The Journey of Dream Interpretation
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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
How to Interpret Dreams
Dream Central's Unique Method of Dream Analysis
In the article “Dream Central’s Unique Method of Dream Analysis,” Dream Central describes how to interpret dreams. First of all, you need a notebook to record your dream. If you don’t like writing, you can use a cassette recorder to record your dream, but you will still eventually have to write it down. Furthermore, only write down the dreams you feel are important. When they are important, “you will feel it in your bones” (unknown). Second of all, you need to tell yourself that you will remember your dreams. Dream Central also gives tips on the proper way to sleep such as how many hours of sleep you need, etc. In addition, Dream Central said you need to recognize the theme before you do anything else. Next, you need to figure out where that theme can be seen in your life. Then you can begin to look for symbols – universal and personal. Dream Central gives generic examples of both.
This website was very useful. I learned that the reason why I don’t remember my dreams most nights is because I don’t get enough sleep during the weekdays. I also wake up to an alarm almost every morning; this is another thing Dream Central suggested not doing when trying to remember dreams. This website made me think that maybe sometimes I should keep track of my dreams. They are always very peculiar, and before all the research I have done on dreams, I never would have thought my bizarre dreams could symbol something in my life. Additionally, I always have random people in my dreams. Before reading this article, I never would have thought they could represent characteristics, good and bad, of me. I thought that was really interesting to learn.
unknown. "Dream Central's Unique Method of Dream Analysis." Dream Central. Dream Central, unknown. Web. 21 Apr 2010. http://www.sleeps.com/analysis.html.
In the article “Dream Central’s Unique Method of Dream Analysis,” Dream Central describes how to interpret dreams. First of all, you need a notebook to record your dream. If you don’t like writing, you can use a cassette recorder to record your dream, but you will still eventually have to write it down. Furthermore, only write down the dreams you feel are important. When they are important, “you will feel it in your bones” (unknown). Second of all, you need to tell yourself that you will remember your dreams. Dream Central also gives tips on the proper way to sleep such as how many hours of sleep you need, etc. In addition, Dream Central said you need to recognize the theme before you do anything else. Next, you need to figure out where that theme can be seen in your life. Then you can begin to look for symbols – universal and personal. Dream Central gives generic examples of both.
This website was very useful. I learned that the reason why I don’t remember my dreams most nights is because I don’t get enough sleep during the weekdays. I also wake up to an alarm almost every morning; this is another thing Dream Central suggested not doing when trying to remember dreams. This website made me think that maybe sometimes I should keep track of my dreams. They are always very peculiar, and before all the research I have done on dreams, I never would have thought my bizarre dreams could symbol something in my life. Additionally, I always have random people in my dreams. Before reading this article, I never would have thought they could represent characteristics, good and bad, of me. I thought that was really interesting to learn.
unknown. "Dream Central's Unique Method of Dream Analysis." Dream Central. Dream Central, unknown. Web. 21 Apr 2010. http://www.sleeps.com/analysis.html.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Attempting to Interpret Dreams
For my interaction, I asked a couple of friends and one of my sisters to write or tell me their dreams from the past couple of days. A couple of them couldn't remember their dreams, but those that did gave them to me. I also wrote down one of my dreams to interpret. Interpreting each dream was like solving a puzzle. First, you break the dream down into parts. Then, I researched what each part could mean. Usually, there was more than one meaning for each part. When I found all of the interpretations for each piece of the dream, I had to decide which interpretations went together so the dream would make sense as a whole. It was also important for me to know a lot about the people whose dreams I interpreted. What they were going through at that time helped me decide which interpretation of for example, falling, made the most sense in their situation.
Interpreting dreams was very difficult. It took a lot of research and it was hard trying to figure out which interpretation was the best for the person and his or her characteristics. For example, dreaming about fireworks could mean someone is excited about something. On the other hand, it could mean that someone is releasing feelings he or she has held in. From attempting to interpret dreams, I learned that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a good interpretation. It also takes practice!
Interpreting dreams was very difficult. It took a lot of research and it was hard trying to figure out which interpretation was the best for the person and his or her characteristics. For example, dreaming about fireworks could mean someone is excited about something. On the other hand, it could mean that someone is releasing feelings he or she has held in. From attempting to interpret dreams, I learned that it takes a lot of time and effort to get a good interpretation. It also takes practice!
