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Electric Dreams Volume 01 Issue 08
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| Electric Dreams |
| Volume 1 Issue 8 |
| 19 June 1994 |
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| Please send suggestions, contributions, mailing list and back issue |
| requests to cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu or cbeatty@worf.uwsp.edu |
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Dedicated to sharing and exploring dreams
___________________________________________________________________________
Message Center
1. For anyone who can get the Discovery Channel, there is going to be a 3
part special on dreams. It is on Sunday at 6:00, Eastern Time. I will be
taping it and reviewing it in the Dream Articles section of the newsletter
in the next three issues. Anyone who can't get it and would like to see
it, get in touch with me and I'll see what we can work out. Also, anyone
who will be taping and would like to volunteer to help circulate tapes,
please let me know.
2. Did you know that in the current July 1994 issue of _Details_ there is
a small article on dreams people have had about the late Kurt Cobain?
Eight dreams were collected from the internet and on the street by authors
Ted Friedman, David Shields, and Jeremy Mindich. It's worth checking out.
Especially if you have _had_ dreams about him!
3. I was wondering...would any of you out there like to do _Electric
Dreams_ with a "dream theme"--such as dreams about dead celebrities, dreams
about death, and so on? Give us some input. We'll try to share some
interesting theme suggestions next issue.
4. This issue did come out a little early (9 hours), because Chris will be
about 180 miles from her computer Sunday morning. Hope this isn't a
problem for anyone.
___________________________________________________________________________
Dream Comments
======Hummingbirds-Issue
6=================================================
Thanks to everyone for your input on my dream.
I'm going to provide some background on myself, just to give you
all some feedback and let you know how close you might have come to
figuring out what my dream could have been saying.
I went to college in order to study biology so I could be a
zookeeper (the path I was following?). I was told many times that I
wouldn't like zookeeping, and was repeatedly encouraged to try something
else (the warning sign?). In real life, I did choose to ignore the
warnings, and in fact took several seasonal jobs before realizing everyone
was right and I really hated the work. By the time I realized it, I had
graduated. I went right back to school (turning back on the trail?) to
study computers (electric lines?). I enjoy it quite a bit and my future
looks good. The hummingbirds may indicate my outlook on a future, the fact
that they were flickers could indicate my agressive attitude to learning
more, and the fact that I had seen a flicker that day, and I do like the
birds. The country highway from home may indicate how at home I feel with
my new career choice.
Some other symbols from my dream...the gravel pit that was gone.
In my perfect world, the gravel pit wouldn't be there, so lets make myself
feel more comfortable than I ever really did in my real home. The rotten
granite is not found in my childhood home, but is a familiar feature of the
place I currently call home, which is also where I'm getting experience and
education for my new career.
Maybe the highway really does represent the "Information Highway",
which is where my future probably lies.
Chris Beattie (cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu)
======A Lesson Learned-Issue 7=============================================
What a beautiful dream! I have collected quite a few "Life
Altering" dreams over the years, from dream group participants, and I'm
so glad that you were willing to share yours with us. These "Power Dreams"
or "Great Dreams" have much to tell all of us, not just the individual
dreamer.
Pamela Ryan (pryan@prairienet.org)
I think it is fascinating that you have had a dream that has altered
your life. I have never had such a powerful dream. Of course, I also do
not naturally have very good dream recall, and had to train myself to
remember what now averages probably just under a dream per night. That is
to say, many nights I will remember no dreams, and others I will remember
up to five. There is seldom any great detail.
Be glad that you had a dream powerful and positive enough to change
your life, and thank you for sharing it with us. I hope maybe it will
cause others to stop and evaluate their own lives.
Chris Beattie (cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu)
I always find dreams of this type to be the most interesting. I've
had a few "Life-Altering/Spiritual" dreams myself. This dream clearly
confirms your decision to break away from the "conventional" religion that
was not working for you. All of us should be so brave to take that step.
And believe me, I know what it is like to have a religious mother using
guilt to tie you to a church's apron strings! My mother was a born again
Christain and she literally had a fit when, after several spiritual
experiences (including dreams), I decided to become a "born again" Pagan.
Funny thing is, my mother was Catholic before she became a Christain, I
figured she'd understand. I hope you had less strife with your mother.
Do you agree that it's very sad when us Spiritual people can't get along
just because our dogmas, theologies, terminologies, etc. don't match or
agree? Thing is, whether we're Christain, Catholic, Pagan, or whatever,
there really is no big difference. Our lives have been made more meaningful
through contact with the Spirit and dreams are one way of making that
"contact."
