This is a demonstration of a dream interpretation. If anyone would like me to interpret a dream--with or without posting it anonymously online--please let me know.
A note on anonymity: all dreams are used with permission. No defining characteristics will be shared that may lead to a discovery of the "donor's" identity. The gender of the dreamer is kept intact, unless requested.
Here are the dreams:
The dreamer is lying on a couch in pajamas. Her brother is lying on the couch across from her. They are both very lethargic, even though it is late in the day. The dreamer pees all over the couch. She panics. She runs to get paper towels and a spray bottle. Her mother cannot know about this, and she tells herself that she will just blame it on the dog.
Interpretation: The dominant feeling in this dream was that the mother might find out about the accident on the couch. Is the dreamer hiding anything in real life? Is there anything she is frightened about her mother finding out?
Urine most obviously symbolizes shame/embarrassment, or a feeling of a loss of control over oneself. Urine, being water, can also symbolize emotions. Upon further investigation of the dream, the dreamer recalled not feeling any particular urgency to get off the couch. Along with the fear of discovery, there was a sense of relief. Urinating symbolized releasing emotions, and releasing these emotions brought about relief.
After this realization, things fell into place. Couches are associated with therapy. The dreamer had recently begun seeing a therapist, something she felt she needed to do, but she didn't want her mother to know about it. So, although she was relieved to be seeing one and expressing upsetting feelings, she was also very nervous about her mother finding out.
The next dreamer had a dream with what she felt was rather disturbing imagery. In this dream, she had a genital piercing, specifically, two safety pins that pinned her labia shut. She was desperate to remove the safety pins, but she was in a very busy bookstore. She went into the bathroom, which was hot pink, and went into the first stall, but the toilet wasn't flushed. She found a clean stall, and tried to remove the piercings while a friend (nobody from real life, just a dream friend) called out to her outside the stall. She managed to remove one of the piercings, with great fear of "tearing herself up."
Interpretation: This dream caused some anxiety to interpret, as the dreamer was embarrassed. It was concluded that perhaps the piercing of the labia shut was an expression of shame about sexuality. However, the fact that she wanted the piercing removed was a sign of healing, and reclaiming of this sexuality.
It must also be noted that labia is another word for lips, that is, the lips of the mouth. The dreamer had been feeling stifled in waking life, but was getting better at communication. Again, the removal of one piercing was a good sign--she felt stronger about speaking her truth. However, the fact that one piercing still remained indicated that there was still work to be done. Perhaps her subconscious was telling her that she needed to communicate better with herself. The dreamer felt that there were messages coming from a very primal part of her, but she felt like she was "blocked" from this information.
The appearance of the friend outside the stall indicated a need for boundaries and periods of solitude, balanced with friends who cared. The dreamer was touched that the dream friend was concerned about her, and didn't want her to go away--just give her five minutes alone.
Pink, since it comes in many shades, comes with different interpretations. The hot pink of the bathroom was described by the dreamer as warm, flirty, fun, and glamorous--all can be adjectives used to describe a healthy female sexuality.
Public bathrooms are places associated with embarrassment, shame, and filth, and also symbolize boundaries and privacy. Going to one stall, deciding she wasn't going to use it, and moving on to another, cleaner one shows autonomy and some power to make decisions. She is also getting better at placing boundaries, because there are stalls in the bathroom. A stall-free bathroom indicates a lack of privacy and frustration about this lack.
The unflushed toilet shows a need to resolve emotions, to "flush" them away. When questioned about this, the dreamer said she had been feeling frustrated, and was working out some unpleasant memories.
The third dream involved the dreamer being in a friend's bedroom. The bedroom was very large, dimly lit, and in soft, soothing rose colors. Along the walls were little rooms with glass windows. One was an aquarium, full of small, phosphorescent fish and a very tiny glow- in -the- dark turtle. In another "room" were some wolf cubs. One of the wolf cubs was in the room above, cuddling with a new fawn.
