Although I do not understand everything about this dream, I believe that it is a positive dream.
As the dreamer may have guessed, it is unlikely that this dream is meant to be taken literally. Thus, we can look for a symbolic meaning.
• A symbolic interpretation is consistent with the ideas of the late Swiss psychologist Carl Jung (1875-1961). Although there are numerous sites that get into his methods, my favorite is Man and His Symbols. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes are from this book. I have only touched on a few parts of his book in this interpretation. If you are interested in more detailed information, take a look at his book.
• I believe that much of this dream lends itself to a Jungian interpretation; however, there are several possible interpretations within the context of a Jungian approach.
• I also believe that many of our dreams will have mythological or religious images. It is not uncommon for these images to have little to do with religious beliefs of the dreamer. Additionally, I also agree with Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) who said that our dreams give us feedback on how we are progressing spiritually (and probably psychologically).
First a little background info on the ideas of Jung. Jung stated that the psyche (which is the mind) contains both the consciousness and the unconscious. At the center of the psyche is an archetype called the Self.
• My consciousness contains those things that I know and that I know that I know. For example, I know that I have been married 47 years and have children and grandchildren. The ego is at the center of the consciousness. When we see ourselves in a dream, we are often seeing our ego.
• The unconscious contains the personal unconscious and the collective unconscious.
o My personal unconscious contains those things that I used to know but have since forgotten. For example, I don’t remember the name of my 12th grade English teacher. The personal unconscious is the source of our complexes.
o The collective unconscious contains those things that I do not consciously know or understand. It is the source of our archetypes. These archetypes can appear in our dreams as an object, a plant, an animal, a person, an event or even something (or someone) from mythology (or religion). For many people, some of these archetypes will have a mythological or religious symbolism.
And now for the dream --
• Although this dream does not seem to be related to the dreamer’s pregnancy, it may be a subtle reference that I don’t understand.
o “It's common for pregnant women to dream about their baby, baby animals, body changes, water, and being in labor. Pregnant women have more babies and children in their dreams than non-pregnant women.”
o For a more specific example, “According to Buddhist legend, Maha Maya dreamed that a white elephant with six tusks entered her right side, which was interpreted to mean that she had conceived a child who would become either a world ruler or a buddha. After 10 lunar months, feeling that the time of birth was near, she went to the Lumbini grove outside the city of Kapilavastu. While she stood upright and held onto the branch of a sal tree (in the posture adopted by mothers of all buddhas), the child came forth from under her right arm. Seven days after his birth (again, in accordance with the destiny of the mothers of all buddhas) she died and was reborn again in the Heaven of the Thirty-three Gods (Tavatimsa Heaven). The scenes of the conception and delivery of Gautama Buddha are often depicted in art.”
• As the dream opens, the dreamer meets of old female acquaintance. She might be the wise, old woman archetype which would be a symbol of the Self.
o “The Self — the inner center of the total psyche — is often personified in dreams as a superior human figure. To women, the Self might appear as a wise and powerful goddess — like the ancient Greek mother goddess Demeter (right, shown with her son Triptolemus and daughter Kore. in a fifth-century - B.C. relief). The ‘fairy godmother’ of many tales is also a symbolic personification of the female Self: above. Cinderella's godmother (from an illustration by Gustave Dore). Below, a helpful old woman (also a fairy godmother) rescues a girl in an illustration of a Hans Christian Andersen tale.” P197
o As suggested above, the Self can appear, for a woman, as a mythological goddess, or as a helpful or wise older woman.
• Although slightly less likely, she could instead be a symbol of the shadow. In our dreams, the shadow is another archetype and shows itself as a person who is the same sex as the dreamer. The shadow is typically the opposite of the dreamer in some way. For example, if the dreamer is an introverted, stay-at-home type, the shadow might appear in a dream as a wild, carefree party-girl.
The dream lady “had three pupils/irises in her right eye. Her left eye was normal.” Very strange. I can think of a few possible meanings (which are not necessarily mutually exclusive):
• The three-eyes-in-one could mean that she some form of exceptional sight or insight. This insight could refer to the dreamer’s friend, but I believe that it is more likely that she is an archetype. (Just a little reminder -- archetypes come from the dreamer’s unconscious; therefore, she would be a part of the dreamer.)
• It might refer to a trinity – either male or female. Although many Christians are familiar with the concept of a trinity, there are a wide range of trinities in different myths and religions.
o There are many female trinities. One of the most common female trinities is the maiden-woman-crone trinity. It is often associate with the phases of the moon. If the pupils resembled the waning, waxing and full moon phases, that would be an especially strong indicator of this female trinity. There is also the three-headed Hectate – “the [Greek] goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Another common triple goddess, especially for people with a Celtic/European ancestry, is Brigid. She is often associated with fire; thus, fiery pupils could represent Brigid.
o But, as mentioned in the dream, this three-in-one was in the right eye. The right side is associated with the masculine and the consciousness while the left is associated with the feminine and the unconscious. Thus, this right eye could refer to a male trinity.
o It may seem to be a little strange to have a masculine symbol in a female archetype. However, if the dreamer’s ex is a symbol of her animus, the possible masculinity of the three pupils in the right eye could be an indication of the growth of the animus. But who is this animus?
The animus is an archetype from the collective unconscious. The animus is always male and is only found in the psyche and dreams of women.
“The animus, just like the anima, exhibits four stages of development. He first appears as a personification of mere physical power — for instance, as an athletic champion or "muscleman." In the next stage he possesses initiative and the capacity for planned action. In the third phase, the animus becomes the "word,“ often appearing as a professor or clergyman. Finally, in his fourth manifestation, the animus is the incarnation of meaning. On this highest level he becomes (like the anima) a mediator of the religious experience whereby life acquires new meaning. He gives the woman spiritual firmness, an invisible inner support that compensates for her outer softness. The animus in his most developed form sometimes connects the woman’s mind with the spiritual evolution of her age, and can thereby make her even more receptive than a man to new creative ideas. It is for this reason that in earlier times women were used by many nations as diviners and seers. The creative boldness of their positive animus at times expresses thoughts and ideas that stimulate men to new enterprises.” p194-195
“Like the anima, the animus does not merely consist of negative qualities such as brutality, recklessness, empty talk, and silent, obstinate, evil ideas. He too has a very positive and valuable side; he too can build a bridge to the Self through his creative activity.” p193
• The dreamer’s ex was also in the dream. His appearance may have little to do with the dream.
o He could represent the real-life ex of the dreamer.
o Or, he could be another archetype, such as the animus, from the collective unconscious.
Hope this helps and is not too confusing,
Lugus