I'm glad you left things open with "I'm NOT saying you should
believe in this." It clearly shows that you are open to others' belief
systems and that, probably through your experience of being "enslaved" to
a faith that didn't work for you, you are not bound to make the mistake of
doing so to others. No one's spirit can be owned or given up. It's very
inhumane when someone tries to force someone to believe in something they
don't or can't believe in. The only advice I have to give you is to keep
your heart open and mind aware. Don't let anyone tell you what to belive
and what not to believe. You said, "It wasn't that I wouldn't accept
answers from the Fathers, it was because I wasn't given any..." Answers
are never given to you. You have to find them for yourself.
I wish you well on your spiritual path!
--Val, the Dream Shaman (ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu)
======The Breathing Lamp-Issue 7========
I believe that the lights not "turning on" for you meant
frustration--things or people aren't cooperating with you like they should
be. Putting up with the "noise" of other people is making you restless.
The drawing board is a classic, universal symbol of concentration, starting
things over, work, design, all those things reminiscent of the saying "back
to the drawing board..." I almost want to say that your "drawing board with
a light" reminds me more of a light table--a table with a light underneath
that us artists/cartoonist use in the composition of drawings, etc. However,
the lamp is hanging over the table and seems to be more like one of those
Victorian gas lamps (an early form of "illumination"). There was no light
bulb--hence no technology, the light's more natural. The light glowing
faintly purple: inspiration, creation, the spirit. The lamp seemed to have
a soul and was living.
Could it be that you feel more alive and comfortable working alone
on more intelligent things--things that involve more of your own creativity
than messing with others? Perhaps the light was symbol of a new found
appreciation for something in your life that involves more "drawing at the
board" or a return to what you like to do best. Other people just seem to
be in your way. It could also mean that you were reminding yourself to
get some more rest and focus on a more polished plan before starting a new
project that you're excited about.
--Val, the Dream Shaman (ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu)
======Dream Collection-Issue 7=============================================
In my own personal symbol system, Florida would probably represent
vacation, or else retirement. Do you long to get away for a while?
These are my impressions of the dreams:
Others (Ted) seem ready and willing to take a break, but I feel unprepared
or unable to do so.
If I try to "get away", I will have to bring along my "internal parent",
which may spoil my trip.
If I go on vacation, I will feel guilty about others who cannot take a break.
Perhaps I would like to find a handsome new companion, or "take
a break" from an old relationship?
Looking for luggage seems important. Perhaps I am carring some
"baggage" around, that prevents me from enjoying myself?
Pamela Ryan (pryan@prairienet.org)
It sounds like you need some sort of break or get away. You were
always going to Florida or about to leave for Florida, but never quite got
around to getting there (much like a common dream theme of my own; looking
for, but never getting to eat, food). You were also avoiding people, so
maybe the vacation you need is just a break from people, time to yourself.
You spent a lot of time worrying about luggage, maybe making preperations
to get away concern you. Maybe it would be difficult to arrange a break.
Chris Beattie (cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu)
Here are some quick word associations and stuff I compiled from
your collection...
Cleaning up after a house party: being able to take on
responsibility, paying for fun, cooperation with Ted, sharing duty.
Flight to Florida: escape, trying to get away from something,
the typical "flight vs. fight" syndrome (you want to flee instead of
confront a threat). But...you don't have the tickets! This could mean
delays and things are in your way from totally escaping something and going
out and having more fun. Somehow you make your own way, but it requires
more work than you bargained for. Have you been partying a little too much
lately? It seems you are having more work than you are having fun.
Flashy red car and rich friends: I don't know--reminds of the song
by Depeche Mode "Never Let Me Down Again" where the lyrics go: "...I'm
taking a ride with my best friend/I hope he never lets me down again..."
I know it might have nothing to do with your dream, but that's what came
into my mind. Hmmmm....let me think some more. The red car, to me, is
symbolic of frolicing, having fun, fireworks, the summertime, the fast
lane, passion, and assertiveness--but I believe, since it's flashy, that
it's more superficial, like the rich friends you are with. Did they ignore
you when you were talking about your "wonderful male friend?" They seemed
really two-dimensional to me, like cardboard people you're "just along for
the ride" with.
