Astrology and Dreams

The World of Dreams

Your Guide To Inner Space

By Dikki-Jo Mullen

Excerpt from Koo Hollie and The Corn Goddess Chronicle , an allegorical novel.

We’ve all wandered there. The bizarre and mysterious world of dreams has tantalized and mystified people for thousands of years. References to messages received in dreams are found in early religious texts as well as poems and stories. Even the hieroglyphic records of the Ancient Egyptians contain accounts of dreams. Dreams are a key to inner space. The inner universe we access each time we sleep is where we spend about a third of our lives.

Dreams are vital to our physical and emotional well being. Experiments show that dream deprivation leads to the development of many undesirable symptoms such as depression and paranoia. Psychologists Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung are credited with overcoming the deceptively casual attitudes people had toward dreams at the end of the 19th and in the early part of the 20th Centuries. In early times witches and shamans once deliberately guided dream themes to aid in the evolution of those on the spiritual path. Incense burned upon retiring for the night as well as the use of herb stuffed dream pillows were techniques used to enhance and magnify the dreamscape. Today, we have come full circle in dream work. Once again recording dreams for future reference and dwelling upon a theme in hopes of exploring it in the dream state are common practices. Recurring dreams, shared dreams, precognitive dreams, communication with the spirit world and nightmares are all variations on the dream experience.

A 2nd Century AD writer, Artemidoras, compiled the very first dream book. He wrote that Dreams are infused into people for their advantage and instruction. Eastern European mysticism refers to a doppelganger, a German word meaning body double which was the shadow self, the animal nature which we control by day goes wild at night. This gave rise to tales of werewolves and Jekyll and Hyde legends linked to the dream state. A focus on dreams opens a whole new perception of the self.

The study of dreams is both practical and informative. Some guidelines to start with involve being aware of common themes experienced in dreams. These are: 1) Food theme dreams. These relate to desires and appetites which seek to be satisfied. Food dreams can be a metaphor for money and power as well as fulfillment in love. 2) Flying. Flight in dreams can show an urge to escape, to get ahead or to move on a spiritual quest to a higher level. 3) Prophetic and preparatory dreams. These describe events to come and are the mind’s way of getting ready for the future.

A dream uninterpreted is like a letter unread. There’s a tremendous reservoir of comfort and healing to be found in working with dreams. Begin by keeping a journal, either in writing or on tape. In time, it will be easier to recall more detail, as you become accustomed to recording dreams each day. Even for those who say they dont dream or recall dreams ever, just writing down a single word or emotion will soon bring about a whole new level of insight. Its important to make a record of dreams immediately upon waking. Once the feet touch the floor we are grounded in the everyday waking world and the dreams fade. It’s best to do dream work while still lying in bed.

Astrology can be helpful in dream analysis. The Sun sign, the basic birth sign nearly everyone knows, is descriptive of the ego and sense of identity. In spiritual or esoteric astrology the Sun becomes the soul itself. As a dream exercise find your birth sign listed below. While falling asleep, dwell on the keys it provides. Let your birth sign unlock the potentials of your own inner space experience. It might take a couple of attempts, but as you reflect upon the message of your birth sign while falling asleep, in time, your dreams will expand upon it.

Aries

Focus on achievement and leadership needs. You have a pioneer instinct.

Taurus

Sustenance and security are at the heart of your dream themes.

Gemini

Association of ideas and the need to communicate will guide your dreams.

Cancer

Protection, preservation and historical themes will affect your dreams.

Leo

Creativity as well as leadership and adulation open your dream keys.

Virgo

Order and analysis as well as health care are your dream work assignments.

Libra

Balance, justice and relationships are your dream time focal points.

Scorpio

Probing mysteries, working through passions and possessiveness are part of your dream experience.

Sagittarius

Aspirations, challenges or interaction with animals will be at the heart of your journey through dream land.

Capricorn

Attainment, executive duties, and the force of tradition will guide your dream work.

Aquarius

Inventiveness, the spirit of the gypsy and rebel, comes alive through your dream reverie.

Pisces

A yearning for more love and the reduction of suffering through service will be at the heart of your dream time.

 

Herbs Of Dream And Spirit

Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) and Sandalwood (Santalam Album)

For centuries herbs have been beloved for their healing and aromatic properties. Two especially marvelous ones for you to try are Mugwort and sandalwood. The Mugwort is a wonderful smudge. It can be combined with cedar, sage, etc. for purifying and calming. It brings dreams, a clear perspective, peace and relief from torment. The Indians used it as a flu tonic. Burn it, drink it as a tea or put it into a sachet bag to carry and enjoy. The Sandalwood incense rejuvenates and uplifts. It will open your crown chakra and elevate you spiritually. For centuries it has been burned to draw in the favor of the Gods.

Remember to sleep on it if you have a question or problem. Think about the issue as you fall asleep. Within a few nights you will either awaken with an aha moment and just will know what to do or a dream will offer insight and guidance. A lucid dream is a waking dream where the dreamer has some conscious control over the adventures and actions experienced. This can be very good for overcoming anger and disappointment about life experiences. Visualize a train, let it journey backwards as you hop aboard while falling asleep. Let the ride take you back to a past life. Keep track of the past life train rides and you can have an actual regression to your past lifetimes. This helps in understanding present life situations.

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