Shadow Work is Harrrd! How Can Rewilding Dreams Help?
Comment
Hello Shadow
This is my parents’ new puppy. While I was home visiting, she was a gentle guide in remembering to embody my true nature.
If only shadow work were as sweet as her…
And why can’t it be? For those of us who have experienced working with the shadow either through dreams, therapy and/or other forms of healing modalities - we know there can be struggles as we break free from old beliefs, deep programming, negative voices, to name a few. There are also times when it’s challenging to honor, embrace and integrate another side of the shadow, which I call our GOLD shadow aspects.
The NEGATIVE shadow will try to keep us boxed in, caged in a mold that only fits into the over-culture and societal norms.
How does this show up? You may notice parts of yourself feeling unworthy of your gifts, patterns of patriarchal thinking, and conscious/unconscious behaviors that lead to numbing out, addictions or depression.
You can bet your shadow will show up when you’re on the precipice of a breakthrough, transition, spiritual awakening or alignment, letting go, stepping into a new phase of life or creative path. Sometimes it shows up to protect you, support you, or keep you small, which manifests in struggles with the unacceptable part of one’s nature.
What are the “unacceptable” parts of one’s nature? This depends on what qualities / traits / behaviors were valued, accepted, nourished, or unaccepted and disregarded in your home, community, culture, and society. There is an inability to see, feel and know your truth.
For example:
*If you never knew how to create boundaries in relationships before, and you begin to set them with others - this potentially would show up as a shadow aspect - making you feel as if you are wrong in your intentions to create healthy boundaries.
*If your gifts and talents were never recognized and nurtured, it may be hard to believe you are worthy of a life utilizing those gifts.
*If you grew up being told you are poor, you may have feelings of lack.
All of these examples can manifest in different ways of intense spiraling; anxiety, depression, self-sabotage, guilt, longing, etc.
How can our dreams help? Our dreams can support and show us how to rewild to our true nature, where the soul lies and lives. The shadow tries to keep the parts of ourselves which are “unacceptable” from becoming embodied, from living through you.
When we embrace our shadow aspects and integrate them into our daily practices, rituals and share these gifts/qualities with others - this is when we begin to feel whole, nourished, cared for, seen as we truly are. With ALL PARTS INCLUDED.
What is Rewilding? Rewilding means to RESTORE to its natural uncultivated state or original habitat. For us humans, I see it as returning to embody one’s true nature.
How do I embody my true nature? Allow yourself to thrive through blessings and love, care and listening. Clarissa Pinkola-Estés, author of Women Who Run With the Wolves, said healers from her culture, would first ask and listen to what the individual’s soul needed. One way to listen is through your dreams. Honor your gifts and blessings. Remember who you are, who you are here to be. Communicate within -- Ask your Soul what it needs.
You’ve heard of soul purpose right? The soul comes alive through the creative things you love to do. This is what makes you unique to who you are. Your soul purpose is found in allowing yourself the time, space and energy to live honoring all the parts of yourself.
Types of dreams showing signs to suggest and/or support rewilding :
Animal Dreams or Unknown Creatures - they may come fierce, larger than usual and many of them
Nature Dreams - being with the land, plants, new territories
Running/Hiding from Predators (this usually shows up as authority figures, dark, male)
Tower Dreams such as natural disasters, dismemberment, death
Losing Identity & Searching for a New One, ie. clothes, shoes, personal belongings, items with meaning
Baby & Child Dreams - pregnancy, children showing up, searching for a child
If you’re interested in exploring your Wild, Shadow through Dreams & Embodiment
Please join me for this very special workshop
FRIDAY April 16
6-8PM
NOLA Cottage Magick
New space, recently opened, in person!
601 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117
COST $35
Space is limited to 12 - Get your seat today!
Additional Workshop Elements & Benefits:
• Understanding the language of your dreams
• Discover the dream symbols that guide you to your authentic self
• Learn to use dreams as a resource through transitions & turning points
• Honor / Integrate the Shadow
Is it a Visitation or a Sign & Does It Even Matter?!
dreamsIs it a visitation, an omen, a sign or a synchronicity, and does it even matter?!
A few nights ago, after the full moon, my friend and I were blessed by the presence of a Luna Moth. She indeed looked like a fairie as she flew. At first, we had no idea what she was. I said “Please stop so we can see you,” and she did. Then she sat above us the rest of the night as we continued our conversation around personal growth and future visions / ideas.
The next morning I awoke feeling a sense of joy and renewal. I couldn’t stop smiling and feeling love in my heart. I felt as if I had won the lottery! How lucky was I to have seen such a sight, to experience this divine interaction.
