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It's that time of year when the veil between worlds is thin."What worlds?" you ask.
The world of the so-called living and dead.
Halloween is the time to embrace the inevitability of death as a natural part of the cycle of life (if you are into Goth then you've already got this nailed...tattooed, or pierced).
For those of us non-Goths this might not be such an easy task. Think about it, we are not encouraged by the media to embrace death...no! We are encouraged to preserve an idealized "Teenage Dream" (ode to Katy Perry) and to "make it" in the land of the living. Yet, according to mystics and shamans (men or women of power and wisdom) if we can't embrace death then we can't fully live. This is why Halloween is such an important holiday to celebrate...in the light of day and in the darkest hours of our sleep.
Let's tiptoe back in time, shall we? Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain (the Celtic new year) and the Christian holiday All Saints' Day. This was considered a time to honor departed loved ones, reflect upon the ending of cycles, and to honor the dark days of winter as a reminder to go inward to discover one's internal light switch. (Ok they didn't have light switches back then...it was probably more like igniting ye olde inner torch.)
As one that has taken up residence on the Dreamtime Bridge between sleep and awake, I tend to pay attention to dream themes, in particular as they relate to the seasons and cultural and global events. From my experience the following are the most common Halloween dream themes and symbols that tend to rise up like bobbing apples from the collective unconscious to be acknowledged (or at least to make for some great ghost stories).
Read on for the top 10 Halloween dream symbols ... if you dare ...
10. Graveyard/Cemetery/Tombstone
Dreams of a cemetery/graveyard/tombstone represent a distinct change or the ending of a cycle, i.e., a relationship, business affair or significant chapter in your life. You may be grieving and moving through the bittersweet sorrow of missing your connection to a loved one or you may be releasing a cherished attachment.
9. Black Cat
Contrary to most people's superstitions, a black cat does not inherently represent bad luck -- whether it crosses your path in real life or in a dream. Black cats are known as creatures that can traverse other dimensions. I personally believe that dreams of a black cat are a message for you to pay attention to your intuition and psychic abilities, as well as your feminine essence and sensuality.
8. Chasing or Being Chased
Dreams of chasing something or someone signifies that you believe that what you need is out of reach...perhaps you are being seduced by the thrill of a hunt for something/someone you think will make you more whole than you currently perceive yourself to be. If you are being chased you may be running from an undesirable aspect of yourself or from an adverse influence. My suggestion is, in your waking state, imagine that you confront who (or what) you are running from, ask it why it's chasing you, and negotiate closure. After all, what you resist persists.
7. Zombies, Monsters, and Ghouls... oh my!
7. Zombies, Monsters, and Ghouls... oh my!
Dreams of a zombie represent a part of you or someone in your life that is living on auto-pilot, being mindless, or controlled by the media or popular opinion to the exclusion of their own internal GPS. Dreams of monsters and ghouls (aka shadow creatures) symbolize your dark side (hey, don't shoot the messenger...every character in our dreams represents an aspect of us...the beauty and the beast, the fertilizer and the flower). Ghouls and monsters represent that which is unintegrated, rejected, or perceived as unacceptable and thus suppressed. Keep in mind that it is only a shadow creature until you've embraced it in the light of your awareness. Go ahead and embrace your inner Jason (without saying "Ewwwww!")
6. Witch/Old WomanAlthough scary, an old witchy woman (aka crone) in a dream symbolizes great wisdom and empowerment. Often a witch or an old woman represents darkness, jealousy, or vindictiveness. A metaphysical interpretation of the crone, however, is that she is a primary instigator of spiritual growth that ushers someone who is stuck in unconsciousness to find their conscious power. Because the crone doesn't have a people-pleasing bone in her decrepit old body, she represents independence, freedom, authenticity and one who makes up her own rules. In essence, dreams of a witch signify your irreverent power and ability to create magic in your life.
5. Skeletons
Dreams of a skeleton can reflect the foundational structure of your business, relationships, or your belief systems in general. If the bones in the skeleton are strong and healthy, then so is your foundation. If the bones are weak or brittle, then it is time for you to strengthen your foundation from the inside out. If you have an eating disorder, this dream may be a warning for you to EAT and keep your food inside your body! Also, skeletons can represent secrets that are scratching at the closet door to be revealed.