Deer, particularly fawns, are symbolic of gentleness, grace, and innocence. This fawn was cuddling with a wolf cub, a symbol of the balance between loyalty and individuality. Both of these symbols can also be considered "feminine" (the deer because of its delicacy, and the wolf for its association with the Moon). Turtles are symbolic of a talent for negotiating Earth and Water. Both are feminine elements, the Earth the element of practicality, the physical, fertility, and abundance, and Water the element of the emotions, the unconscious, and the imagination. Both are elements of creation, making the Turtle a creative, sustaining creature in mythology. The phosphorescence of the turtle and the fish meant that they were equipped to go diving deep to find treasures, something the dreamer hoped she would do, metaphorically, with her friend. Further, fish are symbolic of the Water attributes, as well as the long life (they looked to be like tiny, glow-in-the-dark koi) she hoped for the friendship.
The dreamer had this dream after arranging to talk to her friend after a period of very limited contact. She was excited to speak to this friend, and saw her as having all the qualities embodied in the animals. However, she wasn't exactly sure what to expect after so long, and it was concluded that the dream was her subconscious reassuring her that the conversation would be quite comfortable (as seen in the lighting of the room and the bed). There was also a hint of sadness to the dream, as the animals were behind glass and she couldn't touch them or interact with them. She decided that she would love to see her friend in person.
Going deeper, it was suggested that, since all elements of a dream are aspects of the dreamer, that these animals were reminding the dreamer that she, too, must strive to be gentle, loyal, and willing to dive deep and create.
So, those were the interpretations! What did you all think? Please leave any additional insights in the comments. If you would like a dream interpreted, either privately or to be posted here (with 100% anonymity) please e-mail me at turtlephoenix@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Moon signs
When people think of astrology and personality, they most often think of the Sun sign. This is the sign people mean when they ask "What's your sign?" However, a person has a Sun sign, a Moon sign, a Rising sign, a Venus sign, a Mercury sign, a Mars sign, a Jupiter sign, a Saturn sign, a Uranus sign, a Neptune sign, and a Pluto sign. My hope is we will talk about all of these.
The Sun sign is the sign of the outward personality. Jung called it the "persona." It is the personality traits that people see, and that we are most comfortable showing to the world. That is not to say that this personality is fake. It is a part of us; its energy is the energy that most of the time feels most natural to us. It is also the most "social" energy of ourselves.
However, we have other types of energy that we are born with, and other energies that we can develop. This energy is closely related to the archetypes that Caroline Myss speaks of in her book Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential. Caroline Myss takes Jung's work with archetypes and expands upon it, but keeps many of the original archetypes Jung worked with. One of these archetypes is that of the Shadow.
The Shadow can be seen as being an opposite of the persona. It is the part of ourselves that we may not be very comfortable with, energy we are not sure what to do with, or energy we are not even consciously aware of possessing. Just as the persona is associated with the Sun and the energy of that sign, the Shadow can be associated with the Sun's opposite--the Moon.
The Moon has long been associated, in astrology, with emotions and the subconscious. The Moon sign, or the sign the Moon was in when you were born, thus tells how you handle your emotions. It tells about the personality that you may not show outwardly, and that you yourself may not be very familiar with, as the Moon, in traditional astrology, rules that particular realm. The Moon is also the ruler of the five senses, and your instincts. The energy with which you react to your environment is ruled by your Moon sign, according to astrology.
I myself am a Moon in Aries, which is interesting, since here a physical, fiery sign is in the watery realm of emotions and the subconscious. My sun is in a sign aligned with water--Luna (the sign formally known as Cancer and also known as Fegerri or Selene. We're still working this out. At least here at Turtlephoenix).
First, let's discuss the Shadow as I feel it, in my Moon placement. As a Moon in Aries, I am ashamed of my anger, which sometimes feels consuming. I am also very competitive, but, because I am insecure and frightened of displeasing others (a common complaint of people in my Sun sign), it tends to show up in self-destructive tendencies when I am feeling off balance--I constantly compare myself to others and never quite measure up.