I believe the Luna Moth is truly an essence / expression / reflection of my personal transformation. Her arrival at that precise moment of our conversation felt like a visitation of something divine, mystical, magical. I never saw a fairie before ;-) It also felt like a sign of acknowledgement and recognition of the deepening of my soul direction around my business and creative career choices. I knew in that moment, my ideas were good ones. I’m on the divine path to my soul power, gifts, magic.
I’m sharing this delightful story because, well, my experience is too beautiful not to share. And the understanding of it can be discerned. What I don’t want to do is influence you or your beliefs around what may or may not be a sign / symbol / visitation to you.
As a Dream Reader, a best, I am here to inspire you. To support you in following your path, your dreams and inner wisdom. Not mine. I will be here to remind you that everything you need to know is already within you. Listening to your guidance will lead you to your magic.
So does it matter if it’s a visitation or a sign? To me, absolutely. To you…only you can answer that.
Dreaming Wild or Are Your Dreams Rewilding?
dreams, Animal DreamsWhat is a Dream Reading?
dreamsSimilar to a tarot reading, Angela helps you discover the meanings & feelings of your dreams, dream symbols, images and recurring themes. Through Embodiment / Interpretation /Analysis you explore the deeper caverns of your dreams.
Where can I get one?!!!
You can always book with me online for a virtual session, but if you’re in New Orleans this weekend…
Angela will be offering in-person Dream Readings
NOLA MAGIC MARKET
SUNDAY 12-5PM
$30/30 mins
MARKET PRICES ONLY
Cottage Magick is a New Orleans based collective founded by Asia Strong. She's gathered a network of brilliant craftspeople, artists, artisans, healers, mediums, and psychics to bring you the best real magick New Orleans has to offer. Together, their talents are vast and include tarot readers, physical and mental mediums, Reiki healers, past life specialists, and those who are inspired to create products that are holistic, earth-friendly, witchy, or inspired.
Other metaphysical services are also offered throughout the weekend!
Importance of Group/Collective Dream Work
collective consciousness, Counsel, dreams, Dream Groups, Dream Salon
What is A Crow’s Calling?
A Crow’s Calling is the collaborative work under which myself and Susan Ackerman Joseph, aka Sackjo22, call ourselves. We are integrative creative/healing arts practitioners and facilitators. Our sisterhood began through developing/producing theatre & performance. We currently create multi-media productions and experiential workshops together. Some days our teaching looks like a virtual workshop where we guide embodiment practices, dreams, and/or sacred activism. At other times, we are exploring our personal growth & transformation through creative play, storytelling, sharing insights. The crow has been a mystical symbol with us since the beginning, literally and figuratively.
I’m excited to share the recent discussion/interview we had with Katherine Bell on her radio show, The Dream Journal. Katherine Bell is the creator of Experiential Dreamwork. We had the pleasure of first working with Katherine at the 2019 IASD regional dream conference, Festival of Dreams, which she produced in Santa Cruz, CA. Recently, we were asked to co-lead her weekly dream group, discussing/embodying “Dreams & Community”.
The past two months have been so full of profound experiences and collective aha moments through sharing this dream practice with multiple groups of people. If you’re interested in hearing more, I hope you take the time to listen to this interview and feel inspired - creative - hopeful - curious.
You can also find this podcast on APPLE , Google Play, Stitcher & Spotify.
Some of my favorite takeaways from this interview are around the benefits of facilitated group dream work:
See the themes of the collective unconscious
Build awareness how we as individuals play a role in community & collective healing
Ability to support others just by showing up
Integrate the group experience/awareness/healing into your individual waking life
Ability to see from others/group perspective
Opportunity to connect with others, and who are interested in the same things (especially during times of isolation)
If you’re interested in sharing in a dreamy virtual holiday party…Book your
I still have availability! And, I would love to share these gifts with you and your family & friends.
Feeling Through Letting Go...to Receive Anew
collective consciousness, Counsel, mediationIn the spirit of giving, in order to receive something new, expansive & healing for yourself and the collective…
What is one thing (it may be a big thing!) you can let go of in order to receive anew? How do you let go with intention and make a conscious shift to embody a truer version of yourself?
As you’ve probably heard:
Weeds need to be cut in order for flowers to bloom.
Your old story no longer aligns with your beliefs/truth.
Your gut instincts “it’s time to let go and move in a different direction.”
How do you let go with intention, consciously making an important shift within?
Sometimes I sit in easy pose, close my eyes and massage my feet. I connect with the visceral energy through what I stand upon, value, honor, and what I am devoted to. I wait to feel/hear the message of my heart-mind.
