Although a nightmare can be a truly terrifying experience(as in this dream), a nightmare can have a positive meaning.
But before we get into the actual interpretation, let’s take a look at the possible sources for our dreams and especially for our nightmares:·
The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung believed that our dream symbols typically come from the unconscious. Such symbols are derived from archetypes from the collective unconscious. I often use his theories when interpreting dreams.
o BTW– an archetype is not necessarily a “thing.” It can be a shape, object, plant, animal or a person. It can even be an event. o Jung stated that we can never know the true meaning of an archetype. Therefore, it follows that we can never know the true meaning of any dream that contains an archetype.
o If the dream is emotionally charged, we can be pretty sure that it contains
archetypes.·
Many of the archetypes/images that we see in our dreams have religious or spiritual significance. However, they may not necessarily coincide with the conscious beliefs of the dreamer. We sometimes see dreams where there are mythological images that are associated with the religious beliefs of the dreamer’s ancestors. Such images often come from the depths of the unconscious. ·
The American psychic Edgar Cayce stated that many of our dreams offer us feedback on how we are developing spiritually (and
presumably psychologically).·
But Cayce also stated that nightmares can be due to a spinal injury. If the nightmarish dreams began appearing “out of the blue,” the dreamer should check his or her
memory for any possible accident or injury that may have immediately predated
the onset of the nightmares.·
Although rare, I believe that a nightmare can actually be due to a spiritual attack.·
There are undoubtedly other sources for our dreams including our nightmares. For examples, the dream may be giving advice to the dreamer, there might be dead
relatives in our dreams which really are visits from the dead and some dreams might be precognitive.
And now, as for this dream (primarily using a Jungian approach) — I am not sure if I know the meaning of everything in this dream but I do have a few ideas.·
In most of our dreams, the dreamer represents the dreamer’s ego, which is the center of the conscious. ·
The other people in the dream are probably symbols of archetypes. Thus, when goes on a quest for these people, she is helping them to grow and develop.·
Setting bait for some monster may mean that the dreamer is attempting to control the monster.·
The drawbridge (which may be over a moat) is reminiscent of a bridge across a stream. This archetype probably means that the dreamer is taking a major change in her life.
o This change may be a psychological or spiritual change in the dreamer.
o Or it could be that the dreamer is literally crossing over to the other side. This may be the dreamer’s journey to the realm of the spirits.·
The castle may represent the dreamer in some way– perhaps her unconscious or her psyche. It may be that the dream is letting the dreamer know that she is“finding” herself.·
The monster was apparently a giant wolf. It was a wolf with red eyes. Whenever feasible, I usually interpret colors as they relate to chakras. The color red is associated with the first chakra.·
There are two wolves.
o They seem to be in to be in conflict.
If the wolf is a symbol of the first chakra, it may be that one represents the more positive side of the first chakra while the other represents the more negative side.
o Or it may be that one or both wolves are guardians to the gate to the land of the
dead.
o And,for what it’s worth, the Norse god Odin had two wolf companions. “At his feet, Odin had two loyal wolves Geri(‘greedy’) and Freki (‘ravenous’) that keep him company, guarding the border against the giants, who were sworn enemies of men and of the Aesir gods.”
www.ancientpages.com/2019/02/08/geri-and...in-in-norse-beliefs/
The Norse symbolism may be significant if the dreamer has European ancestry – especially from British, Germanic, Scandinavian or similar countries. (And, for what’s worth, Odin is Norse, patron-deity of shamanism.) ·
One of the wolves begins walking towards the castle. It looks like it wanted the dreamer to follow. This reminds me of the dogs that sometimes act as guides to the lower realm.·
The dreamer is running through a labyrinth. “In all cultures, the labyrinth has the meaning of an entangling and confusing representation of the world of matriarchal consciousness; it can be traversed only by those who are ready for a special initiation into the mysterious world of the collective unconscious.” P 125 “The unconscious is often symbolized by corridors, labyrinths, or mazes.” P 171
antilogicalism.com/wp-content/uploads/20...-and-his-symbols.pdf
· The second wolf went down a spiral staircase. The spiral is a very common symbol of kundalini. And the downward direction suggests that it is going to the lower realm.·
At the end of the dream, the wolf lunges towards the dreamer. The wolf did not appear to bite the dreamer but it did act like it may attack the dreamer. “Historically, if a shaman survived an attack, it was believed that the animal was the shaman's spirit totem and the attack was the totem's way of testing the shaman's ability to handle the power.”
www.frederike.eu/en/animal-totems/
BTW – the wolf may be the dreamer’s spirit animals, animal totems, power animals (or whatever you want to call the it).
Additionally, we do not choose the animal; the animal chooses us.
Final Thoughts –·
I believe that this is a positive dream.·
It has shamanistic overtones.
Some of this may be a little confusing.Be sure to get back with me if you have any questions. You can either reply or email me at
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Lugus
