Ocean Dip
Heather
Jacaranda 1990

~~~~~~dream~~~~~~

The dream showed a far reaching view of mountains. Many trees softened the landscape and isolated lights from some houses on the hills added a feeling of comfort. A jacaranda tree emerged towards the centre of the dream.

 ~~~~~~

My life at the time was devastating. I had reached an all-time emotional low and was under incredible stress. I had found myself caught in a situation where it was a case of either allow myself to be discredited, or tell the truth, which would have not only ruined two people, but their families would have suffered as a result.

Since it would never be an option for me to cause harm to anyone, let alone innocent people, I chose to remain quiet. I was aware that if I didn’t move away, I wouldn’t recover. To give myself a break from the trouble, I decided on a holiday at my son’s property in the north.

From his house, there was an open view across the tops of mountains; many trees and a few scattered houses from which lights could be seen at night. I longed to stay there, but had to return to my home down south. My concern for a grandchild was such that returning seemed the only thing I could do.

The dream showed me a profound peace of mind that I had forgotten existed. Once experienced, it became like a magnet, drawing me towards the direction in which the dream, and its location, pointed.

I decided to return to live in the north. It took only a month between the dream and making the move, and I settled in a pretty rural town that I had liked while on holiday. This was a severe wrench for me, as I worried about my grandson. My health continued to deteriorate and a succession of dreams reassured me that my grandson received much spiritual protection, so I found the courage to go forward in my own interest.

The jacaranda tree from the dream belonged to a family whom I met soon after arriving up north. It was several months before we realised that our paths had crossed some twenty-five to twenty-six years before we met. The husband was shocked when he realised who I was. He said, ‘No-one should have to suffer what was done to you at the time’, referring to a bad marriage and deception over property and money. His family was highly respected in the district. I was accepted because of my association with them.

I have no regrets at taking action on my dream. The four years since making the move have been difficult at times, due to several stress-related illnesses. Nevertheless, a pattern of positive influences began to emerge. I have now reached the stage where my health is much better, except for my vision, which has been irreparably damaged. I am happy and have many friends, some from the past who remained loyal, and I enjoy peace of mind.

Jane’s Interpretation

Just as a landscape painting captures a mood, an outlook, a juxtaposition of foreground to background, a central focus and a distant view, the dreamscape (the dream’s landscape) carries the same potential for interpretation. Our dreamscapes may capture our present mood, present outlook and present focal point, summarising our unconscious assessment of our present life in one grand picture. Alternatively our dreamscapes may paint pictures to inspire or motivate ourselves towards a higher goal or purpose. Novice dream interpreters frequently find this confusing. How can we tell which dreams enlighten us, or put us in the picture about our present situation, and which entice us to make positive, life-enhancing changes? When the unconscious speaks, it often does so without reference to time.

The answer is easy: ask the dreamer! The dreamer knows whether the dreamscape corresponds to his or her present situation, or whether it represents an enticement to move forward. The dreamer’s response is unlikely to be a vague ‘I suppose so’, as if they are trying to fit the interpretation to their life or their wishes. When the interpretation matches either the dreamer’s present condition or a feasible future, he or she will feel a definite ‘yes, that’s it!’ as the interpretation resonates with the unconscious.

In Heather’s case, the feeling of peace, a complete contrast to the state of mind at the time of the dream, inspired and motivated her to move into a similar environment, as her story tells. The appearance of the jacaranda tree in her waking life acted as a synchronicity to confirm the importance of the dream, the necessity to place herself in a peaceful environment.

Knowing Heather’s dreamscape was futuristic, the interpretation becomes a portrayal of the gains Heather’s unconscious was seeking in inspiring her to look for more peace in her life. The tree emerging towards the centre of Heather’s dream probably represents herself, the central character in her own dreamscape. The fact that she, or the tree, is placed centrally is a good sign: well centred, focused. Presumably, the tree was seen as healthy. Heather would need to ask herself ‘If a jacaranda tree has a personality, what would it be?’, to get a more accurate picture of the personal benefits of the move. She would also be wise to contemplate what other significance jacaranda trees might have in her life, as this may be the central issue requiring her attention in a peaceful setting.

