www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Dream Interpretation

Dear Friends,

It's almost inevitable, but whenever my extended family gets around a table, the subject of dreams will come up.

My dreams sometimes get to me and I've even looked at books pretending to interpret symbols in dreams - this was actually part of a social psychology course I once took.

I've had dreams about people here on this forum, dreams that I've been told sometimes accurately conveys the situation they are in.

But, most recently, I had a dream that literally shook me - and that feeling is still with me.

I dreamed I had a crucifix in my right hand and an image of the Mother of God in the other.

Then, the figures on both began to move and someone shouted, "They're miraculous!"

I woke up happy, excited, surprised and then . . . wondering what that was all about.

In your view, are such dreams worth being troubled about?

Are they trying to tell one something? Or are they simply irrelevant figments of the imagination?

Is it sinful to even consider whether such dreams have any meaning in terms of future events?

I once read that to dream of a crucifix means that misfortune is on its way.

But surely this is a pagan, anti-Christian interpretation?

Alex

Alex,

In general, dreams are simply the mind's way of unwinding. There have been numerous attempts at doing dream analysis to see if they mean anything but I think that there is little scientific evidence that such analysis is universally applicable.

Certainly, at times, our dreams can reflect our own fears, ambitions or simply situations in which we find ourselves. Because the mind works the same in virtually everyone, there are certain images (falling, being naked, etc.) that are common to virtually all people at some time in their lives. There have been some meanings given to these things that appear to be generally useful in doing dream analysis.

I generally do not remember my dreams, even when I want to. On the other hand, some are quite memorable and easy to recall for an hour or so after I awaken, but they generally disappear after that unless I recount them.

One of the most vivid dreams I ever had related to my ordination -- and took place nearly five years before I even entered the diaconal formation program. The strange thing about the dream is that the priest who vested me in my dream was someone I didn't know -- but who turned out to be my pastor at the time of my ordination! Or, at least, who had the build of the priest in my dream.

Edward, deacon, day-dreamer and sinner.

Bless, Father Deacon,

Yes, my day-dreams often lead me into (venial) sins . . .

Then how does one explain it if one has a dream of a person the day before that person dies?

This has happened to me more times than I can remember.

It is said that to dream of a bishop is to have good luck immediately (unless you're an EC seminary candidate who wants to be a married priest, I presume . . .).

The only time I dreamed of a bishop, I received a very large sum of money the next day.

And the cheque is coming on February 12th . . .

?

Alex

Very interesting, and my Baba also interpreted dreams, but she also said that when a dog was digging a whole someone was to die.
Lauro

Dear Lauro,

Well, I was certainly going to the dogs for the last little while . . .

Alex

Alex,

Because dreams are a part of our mental makeup, they can certainly reflect what we know, or think we know. They can be utterly false, contain a kernel of truth, or actually appear to predict something -- but the latter usually falls into the category of interpreting what we thought we saw in our dream. In a sense, it's much like deja vu -- simply something similar.

Edward, deacon and sinner

Bless, Father Deacon!

Thank you - but I do get a sense of forboding with respect to the last dream I had.

I think it foretells good fortune.

Perhaps I just need a vacation in Florida.

Wait . . . my wife just called to say . . .

Alex

Alex,

They ARE miraculous. Not necessarily those two specific objects, of course....


Sharon

I frequently have had dreams come true. However, it is the source of the dreams that must be considered. Because a dream comes true does not mean that it was sent by God. In fact, the opposite is more likely to be true. Once we begin to rely on signs and portents viewed in dreams, we are that much closer to fortune-telling, and other devices of the Evil One...things that turn our attention and focus from Christ and onto the "future"...to the detriment of ourselves, and our souls, and possibly our free will as we strive to subtley alter our lives to conform to the dream...

So who sends the dream images?

The Fathers tell us to be wary of such.

I feel that advice is sound.

I have a variety of dreams, some result from what I saw on TV, some are answers to problems I'm experiencing, some are just foolishness. I've never dreamt of Our Lord or Our Holy Mother, but have awaken with them on my mind and have experienced tremendous joy.