The guy called Stone: could be symbolic of the archtypical male
"stoner" guy? When you tell Stone "not like that. Hug me like you mean
it..." Perhaps you are dealing with some more superficiality. Stone
doesn't give you what you want and he ends up being someone/something else.
Stone's brother could be another type of addiction (other than the type of
addiction that's drugs and alcohol) could be a love/touch addiction--worse
than substance abuse, that's the _tough_ stuff!
Mother as addict "shooting up" and not satisfied with results:
disappointment, a parental figure doesn't get what she wanted, no "high."
Vein stretching across floor: life's blood tunnel running out or low, it's
gray because there's no life in it, should be pink because pink is the
universal colour of affection/friendship, the true affection is gone and
all you've seem to have are these annoying rich girlfriend types.
Doing Stone's hair: dressing or covering him up, styling is
reminiscent of fitting someone into your "design," doing a friend's hair
is an intimate thing, you are making him "pretty" and he's putty in your
hands. Stone seems more like a doll than a real person to you. When he
doesn't want to go to Florida with you (Florida's a dream escape, a
vacation from reality or from your senses) perhaps he has more serious
things to do and be; he can't "drop everything" and run away with you
"silly girls."
The hypdermic needle: manipulation, power, injecting poison,
trying to get Stone to do what you want him to do--to leave with you to go
to Florida. Stone's statement of "You'd drug me to make me go with you?"
reminds me of the saying, "I'd do _anything_ to make you change your mind
and run away with me--even if it means I have to strap you to my will..."
Are you in a situation or relationship where you want one thing and the
other one wants something different? Is this, not only a struggle between
lovers, but also the type of friends you have? Escaping by trying to get
the other to do what you want is not a good idea. You'd be happier doing
your own thing and letting the other do his/hers. That's how you meet on
common ground with another person--by being more of a partner than "the old
ball and chain."
Also, what is the real significance of the drug usage? Do you
come from a background of drug abuse? Or could this be more symbolic?
Addictions come in many forms and they always provide an escape from the
real world (or so you think). In reality, addiction is a curse--you have
to have it in order to, literally, survive and going without is unthinkable.
When a person is addicted to something or someone they'd do anything for a
"fix"--_anything_ even hurting another human being to get what they want.
Perhaps you were realising you were addicted to someone like Stone in the
dream--someone who's not giving you what you want or, better yet, _need_.
--Val, the Dream Shaman (ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu)
__________________________________________________________________________
Dreams
======The Bear and the Vampire Princess===================================
A group of my friends (people I don't know in real life, and all
female I think) and I were on a corner right across from my apartment
building. Just one block down is a small nature reserve. We were all
being chased by a black bear which came from the reserve. We ran, but were
not really moving. One or two of my friends were caught. We were trying
to run away from my apartment, along the path I usually walk to get to
school/work.
I found I could run faster than my friends, so I abandoned them
to save myself. I looked back, under one arm so I wouldn't lose any speed,
rather than over my shoulder, to see the bear attacking the group again.
The group dissolved into a black mass, as if I were looking at them from a
distance with my glasses off when I was tired.
I was aware that the bear was probably still going to come after
me, and that someone else was chasing me. The new person was the main
character from a Japanese animated show called Vampire Princess Miyu.
(Miyu has the body of a young high schooler. She sends stray Shinma-
-demon/gods, to the darkness to await the end of the human race so they
can return to the earth. She hunts down stray Shinma and returns them to
the darkness. She must also drink human blood, and can grant eternal life
to anyone she bites. Miyu, being a vampire, is also Shinma.) Miyu told me
she was chasing me because I had abandoned my friends, and she had been one
of my friends who had been attacked.
I noticed I was wearing some sort of a gown, and thought it was
some relative of the Japanese kimono, although it wasn't fancy enough to be
a kimono. It was the same color red as Miyu normally wears. I almost
never wear dresses, preffering blue jeans most of the time, so this seemed
to stand out.
I have a few ideas on some of the symbols in this dream, but would
like to hear other people's views before I give you my own thoughts.
Chris Beattie (cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu)
======Val's Serial
Dream===================================================
"I'm Death, BJ's the Crow, and We Hunt Down a Serial Killer"
VMK
DREAM JOURNAL ENTRY #82
Vol.5, March 23, 1994
Part Five: "Escape"
I don't remember exactly how this one started. But BJ and I were
running out of his house. I kept asking him where we were going, but he
refused to tell me. He had a hold on my arm and was dragging me into this
dense forest. It was nice and green in the woods, cool and no bugs. Soon we
came to a huge, moss-covered rock to rest. I was out of breath, but BJ was
fine, infact he was laughing about something...I don't know about what. I
thought he was laughing at me. I aksed him and he told me he just wanted to
laugh.
