Dance
This is a symbol of particular significance.
The dance is one of man's earliest modes of expression and is probably
older than language itself. In prehistory, dancing was a kind
of body-language.
Today, the dance still has the significance for us of a medium of
erotic information and communication. The body-language of
modern dances nowadays, with their accent on sexual gestures, is
thoroughly reminiscent of primitive ritual dances. As a dream
occurrence, it is an indication that psychic energy has been set
in motion and that certain psychic elements are, so to speak, being
charged up. The gestures and mime involved in the dance, i.e.,
the body-language, indicate more specifically how the dance should
be interpreted. |
Death
Death is, for the psyche, a process of
transformation. Things which die in a dream are frequently replaced
by something new. But usually the further developments in
the dream show that spiritual renewal first requires sacrifices
to be made. |
Decapitation
Decapitation in a dream is not necessarily
of such a dangerous nature as it may seem at first glance. For example,
the psyche may be signaling with this image that the dreamer has
been seeing things much too logically and has trapped himself in
a situation where there is now way out. The symbolic decapitation
indicates a way out of this mental predicament. Dreams in
which the dreamer then receives a new head have been recorded. |
Desert
If the setting for a dream is the desert,
this should be seen as a danger signal. This image gives symbolic
expression to modern man's isolation in the mass society of today.
No spiritual relationships can thrive on desert sand. |
Devil
The devil appears in dreams when the dreamer
has suppressed religious problems form his consciousness without
seriously considering them. Some consideration of the question of
the purpose of life is an absolute necessity for psychic equilibrium. |
Doctor
The doctor is an important symbolic figure.
His appeareance signals a threat of spiritual equilibrium. As a
rule, he shows the dreamer which problem needs treatment.
It is possible that the doctor appears purely as a warning signal.
The diagnoses of dream doctors often seem nonsensical; their healing
methods are reminiscent of magic. Experience has shown, however,
that the dream doctor often signals psychic conflict - and also
the outbreak of physical illness - long before the first symptoms
can be determined. |
Domestic animals, pets
Until about a hundred years ago, domestic
animals like horses, pigs, cows, poultry, dogs and cats were a part
of human everyday life. They were productive and useful animals.
In dreams they remain helpful animals, i.e. they symbolize helpful
psychic functions. In modern industrial society, man has lost
his personal relationship to domestic animals. The pets kept
in a big city nowadays are a substitute for lack of affection.
This should be taken into account when interpreting the dream.
The owners frequently identify themselves with their animal favorites.
The attention and affection which they show to their pets is of
a covertly erotic nature. |
Donkey
In common speech, the donkey is referred
to in the context of male sexuality. The comparison arises
form the fact that the sex drive can be as obstinate as a donkey
because it cannot be influenced by the will. Riding on a donkey
means being in command of one's animal instincts. In the language
of dreams, a donkey does not possess its proverbial stupidity. |
Dove
Nowadays, the dove is a symbol of peace.
In the Old Testament, the dove with the olive branch does not symbolize
peace, but good fortune or renewal. The dove used the olive branch
to branch to convey to Noah that the dangers of the Great Flood
were over. This news provided the impulse for Noah to leave
the ARk and start rebuilding civilization. In classical mythology,
the dove belonged to Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of love - here,
however, with the subsidiary significance of purity and innocent
lover or, to be more precise, platonic relationships. In a dream,
the dove indicates the creative thoughts which arise form
a platonic relationship. |
Dragon
The dragon symbolizes the threatening and
devouring aspects of the female personality. A battle with
a dragon, however, always signifies the dreamer's battle with
himself or with an unconscious aspect of his psyche. |
Dwarf
In mythology, dwarfs are earth-spirits
which belong to the great goddess of nature. In fairytales,
they appear as spirits which help humans. They can also have
a sexual significance, particularly when dwarfs with hoods appear.
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