Maybe it's silly, but every night I ask my guardian angel to look over me while I sleep and to not let me sin involuntarily in my dreams.

Not silly at all.


In fact, the prayer of Antiochus the Monk, is a part of Compline - the Church's original and best "Tuck me in, Lord" service.


From memory, so please forgive if I've inadvertently amended something:


Now that we are about to lie down to sleep, grant us O Master, the repose of our souls and bodies. Preserve us from the dark slumber of sin, and against any impure satisfaction that roams around in the darkness of night. Quiet the assaults of our passions, arrest the darts that the evil one insidiously throws at us, still the commotions of our flesh, and calm all earthly and worldly feelings within us.

Grant us O Lord, a watchful mind, innocent thoughts, a sober heart, a gentle sleep, free from evil dreams. At the hour of prayer, arouse us, strong in the practice of your commands, and ever mindful of your desires.

Grant us the grace to sing your praises throughout the night, to praise, bless and glorify your all-holy and magnificent Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.


Best,

Sharon

1 Empty and false are the hopes of the senseless, and fools are borne aloft by dreams.
2 Like a man who catches at shadows or chases the wind, is the one who believes in dreams.
3 What is seen in dreams is to reality what the reflection of a face is to the face itself.
4 Can the unclean produce the clean? can the liar ever speak the truth?
5 Divination, omens and dreams all are unreal; what you already expect, the mind depicts.
6 Unless it be a vision specially sent by the Most High, fix not your heart on it;
7 For dreams have led many astray, and those who believed in them have perished.
8 The law is fulfilled without fail, and perfect wisdom is found in the mouth of the faithful man.

Sirach 34:1-8

Sharon, funny you should say:

because I must be singing while I sleep (though I don't remember it),when I awaken, I'm in the middle of a song that we sing at Litugy.

There's ample evidence from Scripture that God has used dreams to communicate with us on occasion. However I'd say that the most important thing to do when interpreting a dream is to heed the words of 1 St John 4:1 "Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God". Obviously God would never be responsible for a dream that entices us to do or act contrary to his word.

Personally I have experienced a few dreams in my life where God has given me nightmares over sins that I previously refused to come to terms with. I certainly would never consider all dreams to come from God though.

Dear Friends,

O.K., I'll forget about the dreams!

Alex

My dad has premonitions in his dreams on occasion. I've got to go now, but perhaps later tonight I can expand on this. Truly odd.

Logos Teen

I was having a great crisis in my life at one time and dreamt I was praying in front of a statue of the Blessed Virgin. In the dream she spoke to me, but no words were used. Her message was that I should not worry, that all would be okay. I know that this was from her. She was right. I think your dream means that your faith is alive.

Dear LaFamiliaFelix,

I've no trouble believing that!

Alex

There are many times that we have been reassured or directed through dreams. Acts 2:17 �And in the last days it will be,� God says, �that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 2:19 And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

There have been many times that I, through the grace of God, have done spiritual warfare through dreams while asleep. I feel this reluctantly to share, but it is a great example of how dreams can work. I can tell you this because of the confirmations afterwards. As an example in a dream I was walking in an area where they were all of these dark fallen angel statues, many of which had fallen over, there were some grave stones. In one hand I had hold of a woman and a small boy in the other hand. I remeber saying come on we have to get out of there. The prayer during the dream was very intense. The next morning we were awaken by a phone call from a hospital in another town, that my SIL had cut her wrists and was in the psyc. ward of the hospital, and our nephew was with a friend of hers. Often there are confirmations, sometimes there aren't, but I know God has worked through my dreams. I am aware and just know he has allowed me at that time to assist in some type of spirital battle. Jesus is always the victor!