"Where are we?" I asked him.
"Far away, for now," he answered, smiling. "If we don't let them,
they can't find us..."
(He was talking about the FBI agents, Scully and Moulder from _The
X-Files_). We were both afraid of being caught and punished. The forest
seemed like a great place to escape. We sat there (I on top of the rock, BJ
leaning against it) for what seemed like hours, just resting. Soon I got very
thirsty, so BJ made a fist and punched a hole in the rock. Water gushed out
from the hole he made with his fist. First the stream of water was the type
that would come out of a faucet, but soon it was roaring out, like water from
a waterfall. It was refreshing. I drank some of the water first, then I
jumped into it, splashing happily.
I looked around me. The forest was now no longer a "woodland" forest.
It was tropical, like the Amazon. And the rock waterfall was much bigger,
too. BJ and I were on a rock outcropping and the waterfall was running above
and over us. The scene was really cool and I was soaked by the waterfall
mist. BJ was completely dry. He was now laughing at me. I felt silly and
stepped away from the water. BJ started to point at me, too lost in laughter
to tell me verbally what he was laughing at. I looked down at myself to see
what he was laughing at.
From the waist down, I had the body of a giant serpent. I no longer
felt so silly and wasn't so bothered by his laughter. "Sorry," I explained,
"it's something I sometimes turn into when I dream. It's my Dream-Self, so to
speak...it's why I was named 'Moonserpent' in The Craft." BJ stopped laughing
after this explanation and he just gave me this weird, "whatever, Val" look on
his face. Then he turned to me and said:
"Val, I really wish you wouldn't dream me into your dreams, because,
well...," He had pain on his face, "this is strange. In your dreams, you
might find out too much about me..."
I apologised, trying to explain that I couldn't help it. I was very
lucid during the dream. I told him this was a dream after all and that
whatever I dreamt, I'd tell him about it tomorrow. His face soured in
anger (couldn't tell if he was serious or not). I was about to ask him if he
was _indeed_ angry about something, but that's when it suddenly got dark
outside and we heard voices.
Soon we were back in the woodland forest. There were flashlights
beaming through the trees. BJ and I were hiding behind the rock. The FBI
agents, Scully and Moulder, were after us, calling our names--stating that
they only wanted information and that they weren't trying to arrest us. They
were getting closer....
BJ pushed me away from him, shouting: "RUN! RUN!" But I couldn't
run, I could only slither away. Too bad, because now we caused attention to
ourselves--our hiding place lost its value. Scully and Moulder were going to
definitely find us now. BJ was about to turn into The Crow, but I didn't
want him to. I told him to put away his gun because I didn't want him to hurt
the FBI agents. I had a better method of escape.
I grew wings and, carrying him in my serpent's coil, we lifted into
the air. It was great, but, in mid-air I worried that I might constrict him
and I let loose my serpent's coil. Unfortunately, I let him a little _too
loose_ and he fell. I tried to save him by swooping down after him, but it
was no use. Weird thing was, he fell into a huge oak tree that, on his
impact, melted into a great body of water. I dived in after him.
"Don't _ever_ do that to me again!" He exclaimed after I brought him
to the shore of the oak tree that was now an ocean. "I almost drowned!"
I told him I was sorry. Now we were stuck on an island. In the
distance, there was a storm brewing but it wasn't coming our way. In this
distance, I could see another island--that's where it was storming. It felt
safe, for now...
"Will _they_ find us here?" I asked BJ. He just shrugged his
shoulders and told me to go back to sleep.
"You're dreaming too hard," he said, lying back on the sand. The sun
started to break through the clouds above us. It was morning.
Once I fell asleep in the dream, I woke up in real life.
__________________________________________________________________________
Dream Project
======Comments From Last Week's Dreams====================================
Beacause of the many animal and tree images, I feel this person has
a deep connection with nature. She likes to dealve below the surface to
find deeper or hidden meanings. Her dreams have a mystical, fairy-tale
quality, which leads me to believe that she herself holds some powerful
spiritual beliefs.
I think she has a wonderful, playful side, but when she's righteously
angry, you better watch out!
There is heavy sadness and anger about this Brandon person.
