This week, we’re looking at a waking dream about a
confrontation in an empty parking lot. An enraged driver accused the “dreamer”
of following her. When the dreamer denied the accusation, the driver yelled at
her, using obscenity-laced language. You can scroll down to my last post to
read the dream in its entirety.
The next step is to isolate the symbols and see what
metaphoric associations they have for the dreamer. Notice, especially, her
metaphoric description of the symbol “shrub.” How many of us would have come up
with that answer? That descriptive association is unique to this dreamer, and
it is an example of why it is so important that only the dreamer describe the
symbols of her own dream.
To coax the metaphoric associations from the dreamer, I
begin with the “Tell me about it” prompt:
Tell me about…
* Driving: I was doing chores, just normal stuff.
* Parking lot: It’s where you park when you’re doing your
business.
* Shrub: In this case it was for my work. I was using
it to be creative and to bring nature into my creativity.
* Clippings: Small samples to use.
* Making prints: You create a likeness of something natural.
* Dye fabric: Give it color and beauty.
* U-turn: I needed to go too far, past my entrance, and
then I had to double back.
* White SUV: White reminds me of purity; SUVs are all
about protection and power.
* Parked next to me in
an empty lot: She was trying to be
intimidating.
* Away from buildings: We weren’t near the business. We were on the outskirts.
* Woman in her 50s: She looked a little bit past her prime.
* Glaring: She was full of anger.
* Be of help: I was trying to assist to bring resolution.
* Didn’t roll down her
window: Defensive posture.
* Why the f**k: Rage.
* Following me: She thought I was chasing her, but the
opposite was true; she was chasing me.
* Taken aback: Totally shocked and surprised.
* Bullsh**: Another expression of irrational rage.
* Got my tools: Collected the equipment I needed to do my
work.
* Drive away: I could hear and see her SUV receding and
leaving me alone.
* End of confrontation: We no longer were at loggerheads, but I
couldn’t get her out of my head.
Some initial
observations
Keep in mind that this was a waking dream, an experience
that happened in broad daylight, not during sleep. But the narrative that grew
out of describing what happened, contains a poignant message.
What resulted from our discussion is a series of phrases
that the dreamer offered as metaphoric interpretations that she associated with
the symbols of this waking dream. If you read through them you become aware of
distinct themes that repeat themselves throughout. Those are the themes that we
will explore on Friday. In the meantime, I was particularly taken with the
dreamer’s description of the “U-turn” symbol. She said she needed to go too
far, and then had to double back. Interesting! We’ll ask her more about that.
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