Dream Dictionaries?

[como_crema]

This thought has been on my mind for a while, and I don't know if anyone else has posted something like this before, but oh well.

Why is it that if you buy a dream book or something that there is only basically one answer to each of the symbols in the dream? I mean, I honestly doubt that everyone's dreams have the same meaning.

Say for example some one dreams of a "Wolf" I do not believe that it means the same thing in everyone elses perspective. Everyone's mind is different, so why would the meaning be the same.

[Clarity]

Yes I agree with you, it really does seem absurd to think each symbol would have only one meaning. You can look at things from various perspectives, and besides, symbols like these in my view are always bound by the concepts of a certain culture. As we all are culture-conscious to some degree, we also confine ourselves to interpreting dreams within the limits of the culture in which we´ve grown up. This is why there is no such thing as ´the correct way of interpretation´. We all see things in a different light, and to create a dream dictionary which would include all the billions of meanings of each symbol and the ways to interpret these meanings would be impossible.

Sometimes it is, however, comforting to take a dream book in your hand and relax by combining and deliberating different views. I find it very relaxing, but taking every word literally would be a waste of time. Anyway this is just the way I see it. What an interesting topic, Como Crema!

[Jennings]

I harbour considerable doubt about the benefit of a dream dictionary and have made mention of this view previously. Dreams, as you have suggested, are unique to the dreamer and are principally allegorical in structure and the only reasonable method of encrypting them is solely from the contents of the dream. The dream is like a jigsaw puzzle that requires to be assembled but somewhere within the dream there is a key metaphor that needs to be detected to unravel it in order to assemble together its remaining bits. Dream analysis is not a science but more of an art that involves the element of detection. A complex dream could be subject to varying interpretations most of which may be valid but mostly dreams are simple in form and reflect the dreamer's underlying (usually immediate) concerns or joys.

Words, regretfully, while they assist in denotement also have their downside in that they restrict meaning. In dream interpretation wider discretioin of meaning is required in determining the dream's message. Many interpreters of dreams do so from their own subjectivity when what is required is objectivity. Subjectivity has no part in dream intrepretation. Dream interpretation is neither about promising nor predicting some form of luck or unluck. The message in the dream is personal and applicable only to the dreamer and understanding it can bring some insight into what is occurring in the dreamer's world and may help the dreamers in managing their lives more efficiently and competently.

I interpret dreams, read teacups, and hands (gratutitiously), but, whenever I have read what others, who have set themselves up as authorities on those subjects, have said about them, my later experience has found them to be inaccurate and the writers imposters. One may get some guidance from others on those subjects but the best teacher of all is one's own personal observation which has to arise from both apptitude and interest.

Incidentally, allegory is the universal language that is subject to the same interpretation in any culture.

I hope this helps.

[Clarity]

I wouldn´t exactly call allegory a universal language. Sorry if this sounds weird, maybe a little bit off topic, however, assuming that everyone, regardless of their religion or cultural heritage, among others, would be able to interpret allecorical meanings in the same way is merely wishful thinking.

By the way, I think it´s great that this board isn´t only designed for professionals, but for ordinary people to share their views on dreaming. Jennings, you obviously have a lot of knowledge, thank you for sharing that with us, however, I still haven´t encountered one person in here who´d actually be a professional, or even set themselves up as one. If you´re looking for scientific insights then I have to say you´ve landed on a wrong planet. As far as I´m aware of, academic qualifications aren´t a requirement to taking part in these conversations. Good luck for everyone

[Jennings]

I am a little uncertain Clarity of whether you are referring to me as being a professional or an academic as neither is the case but possibly I am misunderstanding to what you are alluding. Like others on this forum, I am an amateur enthusiast who enjoys reading the contributions of others unconditionally.

You sound very self-assured about your view of allegory but surely you have read Aesop's Fables or Omar Khayyam to quote two obvious examples. Aesop was a native of Greece while Khayyam was Persian; both wrote in allegorical terms, indeed, so does the Christian Bible. Folk tales too are allegorical. All of those cross the boundaries of nationalism. If you cannot comprehend this then obviously you are unable to understand allegory's cryptic messages.