She seems very creative and imaginative, although she sometimes feels
helpless (rotting hands).
The mirrors suggest to me that she often spends much time and effort
on self-reflection, and internal searching.
Pam Ryan (pryan@prairienet.org)
I already know who this person is, so I have a bit of an
advantage determining what this person is like. I will try to pull a few
more thoughts out based on this person's dreams, though.
Many of the dreams had the dreamer talking with a "higher being";
like the angel or the butterfly woman or grandmother spider. They give
her advice, which often apply to waking life. I think this person is
often confronted in waking life with situations that she knows on how to
deal with (the higher beings), but knowing what to do and actually doing
it are not the same, so in the dream she muses on or hesitates to follow
the advice given her.
There tends to be a lot more violence and gore in her dreams than
I ever have in mine. I have two thoughts on this. First, that she has
had a lot of painful experiences in waking life, and these reflect in her
dreams.
The second thought is, maybe she is less mentally inhibitted than
I am. I wrap myself in my safe, sanitary dream cocoon, seldom getting
hurt or frightened, but not really learning new things about myself
either. When this other person dreams, she pulls down the safe walls and
allows herself the freedom to explore her dream world and herself, even
if what she finds may bring fear and pain.
I think this persons dream's are very wonderful and creative, and
she should cherish her ability to have such vivid, almost trippy,
dreams. (Sorry about the overuse of adjectives.)
Chris Beattie (cbeattie@uwspmail.uwsp.edu)
___________________________________________________________________________
Dream Articles
=====from ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu=========================
THE HISTORY OF DREAMS!
(Part Two)
by Val, the Dream Shaman
It wasn't until the late nineteenth century (big leap from the 16th!)
that psychological explanations were given to dreams. I'm sure we're all
familiar with infamous Dr. Freud in his work, "The Interpretation of Dreams"
(1900). It was there that he claimed that dreams were the "royal road" to the
unconscious. He stated that dreams were wish fulfillments of repressed
infantile desires. Daytime events, which Freud called "day residues,"
triggered nocturnal releases of repressed elements in the form of dreams.
Freud also used free association to interpret dreams, yet, because of the
sexual nature of Freud's psychology, dream elements were very often seen as
phallic or vaginal symbols.
Later on, in this century, pschiatrist Carl G. Jung considered dreams
"the expression of contents of the personal unconscious and the collective
unconscious." He claimed that the purpose of dreams were compensatory;
providing information about the self, achieving psychic equilibrium, and
offering inner guidence. Jung also believed that dream symbols from the
Collective Unconscious have universal, archetypical meanings, but the dream
symbols from the personal unconscious, do not.
According to Jung, dream symbols from the personal unconscious take on
meaning from the dreamer's experiences, beliefs, and cultural, ethnic, racial,
and religious heritage. He also believed that only the individual, not an
outsider, can interpret a dream's true meaning.
Carl Jung considered dream interpretation of the utmost importance in
the process of becoming whole. He claimed that our psyche seeks to have a
dialogue with us and brings information to us in three successive ways: first,
psychically (as in dreams and waking visions), second through "fate" (such as
accidents, illness, and other real life events), and third, through physical
disorder and disease. He said that, "to ignore our dreams is to court more
drastic events."
Another authority who had a similuar view on dreams, was the late
Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) an american psychic known as "the Sleeping Prophet"
who diagosed illnesses and prescribed remedies while under a *trance*. For
forty-three years he practiced this abscent healing, helping to cure people
from all over the world through his "dreams." Cayce believed that each cell
in the body had a consciousness all its own and, during a reading, he was able
to "see" (via mental or "creative" visualization) every gland, organ, blood
vessel, nerve, and tissue in a body. The cells "communicated" with his
unconscious and told him what was troubling them.
Whenever Cayce gave a reading, he would simply laid down and relaxed;
his objective mind became inactive and his subconscious took over. Cayce said
that "if the mind and will are directed toward shared creativity, then
resources will be drawn from the soul to yield helpful psychic impulses needed
for those tasks." Dreams were very important to Cayce in healing the mind and
body. Dreams were also another way in which "cells" communicate with the
unconscious to tell an individual what is troubling them.
In this century, other theories have been brought forward on the
nature, function, and meaning of dreams. From what I have learned (through
both academic studies and shamanic/spiritual practices) dreams and their
symbols are the raw language of the unconscious brought to the attention of
the conscious without censor. Dreams tell us about our inner selves, showing
us where we are in terms of individuation and showing us what needs to be
done or dealt with in waking life. Knowing and learning about our dreams is a
very healthy thing for us to do!