THE PRACTICE:
Begin with gratitude & acceptance of what is, what you have, where you are presently.
Ask yourself, how do I want to feel on a regular basis in my body/mind/spirit?
What no longer aligns with feeling this way? (You probably already know what it is, as it would have shown up in relationship to yourself/others this past year.)
Feel into the subtleties - this may come through a physical sensation and not an emotion. How does this feel different to an old way of thinking or relating to yourself?
Now thank your old joys and haunts for keeping you feeling safe and supported. Thank yourself for the growth & security it offered you.
Let it go with the intention of allowing something new which aligns with your purpose & value - that which will bring you more joy for who you are now becoming.
Feel into this space of expansion on the horizon, one full of gratitude & abundance.
*It’s not about what it looks like - that you will not know.
The most important thing is stepping into how you want to feel. The more you do this, you will embody your truth, authenticity and all of who you are.
This is EMBODIED PRESENCE.
The Value of Rest: Staying Home & Taking (Self) Care this Winter
The time has changed, winter is coming. We’re heading for darker times, deeper nights and deeper dreams. Just as we’re approaching the holidays, we’re being asked to stay home and stay safe. In many ways, I know you’re feeling tired. I am too. So I’m resting. How will you choose to embrace what lies ahead?
Here are a few ideas to support you in making the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones.
Listen to the wisdom of your body. Trust your body knows exactly what it needs.
If you’re tired, rest.
Healing will take place as you sleep.
Sleep/rest will boost your immune system.
Sleep can strengthen your heart.
Rest will support your nervous system / help you stay calm, patient, and positive.
Dreaming will help process all that you’re feeling / going through.
Dreaming can offer you a new perspective / sacred action to take.
What if you’re unable to rest? You feel overwhelmed, anxious, or longing to feel some sort of normalcy by being with your family for the holidays. What if you have to continue working, despite the discomfort? What if your feelings feel like too much to hold right now?
What else can I do?!
Desperate times call for transformative measures! 🙌
What if you took a moment to EMBRACE DISCOMFORT?
As you would for your child, pet, your beloved. What would this look/feel like for you?
In your gut you know you’re not addressing the deeper sensations within, but the thought of being with the feeling is overwhelming. It’s hard to sit with your sadness/grief, and not know how to fix it. At times, we’re not even aware of it - grabbing snacks, a drink, vegging out in front of a screen or shopping for things we don’t need.
*For me, embracing my discomfort looked like laying on the bed in the fetal position, letting my tears fall down my face and a little bit of wailing, all while singing a song.
So what can I do to embrace my discomfort?
Begin by being with all of you and all that you’re feeling.
I assure you, there is comfort on the other side. This simple act of caring for yourself has big rewards. 🧚♀️
You're ready to be seen.
Counsel
Hi Dear Ones,
It has been another tough month, but we’re still here. Today, I feel hopeful. Although, I am listening to the voices of the collective and dreaming images from our collective unconscious. Our hearts are tender. I sense hiding/pushing away any vulnerabilities. This is reflected in the anger, resentment, frustration, rage even, from feeling unheard, unprotected, and helpless. There is anxiety and fear of what the future will hold.
How can an individual hold this alone? You can’t.
There is still so much work to do. There is healing and growth that is needed within ourselves and within our communities. Between the joys or grievances - we are now in a space of “what to do next?” or “the fight is not over”. I believe, the “Other” needs to be heard. There is a divide amongst us. In order to bridge our differences, as in any relationship, we have to work on ourselves first.
How can I hear someone else, if I cannot hear/see my own voices/ego/shadow?
What can I do to listen more and relate to the Other? (I ask this in relation to my inner self as well as external relationships.)
What could be preventing me from hearing the Other and compassionately seeing them?
How can I show up in order to listen more fully, wholeheartedly?
Despite our fears - the action is simple. We embrace what is, through Embodied Presence. This is where you begin - through feeling. First, feel into what the body is holding, move beyond thinking. Slow everything down in order to become aware of the layers upon layers that are may be blocking the deepest, most valuable feelings within. It’s a shedding process. Simple, devoted actions become daily, sacred rituals. This will create long lasting change/transformation.
I offer you a skillset that will last a lifetime.
There are many ways in which you can work with me or begin your journey of self-discovery, change, healing or growth:
I offer individual sessions in Intuitive Growth Coaching.
I facilitate Dream Coaching with groups & communities.
Find me on PATREON, for continued insights, meditations & monthly sessions.