As a Moon in Aries, however, I feel I have a certain passion for pursuing matters relating to the subconscious, the emotions, and the instinctual. When I am balanced, this competitive spirit helps me push myself. Also, when I am emotionally committed, I am in it for the long haul. This can be a double edged sword, as I don't take rejection easily. Going into the more personal realm, I see my exes, both erotic and platonic, as competition in the imaginary contest for whoever is more lovable, desirable, successful, etc. They usually have no idea they're running against me. Sometimes, I'm not even aware I'm in the race until my emotional legs give out.
Raven Kaldera chose Macha, an Irish goddess who was faster than anything on earth, including the King's horses. Her mortal husband bet she could outrun the King's horses, and the heavily pregnant Macha won the race. When she reached the finish line, she gave birth to twins, and then cursed all the men of Ulster. This is the Arien anger magnified by the intensity of the Moon.
Arien Moons are always quite open in the expression of their emotions, even if they try to hide them. As a weepy Luna, I have many a time bruised my Arien Moon pride by sobbing in front of people. That is the peril of this fire sign in the Moon, though. It's too strong to stifle.
Currently, the Moon is in Libra, and tomorrow it will enter Scorpio. Libra, being an air sign, is an uncomfortable place for the emotional moon, and the Shadow side is charm, flattery, and manipulation--as well as a tendency to play favorites--but it lends a romanticism, and an instinct for harmony and peacemaking that can't be beat. Raven Kaldera chose Isis for this placement, a goddess whose love and devotion brought her husband back from the dead, but marked her son as a tool for vengeance.
The Moon in Scorpio is powerful, indeed. The emotions here tend to be taboo--the sign of Scorpio rules sex, death, and rebirth--and the subconscious mind can be full of disturbing images that can peek out as disquieting thoughts. On the other hand, a placement here leads to a richness in imagination, fertile dreams, and a deep compassion. Raven Kaldera chose Hecate for Moon in Scorpio, the Greek goddess of death, crossroads, and the underworld, but also the goddess of midwives. As matriarchal medicine fell out of favor, the midwife became synonymous with witchcraft. This misunderstanding is very familiar to anyone with a lot of Scorpio energy, who understands that decay brings fertilization.
You can find your Moon sign here, at the Lunarium. Knowing the time of your birth is important, as the moon can stay in a sign for only a day.
Your Moon sign is not alone. All the archetypal energies of the signs and the planets interact with one another, and manifest in similar, but not identical, ways with each person. The fact that watery Luna is my sun affects how my firey moon expresses itself.
I want to take a moment here before we close to remind us that these signs are energy that is accessible by anyone. For example, if you are having relationship difficulties, call on Libra energies to help you balance your emotions. If you are preparing to do psychological work, either for yourself or for another, bring in Scorpio energy. Here is a quick visualization to help you.
Imagine that you are lying on your back in water of a comfortable temperature. You are completely safe in this water. Breathe smoothly and naturally. As you lie on your back, you are gazing up at the moon. This moon is a new moon, just a thin slice of silver in the sky.
As you gaze at it, the moon begins to swell into a full moon. As if swells, it fills with the color associated with the energy you want to access--if you need the strength and power of Aries, it shines red and orange. For Libra's peace, harmony, and charm, soft pink and blue, and for Scorpio's courage and insight, scarlet and black.
This light flows down on you, and pours into every cell. It lights up the chakras, the energy centers that form a path from the coccyx to the top of the head. Absorb this light. You may want to chant a mantra, repeating the quality you most want to draw into yourself--such as "peace," "courage," or "strength."
Soak in this power as long as you need. When the moon is full, bask in it, and feel the water supporting you. Then, let the moon wane until it is again a simple crescent in the sky. Afterwards, say thank you, and go about your day.
Archetypes associated with the Moon:
Virgin/Mother/Crone
The Heart
The Inner Child
The Moody One
Kindness
The Inner Parent
The Sun sign is the sign of the outward personality. Jung called it the "persona." It is the personality traits that people see, and that we are most comfortable showing to the world. That is not to say that this personality is fake. It is a part of us; its energy is the energy that most of the time feels most natural to us. It is also the most "social" energy of ourselves.