>>This article is in no way complete! If anyone has anything more to say on
the past and current history of dreams, send in what you've heard or learned!
I'm anxious to find more information...let's share our "finds" with one
another by printing them here. Chris and I will be expecting your
replies/submissions!!!!!
(Oops! I forgot a bibliography! Forgive me, next issue I shall list my
references, promise!)
May Morpheus bless your dreams,
Val the Dream Shaman
=========another from ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu===========================
A LIST OF DREAM CUSTOMS & SUPERSITIONS
(Part One)
by Val, the Dream Shaman
Since Science has not yet come up with all the keys and "missing
links" to explain away our dreams, many fears and ideas about dreams exist
today. In previous articles, I've shared with you some of the "stuff"
involved in the practice of Dreamcraft and Creative Visualization. From that,
I informed you of the way in which dreams can be manipulated to help you reach
a goal. This week I will let you in on some of the customs and supersitions
on dreams from around the world.
1. 100 years ago (and beyond that, I presume) much attention was given to the
type of feathers uesed to make pillows and beds. Pigeon feathers were
said to cause sleeplessness, until one's shoes were kept at the side of
the bed with the soles turned upward. Dove feathers were considered
extremely unlucky for they caused nightmarish visions. Partridge feathers
were thought to prevent disease. All feather beds and pillows, in
general, were considered to be effective protection against lightning
(many people used to lay on their beds during storms).
2. If you have a water bed, you have a better chance at having prophetic
dreams. Water beds also encourage love (water is often associated with
emotions such as love).
3. Before feathers were used, soft grasses and other plants provided the
cushioning for a bed. This practice still survives today in the form of
herbal pillows and sachets used to promote sleep and dreams.
4. If your bed is not parallel with the room's floorboards, the house's
*ch'i* (according to the Chinese and other cultures, including mine, a
house or other place of residence, is considered a pseudo-"living being"-
-with a soul, memories, etc.) or "spiritual energies" will be blocked,
causing a dreamer bodily harm. Also, a visible beam or rafter in the
ceiling over a bed will prevent sleep. Everything must be "aligned"
in the bedroom in order to promote good health (sleep and dreams have
always been important in the process of healing).
5. Having a mirror (whether it was over your bed or elsewhere) in your
bedroom was considered good luck. In folk magick, mirrors are used to
banish negativity for they allow "bad" energy to escape through them.
There is a Dreamcraft ritual in which the use of a mirror is especially
important. Say, for instance, you're having trouble falling asleep
because you can't stop thinking about the previous day's events and
worries. In order to relax, you would either stand in front of your
mirror (it has to be a "real" mirror, one with silver, not aluminum,
backing) or hold it in your hands. You'd concentrate and focus all the
negative thoughts and worries into the mirror. After you are done doing
that, the energy will "flow" back to you as positive energy--just think
of mirrors as "transmuters"--you are not "sending the negative energy
away from you" through them, you are using the mirror as a sort of
"filter"--chaning the "bad" energy into "good" energy. Energy is energy,
guys! If it's working against you, you can change it and use it for
something positive...
6. In every culture, there are certain sleeping positions, each with its own
benefits. If you sleep with your head pointed towards the North, you
will have increased stability, calmness, prosperity, and quick
recuperation from illness. Also, sleeping in the direction of North will
increase your potential for spiritual/magickal power. If you sleep
facing the East, your mental powers will be sharpened and, if you live in
a hot region, you will be cooled down. (Note: the Sun and Moon both rise
in the direction of the East. It is said that to sleep from East to West
is very beneficial because your body is following the natural course of
the heavens). Sleeping in the direction of the South you will be
afflicted with weariness and disease, says the old wives' tales.
Sleeping towards the West increases sensitivity for love and promotes
psychic ability. It is said that the direction of the West is most
beneficial for artists, because it ensures inspiration and creativity.
7. Also, another thing about mirrors: place them in your room so that they
are facing South. This will keep away nightmares and other nocturnal
discomforts.
8. Handmade quilts are said to make the most ideal of blankets, especially
when they are decorated with intricate patterns and were constructed
with loving care for the sleeper. All quilts have magickal designs.