[Palehorse]

Right here on this web site:

http://www.sleeps.com/analysis.html

It explains dream analysis. Dream dictionary definitions *change* from person to person based on how they view a symbol.

A person might see a "beach" as a source of fear (near drowning as a child, etc) so that person dreaming of a beach may not have an interp identical to someone with no note-able beach "incidents".

Most symbols are extrapolations of subconscious imagery related to "emotions" and events in one's life. A dream dictionary is only useful when the dream has no connection to the symbol, in this case the *stock* interp has merit. *Mostly* people carry their own dream dictionary in their head. We dream usually about what we know.

[Wolfjk]

Originally Posted by como_crema

This thought has been on my mind for a while, and I don't know if anyone else has posted something like this before, but oh well.

Why is it that if you buy a dream book or something that there is only basically one answer to each of the symbols in the dream? I mean, I honestly doubt that everyone's dreams have the same meaning.

Say for example some one dreams of a "Wolf" I do not believe that it means the same thing in everyone elses perspective. Everyone's mind is different, so why would the meaning be the same.

Hi,
My experience with dreaming has changed over the years. At first I was puzzled by the way dreams make the sleeper move, talk, take notice of outside stimulii and sometimes respond to questions or commands. However in the last few years I realised that most of the dream is taken up by the maintaining and raising the level of consciousness in sleep. The subconscious mind uses the sleeper's past experiences and creative ideas to nudge the level of consciousness nearer to waking, or keeping it from falling lower. It is interesting that the memory or experience of seeing light or colour is the main energy source of dreams. I think all dreams begin with seeing light and colour, and continue with ideas and concepts, sometimes strangely juxtaposed.
So, dreams lead us a merry dance in sleep. The first part of the dream is to raise the level of consciousness to a stage where the brain can comprehend, only after this stage is reached can the dream deliver a message, or command the sleeper to do this or that.
I think it is a mistake to think that dreams have any meanings beyond what they want the dreamer to do in sleep. Many of the symbols or metaphors are used by the dream to raise the level of consciousness.
It is perhaps understandable that the older scientists made the fundamental error of dismissing dreams as trival mental activity.
With the advance of science and understanding the Laws of Thermo Dynamics, entropy and Quantum mechanics one would think that the modern researchers would be more informed. I think dreaming is a fundamantal life force - not only in humans but all living things. Even in the unborn child.
Cheers Wolfjk

[Varzandeh]

Hi,
If the dream dictionary is based on the holy books and a true mythology then the problem is solved ,
In my opinion dreams are caused by the soul when it exits the body when sleeping and goes to the other stations of the life events and takes the message in a language that is unique for all the human being.
We had an old Forum here that I replied to more than 9000 dreams and I think if you search on it you will find 3000 people have confirmed that what was predicted for the near future , had happened.

[unclesirbobbyrobson]

yes exactly. If you buy a conventional dictionary then each word will often have sevral different meanings and may be used in different contexts. Try my own dream dictionary its probably more along your onw lines

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Foreign languages seem abstract and impossible to understand at first. The same is true with the language of dreams. Many dreams just record your emotions. A dream in which you felt confused simply records the feelings form yesterday when you felt confused. Try to spot connections to something that happened yesterday.

A dream dictionary that explores the variety of meanings in a dream symbol Try this page to help you work out what dream symbols mean. It is based on a bank of real dreams. So the symbolic meanings are as accurate as can be hoped.

Dream symbolism - How to use dream symbols This page shows you how to use dream symbols and how to spot their meaning in real life dreams

[Silent_wisp]

Originally Posted by como_crema

This thought has been on my mind for a while, and I don't know if anyone else has posted something like this before, but oh well.

Why is it that if you buy a dream book or something that there is only basically one answer to each of the symbols in the dream? I mean, I honestly doubt that everyone's dreams have the same meaning.

Say for example some one dreams of a "Wolf" I do not believe that it means the same thing in everyone elses perspective. Everyone's mind is different, so why would the meaning be the same.

I completley agree with you. In my opinion the only dream dictionbary which truly helps is one the dreamer has made themselves. Though sometimes dream dictionaries can help you thik in the right direction, generally they dont provide accurate interpretations