However, we have other types of energy that we are born with, and other energies that we can develop. This energy is closely related to the archetypes that Caroline Myss speaks of in her book Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential. Caroline Myss takes Jung's work with archetypes and expands upon it, but keeps many of the original archetypes Jung worked with. One of these archetypes is that of the Shadow.
The Shadow can be seen as being an opposite of the persona. It is the part of ourselves that we may not be very comfortable with, energy we are not sure what to do with, or energy we are not even consciously aware of possessing. Just as the persona is associated with the Sun and the energy of that sign, the Shadow can be associated with the Sun's opposite--the Moon.
The Moon has long been associated, in astrology, with emotions and the subconscious. The Moon sign, or the sign the Moon was in when you were born, thus tells how you handle your emotions. It tells about the personality that you may not show outwardly, and that you yourself may not be very familiar with, as the Moon, in traditional astrology, rules that particular realm. The Moon is also the ruler of the five senses, and your instincts. The energy with which you react to your environment is ruled by your Moon sign, according to astrology.
I myself am a Moon in Aries, which is interesting, since here a physical, fiery sign is in the watery realm of emotions and the subconscious. My sun is in a sign aligned with water--Luna (the sign formally known as Cancer and also known as Fegerri or Selene. We're still working this out. At least here at Turtlephoenix).
First, let's discuss the Shadow as I feel it, in my Moon placement. As a Moon in Aries, I am ashamed of my anger, which sometimes feels consuming. I am also very competitive, but, because I am insecure and frightened of displeasing others (a common complaint of people in my Sun sign), it tends to show up in self-destructive tendencies when I am feeling off balance--I constantly compare myself to others and never quite measure up.
As a Moon in Aries, however, I feel I have a certain passion for pursuing matters relating to the subconscious, the emotions, and the instinctual. When I am balanced, this competitive spirit helps me push myself. Also, when I am emotionally committed, I am in it for the long haul. This can be a double edged sword, as I don't take rejection easily. Going into the more personal realm, I see my exes, both erotic and platonic, as competition in the imaginary contest for whoever is more lovable, desirable, successful, etc. They usually have no idea they're running against me. Sometimes, I'm not even aware I'm in the race until my emotional legs give out.
Raven Kaldera chose Macha, an Irish goddess who was faster than anything on earth, including the King's horses. Her mortal husband bet she could outrun the King's horses, and the heavily pregnant Macha won the race. When she reached the finish line, she gave birth to twins, and then cursed all the men of Ulster. This is the Arien anger magnified by the intensity of the Moon.
Arien Moons are always quite open in the expression of their emotions, even if they try to hide them. As a weepy Luna, I have many a time bruised my Arien Moon pride by sobbing in front of people. That is the peril of this fire sign in the Moon, though. It's too strong to stifle.
Currently, the Moon is in Libra, and tomorrow it will enter Scorpio. Libra, being an air sign, is an uncomfortable place for the emotional moon, and the Shadow side is charm, flattery, and manipulation--as well as a tendency to play favorites--but it lends a romanticism, and an instinct for harmony and peacemaking that can't be beat. Raven Kaldera chose Isis for this placement, a goddess whose love and devotion brought her husband back from the dead, but marked her son as a tool for vengeance.
The Moon in Scorpio is powerful, indeed. The emotions here tend to be taboo--the sign of Scorpio rules sex, death, and rebirth--and the subconscious mind can be full of disturbing images that can peek out as disquieting thoughts. On the other hand, a placement here leads to a richness in imagination, fertile dreams, and a deep compassion. Raven Kaldera chose Hecate for Moon in Scorpio, the Greek goddess of death, crossroads, and the underworld, but also the goddess of midwives. As matriarchal medicine fell out of favor, the midwife became synonymous with witchcraft. This misunderstanding is very familiar to anyone with a lot of Scorpio energy, who understands that decay brings fertilization.