Pani Rose

Scripture is full of warnings about too much attention to dreams and also accounts of God speaking through dreams. Dreams can be a hodge-podge of impressions from our lives, or images and sensations from the psyche, or profound intuitions from the soul, or God speaking to us in a mysterious way. I think in general we intuitively know which is which, if we have a whit of wisdom.
My grandmother always would know in a dream when someone was going to die, and when my father died my uncle -a thousand miles away- dreamed of him, and my dad told him that he was in a better place; it was no surprise when my uncle got the phone call about my dad's death... it's that Celtic mystical thing, you know.
In my own life I have had a few profound and recurring dreams and a knack for interpreting the dreams others would recount to me. Though they are often disappointed to learn that their dreams in fact are nonsensical collages!

Oh, and Alex- I think your dream is simple: the Mother of God and Christ Crucified are the anchors of your life, miraculous indeed. To quote my [ancient Scottish] family motto: "Hold fast!"

Dear Alex,

I wouldn't make too much of 'this means this' and 'that means that' type of interpretations. The Greeks do that too, and it does border on the occult and superstitious, if you think about it.

As for dreams that are sacred, take them for what they are, and if they have been intense enough that you remember them vividly, hold onto them for your faith.

I once lost my faith completely for a day because of extreme lack of hope and despair. The Lord Jesus gave me an awesome dream, which is so personal, yet was so real, that I should not share it out of humility and fear of God. He loved me enough to give that dream to me, so that my faith could be restored, and so I could hold on for a while more.

I also was bothered by occasional nightmares of demons from my teens until my late thirties. They were so fearsome, (sometimes I would try to rebuke the demons in my dream, but to no avail) that until they stopped, I never slept anywhere alone. If my husband was away, I would have my mother sleep over...it sounds so babyish, I know, but I was paralyzed with fear when I awoke from these dreams.

Anyway, getting back to your original post...although dreams are a mystery, I would be very careful about interpreting benign occurences in them into deeper meanings.

In Christ our Lord,
Alice

Dear Alice,

I think your post shows much wisdom.

I don't give much thought imto the meaning of my dreams.

A good Catholic psychologist (he wrote a book on the Jesus Prayer) very lightly helped me understand some of my dreams using symbolic interpretation. I found with good guidance dreams can be one indicator of my spiritual and psychological health.

God is good. He freely gives us every grace we need in life when we need it. Dreams can be one of these graces.

Christ's Peace to you,

Paul

Everyone -

I haven't been on the Forum much lately, and I just now stumbled across this thread. Sorry to intrude on the discussion, but -

Alex -

I believe some dreams come from God; others from demons; others from our own psyche. What is important is having the discernment to know where the dream came from. Prayer is the only way to get that discernment. If the dream continues to trouble you, ask God and the Blessed Virgin to show you what it means. How you react to the dream is important - if it causes you to take your eyes off God and focus on the dream, it is not a good thing. But if it draws you closer to Him, then it is a good thing.

I'll discuss this further with you privately.

In Christ,
Tammy

Well, last night I dreamed that my cat brought a dead mouse into the apartment. So I fervently HOPE that was not a premonition.

Dear Dolly,

It probably means that you are yourself a pussy-cat, very Purr-fect and that you don't suffer rats easily . . .

Alex

Dear Tammy,

I will definitely pray for discernment and that God reveals to me His Will for me.

And I think this thread is great - I love the idea of possibly being psychoanalyzed!

Perhaps all of you here will eventually succeed in getting me figured out on the basis of dreams and previous posts!!

If you figure me out, could you send a collective e-mail to the Administrator and inform him too?

Alex

Dear Alex,

Figure you out? Why would we want to figure you out? I'd rather enjoy your posts.

I can't even figure myself out. My bride can.

Psychology is the study of the soul.
Except when practiced by quacks.

Peace to your soul (psyche),

Paul

Dear Alex,

Did you discuss your dream with your spiritual director? I'm sure he knows you better than anyone on this board. A discussion forum gives a rather two-dimensional view of a person... Someone who knows you in person should be able to make a much more accurate psychoanalysis!

Tammy

Dear Tammy,

Actually, my director who told me to get lost has accepted me back again . . .

I'll have to tell him, to be sure!

Alex

Dear Paul,

Thank you!

Let's see how entertaining my students find me next month . . .

If any one of them lurks on the Byzantine Forum - I'm probably done for!!

Alex