Wicca Spirit Newsletter Dreams and Dreamworking

First, it's important to understand that dreams speak in symbolic language, and while there are certain symbols that we all have in common ("archetypes" for example) we all respond to symbols differently. Therefore, no "dream interpretation" book is really going to be all that helpful. You need to learn what the dream symbols mean to YOU personally, not what they might mean to someone else.

Second, Dream images are often very important, and have important messages for us. If we learn to listen, they can be tremendously important guides in our lives. After all -- they come straight from our own deep mind, which has access not only to all we know in our normal, waking consciousness, but also to all the intuitive flashes and insights and perceptions we have, subconsciously, as well as the knowledge and experiences of our "Higher or Deep" Self.

Third, Dreams have *many* levels of interpretation.

The first level is that every single thing, person, prop, or symbol in the dream is, on some level, an aspect of YOURSELF, which is trying to "communicate" to you. For example, say you have a dream about your mother, your father, your teacher, your best friend, your worst enemy, your "sweetheart", and yourself ....and your pet, and the neighbor's dog. EVERY single person and thing in the dream is an aspect of your*self*, representing some part of yourself -- giving "voice" to some part of yourself. The first "level" of interpretation would be to figure out what "role" -- what aspect of your SELF, each character is playing. Then, what is that "role" saying?

CONFRONTING NEGATIVE DREAM IMAGES:

Here's another hint: confronting negative or threatening dream images will frequently make them either go away, or shrink down to a manageable size, and they will have some important message for you.

Say, for example, you're being pursued by a monster. If you are able to stop running, catch your breath, turn around and confront the monster, you'll usually discover that it shrinks down to normal size and has something to say -- like, "I’m the child within you, and I'm just trying to make you listen to me -- i need more fun in my life! I want you to take me out to a park and play on the swings!" See how it works?

LUCID DREAMING:

A dream in which you KNOW your are dreaming is called a "Lucid" dream.

Lucid dreaming is the first step to being able to work with your dreams -- you can learn to "direct" them, change them, complete unfinished dreams, etc. There are several websites that deal with Lucid dreaming, and suggest ways to learn how to Lucid dream on demand.

One suggestion is to repeatedly ask yourself during the daytime, "Am I dreaming now"? Have a pre-determined way of checking -- for example, say you will attempt to fly if you're dreaming. Periodically, check to see if you're dreaming by attempting to fly. (Not too obvious, unless you want everyone else wondering what's happened to you!) - say, maybe a little hop or skip. If you continue this exercise faithfully for several weeks, eventually you WILL start doing it when you're asleep, and you will eventually find yourself flying -- that's when you'll know you are lucid dreaming.

DREAM JOURNAL:

If you want to start making your dreams work for you, begin keeping a regular "Dream Journal". Keep it right by your bedside, along with a pen or pencil, perhaps some colored pencils, and a small flashlight. [Between the few seconds it takes to awaken, get up, turn on a light and find your journal, you can have forgotten 90% of the dream!] If you have these things handy, you can immediately start writing down everything you can remember about the dream - don't bother writing in complete sentences -- the "Dream Police" won't come by to check out your journal. Just record everything you can remember, including every character, prop, symbol, time of day, season, and the general mood and feeling of the dream. If you have trouble remembering, just do some basic centering, calming, close your eyes, and try placing yourself back in the dream.

The very act of beginning to focus more on your dreams, starting a dream journal, will communicate your intent and commitment to your "deep mind" , and it will respond by giving you more dream material to work with.

MAGICKAL DREAM PILLOW:

Another help to communicate your intent to your Deep Mind is to make a magickal, charmed "Dream Pillow".

First, decide precisely your intent: do you want to have more meaningful, powerful, peaceful, spiritual, psychic, or ??? dreams?

Remember, be sure about your intent because you are working magick, and you WILL get what you ask for (a very well known magickal motto: "Be careful what you ask for, the God/dess will surely see you get it!")

When you have determined your purpose, Put together a pinch of several appropriate herbs, while keeping firmly in mind your intent:

For psychic powers:

mugwort, lilac, lemongrass, heliotrope, nutmeg, sandalwood,

For Sleep:

lavendar, narcissus,

For Spirituality:

heliotrope, lotus

For Purification:

acacia, cinnamon, cloves, jasmine, lavender, sandalwood

For Protection:

cypress, myrrh, patchouli, rose geranium, rosemary, rue, violet

For Power:

carnation, rosemary, vanilla, dragon's blood

Put together any pleasing combination you wish, enclose or sew into a small cloth "bag" (as simple or decorative as you wish), again, keeping firmly, focused in mind your intent.