You can find your Moon sign here, at the Lunarium. Knowing the time of your birth is important, as the moon can stay in a sign for only a day.
Your Moon sign is not alone. All the archetypal energies of the signs and the planets interact with one another, and manifest in similar, but not identical, ways with each person. The fact that watery Luna is my sun affects how my firey moon expresses itself.
I want to take a moment here before we close to remind us that these signs are energy that is accessible by anyone. For example, if you are having relationship difficulties, call on Libra energies to help you balance your emotions. If you are preparing to do psychological work, either for yourself or for another, bring in Scorpio energy. Here is a quick visualization to help you.
Imagine that you are lying on your back in water of a comfortable temperature. You are completely safe in this water. Breathe smoothly and naturally. As you lie on your back, you are gazing up at the moon. This moon is a new moon, just a thin slice of silver in the sky.
As you gaze at it, the moon begins to swell into a full moon. As if swells, it fills with the color associated with the energy you want to access--if you need the strength and power of Aries, it shines red and orange. For Libra's peace, harmony, and charm, soft pink and blue, and for Scorpio's courage and insight, scarlet and black.
This light flows down on you, and pours into every cell. It lights up the chakras, the energy centers that form a path from the coccyx to the top of the head. Absorb this light. You may want to chant a mantra, repeating the quality you most want to draw into yourself--such as "peace," "courage," or "strength."
Soak in this power as long as you need. When the moon is full, bask in it, and feel the water supporting you. Then, let the moon wane until it is again a simple crescent in the sky. Afterwards, say thank you, and go about your day.
Archetypes associated with the Moon:
Virgin/Mother/Crone
The Heart
The Inner Child
The Moody One
Kindness
The Inner Parent
Saturday, September 1, 2012
The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is the tenth card in the Major Arcana. Ten is the number of completion and new beginnings. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us of cycles, and that all endings bring new beginnings, just as every beginning inevitably grows, changes, and sometimes becomes an ending. It also reminds us that downs are a part of life, and every down must have an up.
It also is good to know that The Wheel of Fortune is the card halfway through the Major Arcana, and is the gateway from the materialistic, practical first half into the more spiritual, abstract latter half (Barbara Walker Tarot 10).
Robin Wood's Wheel of Fortune shows the rise and fall of the fortunes (and the joy) of a woman. The colors whose tips touch oppose each other, with bright, sunshine yellow at the zenith and indigo at the nadir. Night must follow day, just as day follows night, and if this is accepted, life becomes easier. As the wheel turns clockwise, the warm yellow fades to the cooler colors of greens and blues as the wheel descends, and then the colors warm into fuchsias, reds and oranges. Life is made up of all shades of emotions, from euphoria to despair.
The silver ball going around symbolizes the arbitrariness of fate. Sometimes life doesn't rise and fall in an expected rhythm.
Julian De Burgh and Mary Guinan's Wheel of Fortune shows an image that, depending on the other cards in the reading, can be comforting or alienating. The blonde woman watching over the wheel may be a guardian angel, reminding the questioner that no matter what, help, comfort and love are always available. On the other hand, she may be listless and apathetic, showing the randomness of fate.
The Celtic Deck's Wheel of Fortune also shows two men, one rising and one falling. Looking closely at the man going up, one can see that he is climbing. This could mean that the questioner must strive and work to achieve his desired fate, and that it is in the questioner's power to create his destiny.
Keep in mind that I am only writing what I am seeing in this card on this particular day. When you look at the card, you may be focusing on something else. Or, you may be focusing on the man on the upswing, and seeing something totally different. That's wonderful!
On Barbara G. Walker's deck, you may see some familiar creatures in the four corners of the card--they are the masculine versions of the animals seen on the card for The World. Traditionally, these are the four elements--the Lion is Fire, the Angel is Air, the Bull is Earth, and the Eagle is Water. Of course, they can mean more than that--the Eagle can represent farsightedness and freedom, the Lion courage and nobility, the Angel protection and wisdom, and the Bull hard work and fertility. What do the male animals signify to you?