If you prefer to learn solo: TRANSFORM FEAR: Learn to Identify Blocks & Break Through Them
This online course is offered at a discounted rate for the rest of 2020. *Through this guided course, you will be able to embrace any fear/block. Your relationship to yourself, your body/feelings, to others will shift. You will build strength and resilience around life’s transitions and challenges. You will expand your capacity to hold discomfort, and be able to show up with ease and grace.
Blessings to You & Your Loved Ones,
Angela
A Deeper Look at My New Course TRANSFORM FEAR & Why It is Important Now
Hello Dear Ones,
Wherever you may be on our planet today, You are on my mind wholeheartedly. We could all use less suffering right now. What we can use is more joy, hope. We are all waiting for things to shift / change / transform.
Individually and collectively, this year has proven the most challenging and grievous. Whether or not you have been fully present or engaged, you know what is happening.
We see the ways in which we continue moving forward, and ways in which our movement may feel paralyzed. We are stuck. We are waiting. We are fearful. We are grieving. And we are continuing to move forward as best as we can. That’s what we humans do. We are resilient. We are stronger than we know. Yet, we all carry this burden in our own way.
This is why I developed the online course TRANSFORM FEAR: Learn to Identify Blocks & Break Through Them. We cannot let fear, whether big or small, keep us from our joy, our hope, our creativity, stability, connecting to one another, community. Supporting each other through whatever we may be conflicted with is now more important than ever.
I believe, the only way we are going to transform our physical world, is by starting within.
This course will provide you with the tools and practices to support your ability to go within, and identify unwanted, conscious and/or unconscious fear, that is preventing you from moving forward. Through deepening your awareness of a fear or energetic block, you will be able to sense your Way through with life’s challenges.
You will learn how to observe, hold, express and transform this fear in a way that will offer you a life-long resource, creating a new relationship to it, to yourself and others. Learning to shift this fear will forever support you in moving through life’s changes / transitions with ease and grace.
Are you ready to break through these blocks which are preventing you from living your life wholeheartedly? You will be able to tackle any fear from where you’re at. You will be supported. Let me share with you what I know, what I live by, what I have learned from my teachers. These techniques / exercises / rituals have helped me get through this year and a few others before this one. Over three sessions + a couple bonus practices, let me guide you to dispel and transform your fear.
Thanks for listening. Hope to see you on the other side.
Love & Light,
Angela
The Inner Growth Blueprint
Counsel
So what exactly is the Inner Growth Blueprint ?
The Inner Growth Blueprint is the path to reclaiming your intuition and developing a sacred way of living, bringing you back into your power, wholeness and well-being. By listening within and honoring your truth, you can sense into what no one else can, making conscious decisions with more clarity, ease and grace, creating a healthy environment for your continuous growth and success.
The Inner Growth Blueprint inspires inner growth through the support of sacred counsel. As your intuitive support coach, I inspire you to step into the unknown, feel into what you’re facing and guide you to the best plan of action for the situation. Making choices whether grand or small, we have to make them.
Inner growth is choosing direction in life, it is (re)defining yourself, your identity, your sense of purpose and it is making challenging decisions. We have to navigate, negotiate, collaborate, communicate, constantly. Potentially profound growth can come during the darkest of times. These are all times when we need to show up and stand in our power of inner knowing, our intuition and instincts.
My experiences have taught me that we can replenish the spirit and restore the feminine but only with the support of our allies. The Inner Growth Blueprint developed organically through my own search for clarity and spiritual growth and continued to develop as I worked with others struggling through similar circumstances. This transformative journey began in 2008, when I discovered the power of my dreams and creativity. I looked to my collaborators and elders, connecting with members of my tribe who took the time to reflect and share in these inner growth processes. Finding your support team is necessary for times of change, healing and growth. Your cosmic army will be there when you are ready.
The majority of my life was spent overcoming the chaos and trauma of my childhood, leaving me searching for meaning and traversing radical transitions while healing endless heartaches from loss and break-ups, emotional imbalances, lack of energy, depression, fear and anxiety. In breaking through unconscious beliefs that I could never be successful or loved by someone good, I cleared obstructions that prevented me from loving myself and others. I learned how to set boundaries in order to safely express myself and I have grown to believe in my worth and know that my vision and inspiration is valuable.
Through my years as an artist, creative collaborator, yogi, dream reader and really good friend, my holistic approach to living became all the things which supported me: dialogue & communication, movement & embodiment, yoga & meditation, prayer and ritual, honoring nature, creativity, dream reading, interpreting signs & symbols and sharing resources.