Then "empower" it (Preferably on a Full moon night).

Here's a suggestion for empowering:

center and ground; sing or chant to raise energy; get a clear, strong image in your mind of what you want (again, be prepared -- you WILL get what you ask for!) -- then breathe on it, infusing it with your desires. You might also present it to your God/Goddess, asking for Their blessings/assistance.

Then sleep with this Dream Pillow, affirming to yourself before you go to sleep, that you will dream and that the Pillow will work its magick. Remember to keep your Dream Journal and equipment nearby -- you'll need it! Keep track of your dreams over time, and keep track of any happenings during your waking hours which may apply to your dreams.

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A Past Life Dream Spell

Our dreams serve as doors to other realms.

You can use your dreams to recall former lives, and then use this information to help you deal with problems in your

current life.

Perform this spell at bedtime when you aren't overly tired.

To start, you'll need a smooth and polished amethyst stone.

Sitting on a bed, hold the amethyst and say:

"I call on the power of perfect memory to enable me to see a past life I've lived; it shall be revealed in my dreams.

I'll see only what I should see.

So mote it be."

Place the amethyst beneath your pillow and go to sleep.

When you awake, record any images you recall.

Repeat this spell over many nights for best results.

___

Prophetic Dreams Spell

Before You Begin: Be Careful This is a rather simple spell, but you are "playing with fire" before bedtime.

Make sure you have extinguished all burning things before you cross into slumber.

Sprinkle some Jasmine on your pillow, and make sure you have a dream-journal or the like at your bedside to record your dreams in, and brew a cup of mugwort tea. (NOTE: mugwort is unhealthy in large doses, so go easy, and consult an Herbal Reference book for proper instructions if you are unfamiliar with this tea.)

Light blue candles on your altar.

If you want to gain insight into your passions or your loves, burn Damiana as well.

Watch the smoke as it coils, and allow it to carry you off into the trance-like state that you spend most of the day avoiding.

Say whatever comes to mind, appealing to the Goddess or God of your choice to guide your dreams.

you can say something like:

"Blessed be the Lord and Lady,

For they created the world,

The earth to hold,

The sun to warm,

The moon to guide,

The spirit to dream."

Take sips of the mugwort tea as you repeat the words, gaze into the smoke, and when you feel yourself just about to "cross the line" blow out the candle(s) and say:

"So mote it be."

Go to sleep. Dream away. Just remember, you don't always get to hear what you'd like.

___

A Spell to Stop Nightmares

This is a very simple ritual, easy to perform. It should work for people who have repeating nightmares (children as well).

You need:

one white candle (not big)

one white or silver ribbon (it should be long enough to fit your wrist)

any piece of silver/ an object made of silver that you don't constantly wear on yourself and sleep with it (it can be a ring you don't wear, or a silver cup, even a silver spoon)

Sit in the dark in your bedroom, put the ribbon around the candle, light the candle and put it some place opposite to your face. Watch the flame burning for couple of minutes and relax... then close your eyes and imagine beautiful scenes... which are, in your mind, related to emotions of happiness and peace. It could be anything, it's quite an individual thing. Meditate for as long as you wish... When you feel relaxed and able to focus on one single thing, approach the window, holding the burning candle in your hands, and look at the Moon. If you can't see it from your window, or any other window at your place, or from the yard, just keep on standing there and then just look at the Sky. Say these words:

"The Moon is my friend

who's listening to me

bringing the beauty

into my dreams.

The stars are here

forever to shine,

bringing serenity

and peace of mind.

When I close my eyes

they won't be gone,

keeping me safe

till the dawn."

Repeat these words as many times as needed - until you feel them truly gaining power.

After this, extinguish the flame, in case the candle haven't burned down, take off the ribbon and put it around your wrist before going to bed. Leave the candle and a piece of silver on your window till the next morning. Then remove both of them, and the silver ribbon from your wrist. You can repeat this ritual 1-3 times a week, always using a new candle and a new ribbon. However, collect the ribbons. When you feel your nightmares are gone get rid of them.

Continue doing this ritual once a week until no longer needed.

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