An interesting aspect of Barbara G. Walker's Wheel is that it could be seen as rotating counter-clockwise, as the figure on the left with the head of an ass is falling down, while the figure on the right with the head of a hawk is climbing up. While a clockwise movement is associated with the Sun, masculinity, and the bringing in of energy in Wiccan tradition, counterclockwise is the feminine and repelling.
Barbara G. Walker writes that the figure with the Hawk head is Horus, the ancient Egyptian god of the Sun, and the plummeting man with the Ass head is Set, who represents darkness and the sterile desert (Barbara Walker Tarot 10). Using the cards and your own intuition, you can decide whether the questioner is Horus or Set in the situation, and whether it is the right time to make a move and achieve an end, or to wait and avoid disaster, or to expect delays or obstacles.
At the top is Justice, reminding us that our actions always have an effect, whether now or in the future. She keeps track of our karmic debts, and makes sure we are rewarded through the Ankh, representing love and protection, or punished through her sword.
The mention of karma leads me through association to the concept of samsara, which is the great cosmic wheel of life. In Hinduism, being in samsara means that the soul is still going through the process of reincarnation, and therefore has not reached the enlightenment necessary to enter Bhraman, or the Great Cosmic Spirit. If The Wheel of Fortune comes up in a reading, it may mean that the questioner is reaching an epiphany, or that the questioner is not quite ready for an undertaking.
Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and luck, is the goddess chosen for the Wheel of Fortune by Kris Waldherr for the Goddess Deck. She flies on Garuda, the King of Birds, with a lotus as her cushion, accompanied by her companion Vishnu the Sustainer. When the card is upright, she symbolizes abundance and good fortune, but if she is flying upside down, it means that the wheel of Samsara is still turning, and things may be on a temporary downswing.
It also is good to know that The Wheel of Fortune is the card halfway through the Major Arcana, and is the gateway from the materialistic, practical first half into the more spiritual, abstract latter half (Barbara Walker Tarot 10).
The silver ball going around symbolizes the arbitrariness of fate. Sometimes life doesn't rise and fall in an expected rhythm.
The Celtic Deck's Wheel of Fortune also shows two men, one rising and one falling. Looking closely at the man going up, one can see that he is climbing. This could mean that the questioner must strive and work to achieve his desired fate, and that it is in the questioner's power to create his destiny.
Keep in mind that I am only writing what I am seeing in this card on this particular day. When you look at the card, you may be focusing on something else. Or, you may be focusing on the man on the upswing, and seeing something totally different. That's wonderful!
An interesting aspect of Barbara G. Walker's Wheel is that it could be seen as rotating counter-clockwise, as the figure on the left with the head of an ass is falling down, while the figure on the right with the head of a hawk is climbing up. While a clockwise movement is associated with the Sun, masculinity, and the bringing in of energy in Wiccan tradition, counterclockwise is the feminine and repelling.
Barbara G. Walker writes that the figure with the Hawk head is Horus, the ancient Egyptian god of the Sun, and the plummeting man with the Ass head is Set, who represents darkness and the sterile desert (Barbara Walker Tarot 10). Using the cards and your own intuition, you can decide whether the questioner is Horus or Set in the situation, and whether it is the right time to make a move and achieve an end, or to wait and avoid disaster, or to expect delays or obstacles.
At the top is Justice, reminding us that our actions always have an effect, whether now or in the future. She keeps track of our karmic debts, and makes sure we are rewarded through the Ankh, representing love and protection, or punished through her sword.
The mention of karma leads me through association to the concept of samsara, which is the great cosmic wheel of life. In Hinduism, being in samsara means that the soul is still going through the process of reincarnation, and therefore has not reached the enlightenment necessary to enter Bhraman, or the Great Cosmic Spirit. If The Wheel of Fortune comes up in a reading, it may mean that the questioner is reaching an epiphany, or that the questioner is not quite ready for an undertaking.
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