Here is an example of one of the dreams I interpreted.:
Dream: "The dream starts out with my dad talking about my adopted brother (who is nonexistent). Apparently, my brother was born ten minutes prior to my dad informing me about the adoption; we had adopted him earlier. Then, we transition to us" (not sure who all that represents) "at our neighbor's house trimming their hedges and sticking fireworks into them to blow them up. Apparently, one of them caught my beagle on fire, but no harm done. As we finish extinguishing our dog, the Black Eyed Peas show up so I can finish my tour with them as a back-up dancer. We start dancing and celebrate as the tour has come to an end. We get on the bus and while on there, the Black Eyed Peas spike my drink to get me to tell them my story. The dream ends with me going to take a shower to sober up." ~ Zach Searcy
Interpretation: Your adopted sibling represents new responsibility you have to take on. You have the responsibility to keep up your grades before graduation and then start getting ready to move off to UNA. The fireworks represent how excited you are about going to college. You express your happiness by dancing. You feel free because you will soon be able to live on your own. When you are drunk, it symbolizes you feeling you need to escape, or leave home. This relates back to you dancing for freedom.
**I tried to figure out every detail, but I had a hard time figuring out how the Black Eyed Peas, the dog catching on fire, and becoming sober related to the rest of the dream.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Biblical Dream Interpretations
Understanding the Dreams You Dream
In the book Understanding the Dreams You Dream, Ira Milligan tells us thast God communicates through dreams all the time; He visits us every morning according to Job. We often think the dreams are pointless, though, and forget about them when they could've been an answer to our prayers. Milligan says dreams are a snapshot and to help us remember them. Milligan then desribes everything you need to know about interpreting dreams - what to look for, what kind of dream it is, how to know if it's changeable, what repetitious dreams mean, using proper application, and whether or not the dream is from God. Milligan uses Bible verses to help us understand what he explaining. The rest of the book is a dictionary with the most common Biblical interpretations for each word mentioned. The translations are backed up with at least one Bible verse, too. The dictionary has nine different sections to make it easier when looking up words. The sections range from animals to colors to vehicles and parts. One example of an interpretation is seventeen, under the numbers section. The description is "incomplete: immature; undeveloped; unfinished; childish; naive; a babe in Christ" (Milligan 97). Milligan got this description from Genesis 37:2a and Jeremiah 32:9,15.
I think Milligan did a really good job describing how to interpret dreams and what certain things mean when dreaming. He used one of his and one of his friend's dreams to help the reader understand what he was saying. Moreover, I loved the fact that he used tons of Bible verses to help prove to me that what he was saying was true. Sometimes, the verses reiterated what Milligan said. It was nice to have the interpretation clarified again in different words. At times, though, the verses weren't helpful, at least to me they weren't. For example, I didn't see how the verses used to back up the interpretation of the number seventeen were helpful. They didn't seem to apply to the translation, but I think that it just because I didn't understand the verses.
Additionally, I enjoyed learning the different between night visions and dreams. I didn't even know some of the things we see while sleeping were called night visions. I thought everything was a dream. Milligan says night visions don't need much, if any, interpretation because each one usually has a voice relaying the message of the vision. A dream, on the other hand, "seldom lends itself to self-interpretation" (Milligan 8). Another thing I really liked about the book was the dictionary itself. It will come in handy for times when I have dreams I don't understand.
Milligan, Ira. Understanding the Dreams You Dream. 2nd ed. Shippensburg: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 1997. Print.
In the book Understanding the Dreams You Dream, Ira Milligan tells us thast God communicates through dreams all the time; He visits us every morning according to Job. We often think the dreams are pointless, though, and forget about them when they could've been an answer to our prayers. Milligan says dreams are a snapshot and to help us remember them. Milligan then desribes everything you need to know about interpreting dreams - what to look for, what kind of dream it is, how to know if it's changeable, what repetitious dreams mean, using proper application, and whether or not the dream is from God. Milligan uses Bible verses to help us understand what he explaining. The rest of the book is a dictionary with the most common Biblical interpretations for each word mentioned. The translations are backed up with at least one Bible verse, too. The dictionary has nine different sections to make it easier when looking up words. The sections range from animals to colors to vehicles and parts. One example of an interpretation is seventeen, under the numbers section. The description is "incomplete: immature; undeveloped; unfinished; childish; naive; a babe in Christ" (Milligan 97). Milligan got this description from Genesis 37:2a and Jeremiah 32:9,15.
I think Milligan did a really good job describing how to interpret dreams and what certain things mean when dreaming. He used one of his and one of his friend's dreams to help the reader understand what he was saying. Moreover, I loved the fact that he used tons of Bible verses to help prove to me that what he was saying was true. Sometimes, the verses reiterated what Milligan said. It was nice to have the interpretation clarified again in different words. At times, though, the verses weren't helpful, at least to me they weren't. For example, I didn't see how the verses used to back up the interpretation of the number seventeen were helpful. They didn't seem to apply to the translation, but I think that it just because I didn't understand the verses.
