it’s time .
Choosing one in this here and now cause Dreamwork is a whole playground 🛝
Love this idea. Make the dream images real via creative expression or a concrete action. I find this helpful too!
The von Franz quotation is a helpful nod. Last night I dreamt of being back in the Salvation Army at the weekly band practice, but I hadn't been for decades and the cornet I am given is old, its valves don't work. I felt this was a call to be more regular with my ritual work and to keep tools of the craft well maintained, but the quote reminds me that I can't compel individuation to happen, and that maybe the tools of the craft need to enable the surrender of rigidity, the central ego's desire for control. Really like the idea of having tarot decks close by.
Do you play the cornet? What an interesting instrument to have in the dream. It reminds me of the dream I recounted here (https://www.theartemisian.com/p/shadow-work-as-seance). In that dream, a guitar I played during certain years of me life was featured, which made me consider that version of myself. Does the cornet have that same association for you? Or perhaps something else?
The Salvation Army was a huge home for me, from birth until I finally broke away in my 30s, having been a minister. Played cornet in the band from 7 years onwards. Thanks for your link which I've re-read. So the cornet is symbolic of a version of me as a rather earnest Christian evangelical who gave it her best shot but in the end, not least for being gay, but also through simply losing belief, had to leave. Perhaps I need to think about those sluggish valves a bit more. And the fact that it was v old (brass instead of silver). The dream arrives at a time when, as you know, I am preoccupied with trying to fine 'home' and I am still dealing with the loss of spirituality and having nothing to replace it with. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.
I started reading a book on dream work last night, and this post popped up today evening. What beautiful synchronicity!
I was wondering if you have any suggestions for dream recall? I rarely remember my dreams when I wake up. I have a journal (and my phone) by the bedside so I can jot down anything I remember, but most mornings I draw a complete blank.
Glad to hear the post is arriving at an opportune time. Which book are you reading?
As far as dream recall goes, I find that it gets easier the more you do it. Like learning a language, your ability to translate and understand the communication becomes more refined with consistency. If you don't remember much, write any impression you get when awaking (a sense of an image, the emotions you're currently feeling, any body sensations you notice, etc). Even just writing "I dreamed but I'm not sure what" is helpful.
You might try incubating a dream or meditating on the idea of dreams before bed to create a receptive environment for that evening.
Also, substances (like marijuana) are known to block dream recall. So does inconsistent sleep patterns. So it's good to look at any environmental factors and see if that is at play.
I’m reading Art Therapy, Dreams, and Healing by Johanne Hamel.
Thank you for the suggestions on dream recall. I will try recording whatever I can remember and see if that helps.
You’re welcome!
The book sounds interesting. Art therapy and dreamwork are a great pairing.
Second that as much as alcohol does ! All in all Dream practise needs consistency , patience and experimentation with different dream aspects 🌀🤍🧙♀️
Great dream reports, Brian! Isn't it fascinating how the psyche responds to attention turning towards the depths? Glad these ideas have worked to get dream material moving for you.
It can be tough to pull out constructive insights from dreams, especially when their symbols are still so mysterious. I'd focus on sitting the with pool image. Why is it filled with air and water? What is causing your unsuccessful attempts to drain the elements? If it eventually drains, was there something that seemed to shift that allowed that? The basement is also an interesting dream symbol. In a general sense, sometimes we look at the basement/lower levels as indications of unconscious dynamics (the subterranean and darker levels of psyche).
In riffing on these dream images, I think of the pool as a container, holding the mercurial waters in both its structure and through being inflated. Wanting to transport that container (and what it holds) to a place of learning from the depths of the house. Perhaps something on the unconscious level wants to be brought further into consciousness, and explored in a learning/studying style?
Just some thoughts and musings. Thanks for sharing!