Three types
of dreams
With few exceptions such as prophetic or lucid dreams, which will
be discussed in other articles, dreams can be organized into three
categories: mental, physical and spiritual. Each of these
categories has a corresponding purpose in the various aspects of
our lives. Mental
Mental dreams generally reflect the routine processing of the experiences
of the day and the thoughts and feelings we have in response to
these events. Most dreams actually fall into this category, as
most of our life experiences aren’t typically out of the
ordinary. Although it could be argued that the times we live
in make everyday life more intense. Mental dreams function
like a daily “data download,” categorizing and
processing information before it is sorted and stored into the
long-term memory of our infinite subconscious data bank. Mental
dreams also process the relative significance of important events
of the day, ranking certain content as “high priority,” and
arranging for a dream bulletin to reach our awareness. They
generally act as a commentary on what we’re doing, thinking,
aspiring toward or fighting for in our waking life. We may
not remember all these messages, but they get transmitted. This
feedback affects how we respond the next time a similar situation
appears. Dreams offer us a chance to give ourselves a report card,
determining where we did well or where we need to improve. Physical
Physical dreams often address health issues or physical imbalances
which reveal themselves in dream symbols. Health or medical
dreams can function as early warning systems if recognized for
what they are. Death dreams sometimes appear as strong health
warnings, which are intended to “frighten” us into
paying our attention. Nightmares are believed to be a dramatic
attempt to “get through” to the conscious level after
repeated attempts at symbolism, which were consistently ignored.
In this vein, nightmares may be a category of physical or health
dreams. Some cultures believe nightmares are important harbingers
of coming events. Human nature often stubbornly resists change. Nightmares
can act like a “shock treatment,” dramatically capturing
our attention. Decoding the symbols in the nightmare reveal
where in our body/mind the warning is pointing.
Spiritual
Sometimes called “big dreams,” spiritual dreams are
believed to be messages from our soul to our conscious mind. The “big
dream” deals with spiritual guidance, contact with higher
realms, and has the intent of gaining knowledge and power. A
dreamer in ancient times who sought a dream oracle did so in the
hope of having a big dream. This seems to be shamanic in nature. Big
dreams usually repeat the same theme in a slightly different way
over several nights. Memories of a big dream are generally
vivid and emotion-packed. Other times a big dream is so startling
the experience is like being awake, and the memory remains clear
and stark, and does not fade with time. Big dreams are often
literal, and their messages should be taken seriously.
In any of the three dream categories the most important thing to
notice first are your feelings. Dream feelings, what you’re
experiencing in the dream, seem to foreshadow how things may work
out in waking life. For example, if you’re feeling fear
in a dream, chances are if you recognize and face what frightens
you, the issue you’re concerned about won’t happen.
On the other hand, if your dream is filled with joy, you can expect
smooth sailing with the project or person. If anger is present
when you wake, look out, as that suppressed emotion may erupt unexpectedly
in waking life.
No matter how skilled and insightful another person’s analysis
is the dreamer is the ultimate authority where dream meaning is
concerned. It is your dream; books and experts are only guides. Recognition
of meaning is often accompanied by some physical sensation such
as a chill, or a certainty in the pit of the stomach, a so-called “gut
reaction.” Each person has a built-in internal radar
which defines this sense of accuracy.
Grounding a dream in waking reality is thought to deepen understanding. Take
some action which imprints the symbols and brings the dream into
the waking dimension. This sends a powerful message back
to your soul and subconscious that you’re paying attention,
taking heed, and applying your lessons. Some dreams stay with
you through the day. Others are so powerful their impact remains
over years. Always remember to ask for a dream.
Try keeping track of the dreams you remember over a month and placing
them into one of the three categories. You might see how the
issues relate to one another and determine if a particularly vivid
emotional dream is related to the same issue you have ignored. Now
the stakes are being raised.
Julie Gillentine is the award-winning author
of TAROT & DREAM
INTERPRETATION and other books and articles. Each year she leads
a sacred journey to Egypt. Julie can be reached through her web site
www.queenofcups.com or in Colorado at 970-264-7474.
Julie Gillentine is the award-winning author
of TAROT & DREAM
INTERPRETATION and other books and articles. Each year she leads
a sacred journey to Egypt. Julie can be reached through her web site
www.queenofcups.com or in Colorado at 970-264-7474.