Additionally, I enjoyed learning the different between night visions and dreams. I didn't even know some of the things we see while sleeping were called night visions. I thought everything was a dream. Milligan says night visions don't need much, if any, interpretation because each one usually has a voice relaying the message of the vision. A dream, on the other hand, "seldom lends itself to self-interpretation" (Milligan 8). Another thing I really liked about the book was the dictionary itself. It will come in handy for times when I have dreams I don't understand.
Milligan, Ira. Understanding the Dreams You Dream. 2nd ed. Shippensburg: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 1997. Print.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Dreams about Losing Teeth
http://www.dreammoods.com/cgibin/teethdreams/pl?method=exact&header=dreamid&search=teethintro
"My Teeth are Falling"
Dreaming about teeth falling out is another common dream. On dreammoods.com, falling teeth dreams are the most common dreams they receive. In dreams about teeth, teeth may fall out, grow crooked, rot, or crumble in your hands. These types of dreams have many different interpretations. One example is that you are self-conscious about your image. The world today models people with bright white teeth. Furthermore, someone might have a fear of being rejected or getting old. These two things both play a part in appearance. Often times women going through menopause will dream this because they are getting old and no longer feel as feminine. Losing teeth can also symbolize your fear of being embarrassed in an upcoming event. Moreover, teeth can represent the feeling of not having power in some, or all, parts of your life. A Biblical interpretation is that your faith is being put somewhere other than in God's word. Dream Moods also describes the Greek and Chinese cultures' iterpretations of falling teeth.
I think Dream Moods has done a great job describing the interpretations for falling teeth. I can see how each of these symbols would apply, that is, depending on the person and what is going on in his or her life. In the article, the authors says "Sadly, we live in a world where appearance and attractiveness matter and your teeth help to convey that image" (unknown). This is so true; today, teeth are always being edited before a person's picture is put in a magazine. Falling or rotting teeth is a great way to tell someone what they might not realize while awake. I can also see how teeth represent power. I use my teeth to chew on my food, and without them, I am unable to do this; I lose the power I once had over my food. On the other hand, I have a harder time grasping the Biblical interpretation. It doesn't make sense to me that of all things, God would use rotting or falling teeth to show me that I am not putting all of my trust in Him. I know, though, that He knows better than me and has a reason for choosing teeth to symbolize this.
"My Teeth are Falling." Dream Moods. Dream Moods, 15 Jul 2009. Web. 14 Apr 2010. http://www.dreammoods.com/cgibin/teethdreams.pl?method=exact&header=dreamid&search=teethintro.
"My Teeth are Falling"
Dreaming about teeth falling out is another common dream. On dreammoods.com, falling teeth dreams are the most common dreams they receive. In dreams about teeth, teeth may fall out, grow crooked, rot, or crumble in your hands. These types of dreams have many different interpretations. One example is that you are self-conscious about your image. The world today models people with bright white teeth. Furthermore, someone might have a fear of being rejected or getting old. These two things both play a part in appearance. Often times women going through menopause will dream this because they are getting old and no longer feel as feminine. Losing teeth can also symbolize your fear of being embarrassed in an upcoming event. Moreover, teeth can represent the feeling of not having power in some, or all, parts of your life. A Biblical interpretation is that your faith is being put somewhere other than in God's word. Dream Moods also describes the Greek and Chinese cultures' iterpretations of falling teeth.
I think Dream Moods has done a great job describing the interpretations for falling teeth. I can see how each of these symbols would apply, that is, depending on the person and what is going on in his or her life. In the article, the authors says "Sadly, we live in a world where appearance and attractiveness matter and your teeth help to convey that image" (unknown). This is so true; today, teeth are always being edited before a person's picture is put in a magazine. Falling or rotting teeth is a great way to tell someone what they might not realize while awake. I can also see how teeth represent power. I use my teeth to chew on my food, and without them, I am unable to do this; I lose the power I once had over my food. On the other hand, I have a harder time grasping the Biblical interpretation. It doesn't make sense to me that of all things, God would use rotting or falling teeth to show me that I am not putting all of my trust in Him. I know, though, that He knows better than me and has a reason for choosing teeth to symbolize this.
"My Teeth are Falling." Dream Moods. Dream Moods, 15 Jul 2009. Web. 14 Apr 2010. http://www.dreammoods.com/cgibin/teethdreams.pl?method=exact&header=dreamid&search=teethintro.