The rest of the view is panoramic and the feelings the dreamscape inspires are the interpretation: comfort, softened and far reaching. This is what she needed most at the time of the dream, and this is what she decided to go out and make happen in her life.

Ocean Dip
Mary
A Change of Scene 1986

~~~~~~dream~~~~~~

I was going to work in the city in my car. The streets were dark and deserted. I parked and walked to the place where I was to work. It was a deserted building, no-one was there.

I knew I was to operate a computer in a darkened room alone and I worked for some time. A man came into the room and told me I had worked beyond my shift. I told him that I might as well stay and do the next shift. When I left I was not able to find my car.

I walked alone through dark, deserted streets, anxious, fearful and lonely. Suddenly I was high on a hill in dazzling sunlight. A wide open road lay before me: it was deserted. I knew I was expected to walk down that road, but I was afraid to do so because I was concerned that fast cars might come along and hit me. A child appeared and was starting to walk down the road but I stopped the child from going because I feared for its safety.

 ~~~~~~

This dream came very soon after a break-up of a long-term relationship with a man I presumed I’d marry. I was stunned and very depressed, although I had initiated it.

The dream left a big impression, largely because the changes of scene was so dramatic from dark, narrow, twisted streets to brilliant light and a wide open road which was actually shining. My mood was changed in an instant from one of depression to one of elation and excitement.

I had been reading a lot on dreams and their meanings and interpreted the dream as follows: I had lost direction. My life was going nowhere and I was lonely and unhappy. I had lost count of time and had devalued myself to the extent that I was willing to work longer hours in inhuman conditions like an automation. In the depths of despair a new path opened up, if only I would choose to walk down it. Part of me was eager to take the chance but I was aware that I needed to take time to be sure the way was safe to travel. I’d been badly hurt and needed nurturing, and not risk making decisions too soon, but the chance was there when I was ready.

A series of dreams reinforced the message from that first one. I wasn’t aware of taking any steps at that time to turn my life around other than becoming more involved in my career, working on my self-esteem and just getting through, but I began seeing results of the changes I was making in my life after about a year. Looking back, I realise now how my self-esteem and confidence have increased one hundred percent since the day I had that dream years ago.

My life is very different now. Eventually, after some years apart and no contact, I met the man again. We had both changed so much, gained in maturity, self-esteem and confidence. We married; now we are very happy.

Jane’s Interpretation

My interpretation would have been very similar to Mary’s. Mary makes the point that further dreams reinforced her conclusions about the meaning of this dream. This is the built-in ‘safety device’ we can always rely on. If you interpret a dream and it recurs without change, then you have probably either misinterpreted or not taken action. The dream repeats itself because the issue it concerns has not been addressed in waking life. The secret is to interpret a dream and take a tentative step towards action - a very small, safely-tested step. If your interpretation is correct, a further dream will slap you on the back in congratulation at the move you have made and encourage you to go further. If you misinterpreted your dream, though, following dreams will certainly hold up big ‘STOP!’ signs. This should not be taken as an indication of inadequacy in dream interpretation, but as a positive sign to go back to the drawing board because, knowing what the dream does NOT mean is a big step towards elucidating what it DOES mean. This ‘trial and error’ approach can be very successful, but remember, it only works when you take small testing steps on your interpretation first!

There may also have been a warning in Mary’s dream that her natural tendency would be to work on herself in isolation, or to stay in ‘deserted’ mode to address her relationship breakdown, rather than to begin the journey and tackle the fears. While this might be a suitable method of working through grief for some people, Mary’s dream suggested that lingering too long, ‘beyond the call of duty’, might result in losing her direction or drive (symbolised by losing her car) altogether. Perhaps the dream showed a solution to this natural dilemma. Mary realised through the dream that a light-filled path did exist, that there was direction in her life and that it was there for the taking when, and only when, she felt nurtured and resilient enough to face any risks that new journey might involve.