Knots and interlacing patterns are protective, keeping the sleeper within
safe from harmful psychic influences. Floral and herbal designs promote
fertility and creativity. Square blocks and bright colours help you
retain lucidity and might turn you into an "early riser" (these designs,
because of their "busy-ness" tend to promote sleeplessness now and
then). Luckiest of all are "Star" or "rising sun" quilts. Those quilts
promote good luck and powerful dreams. In my culture, "Star" quilts are
given as a gesture of goodwill to new neighbors, newlyweds, babies,
etc. "Star" quilts are very special. If someone gives you one, you
know you just made a friend for life (especially if they made it by hand).
9. When you are having trouble getting to sleep, one charm suggests you
should kiss your pillow and tell it your wish. Soon you will fall asleep.
10. According to one old wives' tale, dirty dishes cause insomnia.
11. Lettuce leaves placed under your pillow, a lodestone tied to your
bedpost, or lapis lazuli worn at bedtime will ensure restful sleep.
12. A knife, gun, or other weapon, will safeguard the physical body during
sleep (duh!). Keeping a cyclamen or hoya plant (wax plant) in the
bedroom will chase away all ill. Fir branches hung over the bed will
keep away illness. And, even more interesting, tie a large red onion
to your bedpost to keep away nightmares (though the smell may get to
you after awhile...).
For more information check out:
Alderman, Clifforn Lindsey. _Symbols of Magic_.
Julian Messner, New York, 1977.
Baker, Margaret. _Gardener's Magic and Folklore_. Universe, New York, 1978.
Baker, Margaret. _Folklore and Customs of Rural England_.
Rowman and Littlefield, Totowa, New Jersey, 1974.
Cirlot, J. E. _A Dictionary of Symbols_. Philosophical Library, New York, 1962.
Cunningham, Scott and David Harrington. _The Magical Household_.
Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 1987.
Daniels, Cora Linn, ed. _Encyclopedia of Superstitions, Folklore,
and the Occult Sciences of the World_. (Three volumes)
Gale Research Co., Detroit, 1971.
DeLys, Claudia. _A Treasury of American Superstitions_.
Philsophical Library, New York, 1948.
Garfield, Patricia. _Creative Dreaming_. Ballantine, New York, 1976.
Leek, Sybil. _The Night Voyagers: You and Your Dreams_.
Mason/Charter, New York, 1975.
Rossbach, Sarah. _Feng Shui: The Chinese Art of Placement_.
Dutton, New York, 1983.
Waring, Phillipa. _A Dictionary of Omens and Superstitions_.
Ballantine, New York, 1979.
>>>That's it for now, see ya later...
Val
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Questions and Answers
*Since there was a "Life-Altering/Spiritual" dream in the last issue, what
are some of your dreams that have had spiritual themes? (Note: check out
Message Center; this could be a possible theme for one of our issues in the
future).
*Also, what do you guys think about having a Dreamer's/Reader's Poll? What
are some questions you'd like to ask your fellow dreamers here in _Electric
Dreams_? Perhaps we can all vote on the most popular/shared/universal dream
experience or symbol. Or what dead celebrity we all dream the most about,
etc., etc..... Think of some possibilities for next time--perhaps in a list
of questions, what we should take into consideration (such as gender,
occupation, what-have-you).
*One last question of the night/day... How many of you out there read the
comic book _SANDMAN_ written by Neil Gaiman? (I'd like to know because Chris
and I might be sending a letter in telling SANDMAN readers about _Electric
Dreams_). Also, (this might be silly, but...) how many of you have had
dreams about this comic book Morpheus? Have any of you had dreams about the
"real" Morpheus (the classical God of Sleep and Dreams)? If so or if not,
what do you think the Dream King would be like? What would the Dream Dude
himself think of this newsletter? Get bee-yu-tee-full-ly creative in your
comments!!!
This Morpheus thing could be another possible dream theme--or just comic book
characters in general...
(I'll share with you my views on Morpheus next issue--right here in the Q & A
section)
*Okay, so I lied, this is the _real_ last question... How many of you dream
in animation or in "graphic" form (such as comic books)? I've had several
dreams of seeing myself and others in comic book form. Weird, huh? Maybe
I've been reading them and drawing too many of my own lately... (help I'm
stuck in a two-dimensional universe!!!!!!!!)
--Val, the Dream Shaman (ka109016@spstmail.uwsp.edu)
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Electric Dreams is an independent electronic publication, and is not
affiliated with any other organization.