4. Mask
Dreams of a mask are about honesty and can represent shame about your authentic self, fear that you are not good enough, powerful enough, or strong enough, and that you are unwilling to reveal the real you. Keep in mind that sometimes the wearing of a mask is a necessary step of evolution until your ego has integrated the power the mask symbolizes, at which point, the mask is no longer necessary. Masks also represent ancient symbols of power, evoking the medicine (qualities) of the Gods/Goddesses they represent.
3. Falling
Dreams of falling symbolize a feeling of loss of control, a lack of confidence, and that you are losing your step as a result of not having your feet firmly planted on the earth. This dream can symbolize that you are overwhelmed with the events in your life. Alternatively, this dream could be showing you that you are falling into a deeper, more profound aspect of yourself, asking deeper questions, and exploring the depth of your true nature.
2. Death/Dying
Contrary to popular belief, dreams of death and dying ARE NOT A BAD THING! Dreams of death are very common in that it is the job of your subconscious mind to keep you alive and your dreams may be assisting you to process fears of death and dying. Keep in mind that Native Americans believe that the most powerful way to live is as if death were over your shoulder. If you dream of your own death then you may be contemplating the value and impact of your life. Dreaming of someone else dying is about transformation and change in your relationship with them, not necessarily a forecast of a literal death. You might also be venting out your fears of losing someone that you love. Often a dream of death represents the ending of a chapter in your life, and that a new cycle is about to begin. Allow this dream to inspire you to ponder what aspect of your life may be coming to a close, and how can you more harmoniously participate in the new beginning that is beckoning.
1. Departed Loved Ones
When you dream about someone you love who has crossed over you might feel that you've actually had a visit with them...because maybe you have. Pay particular attention to the dream situation they come cloaked in and to the words they convey. These dreams are often literal, requiring a minimum of interpretation and a maximum of meditation. At the very least you can feel grateful for having a connection not only with your departed loved one, but with life beyond your five senses...and all that resides on the other side of the veil.
So, if you are having a dream starring any of the aforementioned dream symbols know that you are right on track with the season and perhaps being initiated into a deeper level of wisdom and perception. And if Freddy Krueger comes to call in your dreamtime, give him a kiss for me.
Got a dream you want Kelly to interpret? Fan us on Facebook, then post your dream here.
Dream doctor Kelly Sullivan Walden is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and author of the bestselling book "I Had the Strangest Dream ... The Dreamer's Dictionary for the 21st Century", as well as "Discover Your Inner Goddess Queen ... An Inspirational Journey From Drama Queen to Goddess Queen." Kelly is featured regularly on Fox News as well as in Cosmopolitan, Elle, Bride, Seventeen and US Weekly. She is the creator/founder of The Dream Project, a nonprofit organization bridging the gap between the United Nations and inner-city schoolchildren.
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Sunday 31 October
By Paulina
What about the dream about "the river?" I'm sure no one here has ever dreamed about the river.. Unless of course, somebody actually was pronounced dead and then came back to life! That's the only way you could have ever had a dream about the river. If you approach the river and you walk away and walk in the opposite direction of the river, you have cheated death.. If you approach the river, and you actually cross the river, that means that death is imminent. My cousin who was giving birth, and a very hard one at that, legally died, but was resuscitated (sp?). My mother on the other hand, was very sick. She had a dream about the river, and she unfortunately crossed over the river. 3 weeks later, she was dead. She also didn't just dream about the river just once.. Multiple times.
