By Ron McVan (2008)
C.G. Jung was of the belief that dreams are a form of some impartial photography of unconscious life, the compensation of our rational vision of things, the voice of the ‘other’ in us. But this voice uses a language which is strange or lost to us; it is a language which is important to decipher, not because it deliberately hides something, but because it is archaic, symbolic, and visual—and since the unconscious life is not static, dreams, also, express a search motive of sorts, into the future.
As we begin to understand that mythology is the foundation of life that is the timeless pattern–the religious formula–to which life shapes itself through characteristics that are a reproduction of the conscious mind, it is likewise evident that a similar, direct externalization of the psyche is, also, found in dreams. The degree of the directness of the images presented in dreams and in mythology is, to say the least, very much the same. In this respect, dreams and mythology are nearer to one another than, for instance, dreams to poetry. Yet, it is mythology which is, to quote Shakespeare, “Such stuff as dreams are made of.”
Commonly, dreams are regarded as ventures into a mysterious otherworld. Carl Jung believed that dreams were a kind of impartial photography of unconscious life… the compensation of our national visions of things, the voice of the ‘other’ in us.
Great minds of ancient days, such as Homer, Aristotle, and Plato, all concurred on the general idea prevailing of the times that there are divine manifestations to the soul in sleep whereby men might learn the future.
Temporary visitors to our dreams are often animals. The appearance of an animal in a dream should not be overlooked, as they can often signify a specific meaning of significance. Animals as symbol have been of high esoteric importance since the earliest of times. Below are listed fourteen primary animals which are often frequent visitors in our dreams.
BEAR: In Teutonic traditions, the bear is dedicated to Thor, because of its strength. A sect of Viking warriors known as the ‘Berserkers’ derived their name from the wearing of the bear shirts in battle, which was a symbolic statement of strength and fearlessness. A bear is significant of overwhelming competition in pursuits of every kind. To kill a bear portends extrication from former entanglements. A young woman who dreams of a bear will have a threatening rival or some misfortune. A bear may signify a power which will soon present itself in your life. Bears are known to hibernate for long periods of time which might indicate that you need a personal retreat for a while.
BOAR: A symbol of courage, ferociousness and victory, and for this reason, a favorite power animal of the hero and warrior class. Familiar in the domain of the gods Frey and Freyja, in olden days were sacrificed at Yuletide in honor of Frey. Esoterically speaking, the boar works well in matters of success and protection in trying circumstances and personal honor.
BULL: Attributed to the moon, the bull is symbolic of strength, fertility and rage. Symbolic to the high God Poseidon. To see one pursuing you, means buisness trouble—envious and jealous competitors will harass you. To see a bull goring a person means misfortune from unwisely using another’s possessions will overtake you. To dream of a white bull signifies that you will lift yourself up to a higher plane of life than those who persist in making material things their god. It usually denotes gain.
CAT: The cat was once a popular object of worship in Egypt, Rome and Persia—familiar companion to Freyja. The Egyptians sometimes depicted their High God Ra in the form of a cat striking a serpent to symbolize the power of good over evil. The Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet was also depicted as a cat. To dream of a cat and snake on friendly terms signifies the beginning of an angry struggle. To dream of a clean, white cat denotes entanglements which, while seemingly harmless, will prove a source of sorrow and loss of wealth. To dream that the cat scratches you, an enemy will succeed in wrenching from you the profits of a deal that you have spent many days making. If a merchant dreams of a cat it is a bad omen for his business. With its tenacity, agility and strong associates to the divine, it is not surprizing that people thought the cat had nine lives. Nine is the number of universal truth.
DRAGON: Symbol of wisdom, longevity and potent magic—possessors of full ancestral memory. As an emblem of authority, dragons appeared frequently throughout ancient Aryan society. Among the Teutons the word ‘dragon’ meant ‘chief ‘, and all the power associated with that position, notably ‘Pendragon’. Dragons may appear in a dream as a potent messenger from a time before time. To fly on dragon’s wings in a dream marks the birth of new spiritual insight and ability in your life. A dragon also denotes that you allow yourself to be governed by your passions and that you are likely to place yourself in the power of your enemies through the outbursts of sardonic tendencies. Such a dream should warn you to cultivate self-control.
EAGLE: To see one soaring above you means lofty ambitions which you will struggle fiercely to realize, nevertheless, you will gain your desires. To see one perched on distant heights denotes that you will possess fame, wealth or a high position in life. To ride an eagle’s back foretells that you will make a long journey in your search for knowledge and/or wealth, which will be attainable to you. Eagles, considered the elite of birds, have symbolized since most ancient of days both authority and power. To dream that you will kill an eagle portends that no obstacles are before you and that you will reach the heights of your ambition. To see a dead eagle killed by someone other than yourself signifies high rank and fortune will be wrested from you.