The intuitive support coaching I offer as part of your counsel is in developing your Blueprint and working with the tools to support you in becoming grounded in your body and daily life, balanced in your emotions, build strength and confidence, navigate transitions, overcome fears, break through unconscious beliefs, hold space to grieve loss, and the action steps to build a foundation within of gratitude, love, joy, and wholeness.
Namaste,
Angela
Sessions are 60 minutes. We start there.
You can schedule by clicking below or reach out to me and we can book by phone or private message.
I look forward to hearing your voice.
To schedule a free 15 minute consultation, click to email me!
Bridge Dreams During Covid-19: Feeling Our Way From One Normal To Another
Crossing bridges from one normal to another...? This is happening within personally (feeling like everything is ok) and through the physical action of protestors and states opening up back up too quickly. Once we cross this bridge, we cannot go back and why would anyone want to? Our system has and continues to fail us. Going back will only lead to extended uncertainty and more lives of those we love.
Bridge dreams are showing up collectively. The collective unconscious wants to cross this bridge. We must if we want to reach a new realm of being alive and supported within our communities.
Crossing Bridges are scary, they cross water which can hold deep truths, feelings and unknown territories. The bridge connects us and can support us on this journey. Take another’s hand and walk across with them now. Do not turn around and go back to what is limiting and separating us.
*Bridge Dreams often symbolize times of transition in life that are significant and defining to one’s path or journey. What are your dreams during this time holding for you? Are you crossing bridges or choosing new pathways? What kind of support are you giving AND receiving? We are all in this together.
Please reach out if you are in need of support in healing and/or creativity. Observe your dreams, insights and intuitions at this time. AND please share dreams with your loved ones and children!
We Dream As a Collective
dreams, Dreamcrafting Courses18 Days to Dream: Dreamcrafting Rituals, Curiosities & Creativities
Developing a Sacred Ritual for Dreaming
dreams, Dreamcrafting Coursesbecome one with the moon
dreams, precognitive dream
Thank you Rainbow Love App for the beautiful art to design & play with!
On June 16, 2011, I called this dream “THE MOON”
I was told I need to get as much light from the moon as possible. I go in this small outdoor patio, white, with chairs to sit on (feels like old round chairs at a bowling alley). My sister, Amie comes in with a friend, Brian. I want to sit on his lap in order to get the best light. When we get in, I don’t need Brian because the chairs are high enough. It is the biggest-brightest setting moon I have ever seen.
Its so big and so close. Just outside these windows my back is faced to see, just at the horizon of the ocean is this moon which looks like the setting sun and I am soaking it all in. This is what I am supposed to do.
Walking into a spa – on a bridge – following a woman who knows and is telling me the science behind this moon in particular and why it is so powerful, where its from. She gets side tracked as we walk in on ice. Little mounds of ice through the hall and into the spa. Through overweight naked women. I’m leading the woman to show her where the bathrooms, changing rooms and sauna are. Though there is ice, there is steam. Especially coming off the large pool up the steps to the right. We are also being followed by a group of women. I get back to asking her about the story.
Now the moon is setting and I’m outside, closer to the water. I look up and I see more moons. One is a crescent moon. Another male friend walks out towards the still large full moon setting. He is walking on a dock. I can’t see where it ends, but he’s going. He has his shirt off. I feel like, he’s not coming back this time.
In honor of our recent power-full moon, I am peculiarly feeling into this dream, remembering the work I did with it at the time, how many moons later I realized this dream was a premonition or precognitive dream and that the dream and the moon, still resonates and is guiding me to more insight.
A dream that keeps giving…I think I will reflect on this dream every full moon because there is so much to share and learn from it - it has been giving to me for over six years! As I go back through my journal from June 2011, I realize I don’t have a lot of entries of my waking life. I was very busy at the time directing a play in Los Angeles. It was a a new start of a play in development, “Box, Window, Door” that was opening soon at the Hollywood Fringe. I was working intensely and consistently with my dreams with dreamworker and Shaman Chris Doggett through the use of Embodied Imagination – a process based in alchemy developed by Robert Bosnak. (EI will be discussed more in depth in future posts). But there are no entries of how I was feeling, about anything.
I think about this now as I sit in feeling and realize how being in feeling has dramatically shifted who I am, the actions I take and how I treat others. My perception of myself and everything around me has changed, including how I feel about the future. We all have the power to manifest and its through feeling – how does a thought make you feel? Living through feeling is a new way to be! It is becoming conscious of who you are (inside). We can get all the information we need from within, if we listen…how does that thought make you feel? If it makes you nervous, I completely understand. I was anxious to start writing this.