Dreams about a Scary Presense and being Chased
"Dream Interpretation with Jane Teresa Anderson - scary presence, being chased"
A woman interviews Ms. Anderson on nightmares where you wake up and you are afraid to open your eyes because you feel like someone is in your room. The woman goes on to ask if we are awake or if we are still dreaming when we feel this way. Ms. Anderson says that this type of dream is very common. She goes on to say that "When a dream is really, really terrifying, your body physical releases adrenaline. So, the same fear response you have when your awake, you have in your dream" (Anderson). You often wake up after a nightmare because of the adrenaline released. Furthermore, sometimes a few seconds after waking up, you are still seeing your dream. Ms. Anderson says usually a face isn't seen by the presence in your dream. This symbolizes you casting away something in your life. You don't want to, or can't, face it.
The same woman also inquires of Ms. Anderson how to interpret a dream about being chased. A dream about being chased usually means that you are running away from a situation, person, etc. You might feel like you can't handle a situation and that it's better to just run away from it. This type of dream helps you consider what you're running away from and if that is the best thing to do, or if it would be better to face your fear.
Ms. Anderson seems to be well-educated on dream interpretations. In the six-and-a-half minute video, I learned new things about nightmares. I had no idea that people could release adrenaline while they sleep. I also learned that sometimes when waking up, you are still seeing your dream. Though my scary presence dreams are not necessarily exactly the way she described, I have had them in the past. When I wake up in the middle of the night, I am always afraid to get out of bed. I fear there might be a person somewhere in our house.
Anderson, Jane. "Dream Interpretation with Jane Teresa Anderson - scary presence, being chased." YouTube. YouTube, 10 Sep 2008. Web. 14 Apr 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p43HVpF0_ng&feature=related.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Interpretations of a Falling Dream
I'm Falling
http://dreammoods.com/cgibin/fallingdreams.pl?method=exact&header=dreamid&search=fallingintro
The website Dream Moods has a lot of different things you can look at from dream history to research to interpretations. One of the common dreams Dream Moods interprets is a falling dream. Falling dreams usually happen right as you fall asleep. Often times you wake up with a jerk. A common meaning for this dream is that something in your life is making you feel insecure, instable, or anxious. You feel like you don't have control over some part of your life. Another common interpretation is that you feel like a failure or inferior whether in school, at work, etc. According to Dream Moods, "you are unable to keep up with the status quo," or at least that is how you may feel (unknown). Sigmund Freud's theory is that when you dream of falling, you might be thinking about giving in to a longing for sex. The Biblical interpretation of this type of dream is that you may not be walking with the Lord. Instead, you are falling into the temptation of the world and are trying to do everything on your own.
To be able to know what your dream means, you must know what is going on in your life at the time, but I think all of these interpretations are good. They all make sense to me. At first I didn't agree with Freud's theory, but when I thought about it more, I realized that falling in your dream could mean you are thinking about "falling" into the temptation of having sexual relations. Furthermore, the Biblical interpretation is great. As some point in a Christian's lifetime, he or she will walk away from God and try to do his or her own thing. Falling in our dream is a great way for God to remind us that we are leaving Him. More people need to know about this interpretation so that in the future, when God sends them this type of dream, they will know why.
The website Dream Moods has a lot of different things you can look at from dream history to research to interpretations. One of the common dreams Dream Moods interprets is a falling dream. Falling dreams usually happen right as you fall asleep. Often times you wake up with a jerk. A common meaning for this dream is that something in your life is making you feel insecure, instable, or anxious. You feel like you don't have control over some part of your life. Another common interpretation is that you feel like a failure or inferior whether in school, at work, etc. According to Dream Moods, "you are unable to keep up with the status quo," or at least that is how you may feel (unknown). Sigmund Freud's theory is that when you dream of falling, you might be thinking about giving in to a longing for sex. The Biblical interpretation of this type of dream is that you may not be walking with the Lord. Instead, you are falling into the temptation of the world and are trying to do everything on your own.
To be able to know what your dream means, you must know what is going on in your life at the time, but I think all of these interpretations are good. They all make sense to me. At first I didn't agree with Freud's theory, but when I thought about it more, I realized that falling in your dream could mean you are thinking about "falling" into the temptation of having sexual relations. Furthermore, the Biblical interpretation is great. As some point in a Christian's lifetime, he or she will walk away from God and try to do his or her own thing. Falling in our dream is a great way for God to remind us that we are leaving Him. More people need to know about this interpretation so that in the future, when God sends them this type of dream, they will know why.
"I'm Falling." Dream Moods. Dream Moods, 07 Oct 2008. Web. 8 Apr 2010.
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