FOX: Known for cleverness, stealth and cunning—to dream of a fox denotes that you are engaged in doubtful speculations and risky love affairs. If you see a fox slyly coming into your yard beware of envious friendships; your reputation is being stealthfully assailed. To kill a fox is a prediction that you will win in every engagement.
HAWK: To dream of a hawk is a sign that you will be cheated in some way by intriguing persons. To shoot one foretells that you will surmount obstacles after many struggles. A hawk can denote that enemies are near you and they are ready to take advantage of your slightest mistakes. To see a dead hawk signifies that your enemies will be vanquished.
HORSE: To dream of a white horse indicates that things are favorable for prosperity and pleasurable commingling with congenial friends and fair women. If a white horse is soiled or lean, your confidence will be betrayed by a jealous friend or woman. If the horse is black, you will be successful in your fortune, but you will practice deception, and will be guilty of assignations. To a woman this dream would be interpreted that her husband is unfaithful. To ride or see a horse denotes ease and comfort. To ride a runaway horse foretells the trouble of friends. A dead horse signifies disappointments of various kinds. To ride a horse down hill, your affairs will undoubtedly disappoint you.
LION: Known for strength, courage and fearlessness, a lion is also an emblem of the golden sun, full of might and potency. To dream of a lion signifies that a great force is driving you. If you subdue the lion, you will be victorious in any engagement. If it overpowers you then you will be open to the successful attacks of enemies. For a young woman to dream of young lions foretells of new and fascinating lovers. To hear the roar of a lion signifies unexpected advancement and preferment with woman. To see a lion’s skin denotes a rise to fortune and happiness. To see caged lions is symbolic that your success depends upon your ability to cope with opposition.
OWL: The symbolic emblem of ancient Athens and affiliated with the goddess Athena—it is symbolic of wisdom and the occult. To hear the hoot of an owl in a dream is an omen of bad tidings. To see a dead owl denotes a narrow escape from desperate illness or death. To see an owl foretells that you will be secretly maligned and be in danger from enemies.
RAVEN: A familiar symbol of Wotan, whose two pet ravens represent thought and memory—they are respected as birds of mystery and wisdom. To the Teutons they were also known as birds of ill omen, fabled to forebode death. To dream of a raven denotes reversal in fortune and inharmonious surroundings. For a young woman it is implied that her lover will betray her. For personal magic, allow the raven to be a spirit guide in your dreams, a protector and a strong link to the natural world.
SNAKE: Despite fear of this cunning creature, the snake was sacred to many groups, including the Druids, Egyptians and the Priestesses at Delphi—it is a symbol of the fertile earth and healing. The shedding of snake skin betokens renewal and rebirth. To dream of snakes is a foreboding of evil in its various forms and stages. To see them wiggling and falling over others foretells struggles with fortune and remorse. To kill them, you will feel that you have used every opportunity of advancing your own interests or respecting that of others. If they bite you, you will succumb to evil influences, and enemies will injure your business. To dream that a snake coils itself around you and darts its tongue out at you is a sign that you will be placed in a position where you will be powerless in the hands of enemies, and you will be attacked with sickness. To handle them, you will use strategy to aid in overthrowing opposition. To see them bite others foretells that some friend will be injured and criticized by you.
WOLF: Known for cunning, stealth and prowess, Wotan is often seen flanked by his sacred wolves, Geri and Freki. To dream of a wolf shows that you have a thieving person in your employ who will also betray secrets. To kill one denotes that you will defeat sly enemies who seek to overshadow you with disgrace. To hear the howl of a wolf predicts the discovery to you of a secret alliance to defeat you in honest competition.
Dreams are an important part of our lives and almost a third of our lives are passed in slumber. It is to our greater advantage to make serious efforts to understand and interpret the messages of our dreams and their symbolism. Remember that everything that exists upon Midgard (earth) has its ethereal counterpart. Man is a creature of reflection; he becomes that upon which he reflects. Unfortunately, most people cling to the pleasures and woes of the material world to the exclusion of the subjective realm of spirituality. The wisest and most effective prophets and sages are those who dipped deeply into the fountain of universal knowledge, using dreams with more frequency than any other mode of divination.
Each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth and the wealth of mankind is the wisdom that they leave.