When I worked this dream through Embodied Imagination, I became the moon or what the moon feels like inside of me. It was:
cool, spinning, giving, floating, contained power, happiness of giving light, higher consciousness, sponginess, tempurpedic, resilient – takes an impression, feels one with earth and living with it – connected to
I would meditate with this composite points of feeling(s) throughout your body that are realized through becoming the symbols/places/people in a dream, in this sort of body graph of feeling and let it do its healing and I would wait for a new dream.
Then in October 2011, I went to India and studied yoga. I met my Guru and miraculously attracted 50+ people to a full moon meditation that lasted over four nights; the three leading up to the full moon and the night of. I say miraculous because I told no one, it was originally only going to be about three of us – by the end, the rooftop overlooking the Ganges was completely full and we were glistening and feeling into the phrase “become one with the moon”.
I felt what it was like to become one with the moon and it was scary, at the time. I could not feel my own body as I knew it. Its like all my pores opened up and it was cool and there was movement, it felt like flowing water, as if I was floating. What was scary was the loss of feeling contained within my own skin. There was expansion of my cells that were no longer touching yet connected to everything. I felt like I was becoming one with everything and there was no single me anymore. I was losing attachment to my identity.
I was told, “do not be afraid of what your body can do.”
Dreams are based in feeling. You wake up from a dream and you most likely feel something. You know those dreams you can't shake and you live with them all day? That's because we remember them based on how they make us feel. They are living within the body. The body holds so much more than we know, known and unknown. Do not be afraid of the wisdom within - within the body, spirit, and soul. Do not be afraid of the consciousness beyond the conscious mind.
While working with dreams, there is never one answer and there is always more to discover. Let it unfold and trust in the unknown.
NOTE: Posts may only include part/s of the dream.
*BOLD TEXT = DREAM IMAGE
*italicized text = interpretation and/or what resonates for the dreamer
"Snakes in my dreams"
Animal Dreams, dreams, recurring dream
Image from alchemicalmagic.com by Irene Payne
“Snakes in my dreams”
Dreams are full of metaphors and symbols we often don’t understand. We can theorize, we can look up the many different interpretations online or say “well, I saw that yesterday so that must be why I dreamt it.” Dream images are layered with conscious and subconscious associations and experiences we personally and collectively have. They are also full of mysticism and mystery. Snakes, are definitely one of them.
My dear friend Jennifer lost both her parents last year. This year has been one of the toughest times of her life. She was very close to her mother. She is looking at her life differently now because of this. I believe her perception is changing. She had and is continuing to have snakes in her dreams. A boa constrictor, loose in the house. One playing tricks on her – she knew in the dream she was seeing the snake again and thought “I should’ve known you were here!” This snake keeps coming and going. Another, she was able to escape from in a field.
Sometimes dreams are hard to figure out and they take time to work with and integrate the energy of a symbol or an archetype. We have to ask questions. We have to let the dreams speak to us, explore them, honor them. I discussed a couple of these dreams with Jennifer. I had all my knowledge of snake symbolism and its transformative power ready to go. I’ve had plenty of snake dreams and worked many times with Ted Andrew’s Animal Speak.
So I know the snake is about death/rebirth, the shedding of skin and its mystical nature because while in this state its eyes cloud over and it is said to have the power to live between worlds. The snake has perception, wisdom, transformative and healing powers. Dreaming of a snake may be an initiation - an awakening of your life force. This could be creativity, sexuality – all energies found within Kundalini, subtle energy that is within each one of us. In yogic culture, kundalini is symbolized as the snake coiled up at the bottom of our spines, until it is aroused, then we quickly begin to experience its power unleashed in us.
So we talk about health, jobs and wealth (inner/outer). But the power of the snake was not resonating solely on any one of these topics. We discuss forgiveness, and we remember her “mama”. We feel her mother at the core of our conversation the entire time. But we were missing something, just as she felt she didn’t know in the dream but then she knew! It had to be something that goes in and out, the wisdom is there but not acknowledged all the time.
Then I remember “…look into the hearts and souls of others…look more closely into your own heart and soul.” (Andrews, p363). I ask her “what are you most afraid of?”
“Not being loved,” she says.
Her mama would love her no matter what and now that she is gone, how could she be sure she would ever be loved again?
The dream is talking about everything we discussed, but in order for the shift…she has to love herself as a mother would – her own mother within.