Dream scenes often change dramatically from night to brilliant sun-filled day when we bring insight from the (dark, unknown) unconscious into the clearly seen light of the conscious mind. In Mary’s case, the newfound conscious knowledge was that a future direction did exist, that there were fears to overcome, and that her best approach would be a gentle one.

Realising potential by getting into the driver’s seat and taking back control in life was a major factor in the life-changing dreams of seven people: Mell, Akira, Dee Dee, Nellie, Kate, Andy and Michaela.

Michaela, as we will see, did it literally in her dream, grabbing the wheel from the back seat and reclaiming her rightful place as captain of her own destiny.

Ocean Dip
Michaela
Michaela's Dream 1985

~~~~~~dream~~~~~~

I was a small child in the back of my father’s car. The car was all over the road and I was being thrown around all over the place. I felt very frightened. All of a sudden I looked at my father’s face. It seemed so ugly and horrible.

With a surge of courage and determination I reached across the seat, leaned over his shoulders and straightened up the steering wheel and took control of the car. The car started to drive in a straight line forward.

 ~~~~~~

My life before this was a life of anxiety, fear, distrust and panic.

I came from a dysfunctional family and my father was very angry and sometimes violent. I was a victim of physical, mental and emotional abuse, but, thankfully, not sexual abuse. Being so young and not having the emotional strength to endure this situation, I repressed my feelings and pain. I put a smile on my face and totally blocked off my feelings.

My father died when I was twenty-five years old. By this time I was married to a lovely man and had four children. I had everything a person would want but I was unhappy at times, I needed to look inside and heal my pain. By the time I was twenty-nine years old my body had totally broken down. I needed help but I did not know where to go.

The dream was the turning point. I interpreted it as meaning that my father had instilled so much fear in me as a child that I was still letting this control my life as an adult. I could let myself go downhill even more, or I had the power to make changes in my life. It was time for me to take control of my destiny. I acted on the dream immediately and my life path has been straight and onward forward since.

I took control of my life and released the pain that held me back. I achieved this by a process of looking inside through meditation which released all the hurt, and through reading books on spirituality. This gave me hope and faith. At thirty-three years of age I began to have spiritual healing. After about six months of continuous visits to the healing centre I began to feel well again.

I have perfect health now. I feel I have totally forgiven, accepted and released my father. I have thanked him for the experience. This life with my family and parents has not only made me a stronger person but I now help others to heal by spiritual healing, counselling and other natural modalities. I have a meditation group each week also. I feel my creativity has awakened and that I am full, like a rose in bloom.

Jane’s Interpretation

Michaela’s dream clearly illustrates the power of a personality, even after death, to control the life of another. Yet this is not the full story. As Michaela realised, what we perceive as being controlled by another person is often more a case of allowing ourselves to be subject to their control. Even after death. In any relationship we tend to accept and reject aspects of another’s personality, changing the way we are. We learn from the relationship and adapt accordingly. We admire and assimilate traits of the other, become convinced by them and take on their perceptions, or recoil and develop in opposition to everything they represent. We respond to the other with delight, fear, love, denial, indeed a whole barrage of emotions, conditioning ourselves into set behaviour patterns, attitudes and perceptions which we take forward to weave into our future relationships. As children, of course, we are especially vulnerable in our relationships with our parents. Dreams such as Michaela’s help us to see ourselves in perspective and to see which aspects of our early conditioning are inappropriate in our adult lives.

Car dreams are excellent metaphors for the way we move through our life. Cars can represent our drive (literally), our motivation (is the engine working well?), our energy levels (fuel?), our progress (going forward, slipping back or stuck in the mud?), our style (what kind of car?), our direction (where are we going, or are we lost?), how difficult we perceive our journey to be (any vertical roads to negotiate?) and much more. Dreams of realising you are not in control of your own life (not at the wheel, not feeling in control, or worse still, like Michaela, both) have the power to shock us into firmly grabbing that steering wheel once and for all.