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Sunday 31 October
By ruthsgardens
This is what happens when you talk to hypnotists,therapists or psychologists.Nothing different than talking to a psychic.It is generalizations.Then with additional input on your part, they make you feel better.If you want to understand dreams,talk to a memory expert or neurologist.Dreans are simple.It is the human body relaxing venting stored energy and also the brain.If you talk to any memory expert, you will see how they can memorize a phone book. Simply by understanding the brain as we know it.The brain stores information by association.Kind of like a computer with I/O bits.Just like a card shark.Jack ass ate live queen.Jack,ace,eight,five,queen.Everything you remember is by association.When you see someone, facts are stored like bits.Redhead,hot,poor,broken arm etc.When recalling someone the redhead bit might be connected to a bunch of other bits who stored redhead.But only one may connect to another for broken arm.This is how the brain works and I will prove it to you.I will tell you now how to program your brain for recall.Think about someone you knew in the first grade.Someone who you can't recall their name.If you remember their name think about someone else.It has to be someone or something you can't remember.When you do think of someone, then say to yourself in a short sentence 3 times.What was the name of the redhead who sat behind me in first grade.The shorter the sentence with more facts works best.After you say it 3 times in your mind,forget about it.Do or think of something else.Once you have done this,your brain will not rest until it gives you the answer.All of a sudden a name will fleet into your mind.If it is wrong you will feel a queezyness in your stomache.If it is right you will know it is right.Otherwise your brain will continue to search the neurons using association.Normally you will have an answer in 1/2 hour.If you don't,rephrase your question.Many students use this method when taking exams.They ask theirselves, what is 2+2 3 times and go on to the next question.Your brain will continue to work in the background recalling that information until it gets it right.This is also very helpfull before you go to sleep.A problem you could not figure out during the day,ask yourself that problem 3 times before you go to sleep and by morning you will have the answer.Though you may have a restless sleep until the brain figures it out.Also you can program your brain what to dream about using this same method.You can say I want to dream about beautiful women 3 times and then forget about it and think of something else and you will.Without the conscience programming, the brain and body will vent energy.It will direct the necessary energy to the vital organs and the parts that need repair.A cramped muscle during the day can become an accident dream as the brain associates all the neurons activated for that muscle.That can result in a twitch.How many people have had dreams of an injury to wake up seeing they slept on their arm or wrist? Or feeling someone sitting on their bed when their leg was just twitching? Why the body goes to sleep,nobody knows.Whether the spirit returns to the father everynight and then is breathed into the body to awaken it is also unknown.It does make sense that the spirit needs to leave the body for the body to regenerate. After all it is a mortal body and perishable.Even a cars engine has to rest or it breaks down.Who knows.The spirit may actually leave into another dimension or universe until the body is awakened.Nobody knows.But we do know that the brain and the body shuts down parts of itself to heal and regenerate.And that is by association.And that is why dreams can be so aloof and tend to make no sense.To me all dreams are about escapism.The spirit escaping from the body or just going dormant for some time.The Bible tells me that "when the silver chord parts,the soul returns to the father from whence it came."And also "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."Maybe our spirit does return to the father every time we sleep,awaiting whether he wants to breathe us back into that body again.It is his will.It does make sense.But don't listen to me because I stayed at a holiday inn last night.LOL.
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Monday 15 November
By Franni
Come on,people! There are all different kinds of dreams and different reasons for the dream. Think about it: remember President Lincoln's precognitive dream about dying: Guess what? It happened!
I dream about [or used to] plane crashes! AND THEY REALLY HAPPEN THREE DAYS AFTER THE DREAM! Think on that!
There are Freudian Dreams,Dreams by Jung AND PARANORMAL DREAMS: you as the dreamer decide the meaning.
Sunday 31 October
By john
I had a dream I was at a Holiday Inn the Other Night.
Hummm... .
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Sunday 31 October
By Tammy
Dreams are our subconcious minds way of working through the things that happen to us in our every day lives. Dreams can predict things that are going to happen. Sometimes they help us work through things that have happened to us in our pasts. They aren't a waste of time, and we would eventually die if we couldn't dream anymore. Everyone dreams, but if you can't remember yours it is simply because by the time you fully wake up they have already become fleeting memories. But if you ever get the deja-vu feeling, it could be because it is something you dreamed that is now happening to you.
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Sunday 31 October
By miss pearl
THANK YOU!
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Sunday 31 October
By mikevan12975
can you imagine that this woman claims to be able to interprate dreams? what a clown....
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