We all have blocks around loving oneself. If not, then you have worked on it for a long time and that is amazing! I’m sure you are sharing this love with the world and that is very important. In this dream, the snake may be here to help transform these blocks within Jennifer. This dream being shared, is a reminder to me of one of the most important aspects of understanding your dreams, which is to develop a relationship to your inner self, which is here to guide you to loving yourself more - to live wholly through the integration of all the aspects of yourself – the dark/light, good/bad, masculine/feminine, etc.
So when you think you know what a dream is about…keep digging…keep asking questions. When you touch on what your soul is trying to get you to hear – you will know. Your world as you experience it may come crashing down, but trust its for a change in perspective for building it back up again.
This dream guidance would not be here without Jennifer’s recurring dreams of snakes and her fearlessness to share. Our stories and dreams are vulnerable and collectively powerful. I am grateful for you and your dreams Jen. I hope more of you will be willing to share yours, for they hold wisdom and transformative healing abilities for all of us.
NOTE: Posts may only include part/s of the dream.
*BOLD TEXT = DREAM IMAGE
*italicized text = interpretation and/or what resonates for the dreamer
Me, Too - The Intruder in Our Dreams
dreams, recurring dream
Image from Marie Louise Van Franz's Interpretation of Fairy Tales
Me, Too - The Intruder in Our Dreams
There is one that penetrates me deeply to the bones and it’s the man within my own psyche.
I feel this fear every time I have this dream. I can feel it now as I am writing about it.
Recurring Dream:
I am running from someone. A man. Him. I am trying to find a place to hide. It’s dark out. Night. I go through multiple places, sometimes an empty hotel or convention center or a house. Trying to find the best place to hide...I run through showers, spa like areas and locker rooms until I find a bathroom to hide in. (Bathroom, a place to express oneself.) I crouch down, I am silent. I sweat. I feel the cold, damp floor. I wait and listen to see if I hear him coming. My heart beats. I’m terrified.
He, is the Intruder, that prevents me...all of us...from furthering. From owning our own power, beliefs, identity.
I recognize him as my masculine shadow aspect in the self that "manifests as the spirit of courage" in all that we do including our thoughts, feelings, using your voice to express your needs and developing one's own spiritual beliefs. (Clements, Analyzing Your Dreams Dictionary).
I see him as the collective unconscious’ masculine energy energy associated with doing, creating, destroying, opposed to the female which is being, containing, nurturing. (Clements, p106).
In dreams, we may meet him and experience him through feeling fear of him. He is the dark man in the shadows. In my dreams, no light ever sheds on his face or his build. I never see him hunting me, but he is behind me, coming after me. He is the intruder in our psyche.
The intruder doesn't only show up in women's dreams - he shows up in men's too. You may be running from someone, authority, conflict or fighting with another man. This would reflect the shadow not acknowledging this unconscious aspect of yourself, there is conflict between it and the ego.
I was unconscious of him for a very long time. Night/darkness unconscious. I had many different versions of this dream over the years. My sister recently shared one of hers with me, which was similar and carried the same weight of dread upon her. It wasn’t until I was well into dreamwork, studying Marion Woodman’s theory of feminine consciousness when I spoke of one of these dreams. It was suggested to me to begin reading “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.
There it was! Chapter 1: Stalking the Intruder, the Beginning Initiation - the story of Bluebeard. For those of you who do not know this tale, Estés will indeed tell it better than I, so please do read her stories. She also has a live performance series called “Theatre of the Imagination”, which is very powerful to listen to. Her storytelling is healing and truly transformative.
Bluebeard is a tale of a frightening man with a blue beard who entices the youngest of three sisters to marry him. This young woman is lovely and innocent and naive. Unlike her sisters who had the intuition that something was not right with Bluebeard, he had some sort of power over her. The young woman was not in touch with her instincts yet. There was no mother or father to teach her these things. As the story goes on, her sisters attempt to guide her. Through her unconscious desire she does something she was told not to do, which leads to the undoing of Bluebeard’s power over her life and so many other women like her.
I finally stopped dreaming of running and hiding in the bathroom, when I began to acknowledge my strength as a spiritual being. I began embracing my power within and honoring my own beliefs, gifts and creativity. All the things I wasn’t authentically doing.
THIS is how we change consciousness. Tuning in, listening to the dreams, sensing, feeling - in order to become aware of the beliefs and belief systems handed down to us from generation to generation and making a conscious decision to believe you have the power within to change them, the power to think and act differently, the power to use your voice and discuss with each other - as I see so many sharing "Me, Too" stories on Facebook.
So how do we share this power of awareness to those that were never taught differently or our young? How do we build trust in our feelings and instincts through our sensing abilities when something doesn't feel good or right? How do we protect our innocent, vulnerable, and delicate youthful beings? This is a discussion that I would love to be having.
I believe we all have to live this way. We have to trust our inner guidance, use the power of our voice and support one another through feeling. And stop letting others make poor decisions for us, our communities and our country. The transformation begins within.
NOTE: Posts may only include part/s of the dream.
*BOLD TEXT = DREAM IMAGE
*italicized text = interpretation and/or what resonates for the dreamer
Baby Breaks the Crib
dreams, Animal Dreams
Throughout my years working with dreams, there is not a woman I know who has not had a "baby" dream. And it's no wonder, during this intense time of awakening to our full potential, our dreams are guiding us to create.
"The birth of a baby symbolizes the birth of a new creative idea." From dream guide Rosalynne Clements Analyzing Your Dreams Dictionary. This is my dream dictionary of choice, it is the one I most often turn to for insight. There are of course associations one may have to this baby - circumstance of the dream, gender, age, etc. All things to be considered while working with a baby dream.
I recently had a dream with babies and tigers! If you're having dreams with animals as well, the dreams are really trying to get your attention. Animal energies, totems, spirit animals coming to you in your dreams, I believe are a sign you are tapped into the spirit world around you. Listening to animal medicine can teach us so much about our true nature, instincts and where the energy wants to go. I dream of animals often, so Ted Andrews "Animal Speak" is my number one bedside table book. His insight will help me unpack this short but fully loaded dream I had.
Dream Aug 19, 2017: "Baby Breaks Crib"
I'm watching all these children. 3. Two young girls and the baby boy (looks like the boy I watch). The girl keeps wanting to be up. It's like 3am and she gets up and so does her lil sister and the boy wakes up too but I leave him in his crib. I'm trying to clean up and get them back into bed. I say "you have each other to sleep with, now it's time to go back to bed!" I sort of chase then back into her room- she's really not listening and says back something like "I can be up!" As we head back in there - they're in before me...I see a tiger. Oh fuck, a tiger has gotten in and another one- a cub? Oh no, the little girls will totally get eaten. I run in and kind of yell. The older girl comes out- I have to get the younger one. I'm waving for her. (They seem 4 years old. Maybe 4 and 2 but mature for their age).
The baby broke his crib. The mattress is on the floor- wood bars.
I start with the baby and the children. CHILDREN represent a whole new life ahead of me, a new start. I love kids so they also symbolize joy and innocence, and truth for me. These girls are me, the divine self and the baby is a new creative endeavor. Their ages also inform me on when the creative idea may have started. Many things have changed in the last ten months to four years, but what resonates for me, is the connection between how my dream work was developing throughout this time. I began studying Jung's Redbook four years ago, two years ago I entered an MFA program where I created Dream Crafting and ten months ago I was preparing to leave San Francisco and beginning my move to New Orleans. I could see none of this until now, when I dream of the baby breaking the crib. I have outgrown the old relationship to my dreamwork into something more beautiful and nurturing - which, the tigers presence represent. This somewhat abandoned child, the part of myself I have been learning to love is miraculous and has expanded to break the container, the space in which he sleeps soundly. Consciousness has broken through. Dream crafting is the creative idea, which I was writing in my thesis ten months ago.
It all clicked when I read more into the tiger - there is a mother and a cub. For me the cub represents a new way of being through tiger energy. The tiger represents "passion, power, devotion, and sensuality. They have a mystical quality...they display great motherly devotion with their offspring." (Andrews, p318) The mother is here protecting her cub and I am here protecting the children - all of the creation within me. This is a sweet double image for me, seeing the tigress as a reflection of me, also in the bedroom, where we sleep, dream; the unconscious becomes conscious. I see the bedroom as my sanctuary.
FEAR in dreams is often the EGO's fear. The tiger is here as a helper and a gift. My dream ego is frightened of course, but the tiger is not there to harm me or the children. She is here as a symbol that "new adventures, renewed devotion and passion for life are expected to begin within 6-8 weeks and last for a year and a half." (Andrews, p319). I had this dream eight weeks ago and I am now in the thick of my new adventures with Dream Crafting!
NOTE: Posts may only include part/s of the dream.
*BOLD TEXT = DREAM IMAGE
*italicized text = interpretation and/or what resonates for the dreamer
Waking Up
As I think about this dream now, seven years later, I realize this was a very powerful “wake up call” dream. There were parts of my soul calling to live, to be reborn. Death = rebirth. Asleep = unconscious. The girl was stuck in a lot of feeling water, in the bathtub, wanting to be cleansed and feelings of fear, being stuck. She was stuck in her fear of living, living a life of expression and creativity. Even though she was dying for it.