THE FEELING OF BEING A PRISONER

which involves almost total paralysis of bodily motor functions. And that’s a good thing, because no matter how dire the situation in a nightmare may be, atonia prevents the body from physically acting out the scenario. For the dreamer, a nightmare is more like watching an electrifying movie.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONTROL OUR DREAMS?

Since ancient times, there are records of people having lucid dreams—those in which the dreamer is aware of the dreaming. This sometimes enables a dreamer to have some control over the setting, narrative, and characters in the dream and to actively intervene in the proceedings. Aristotle mentions the phenomenon, and some Eastern religions promote the advantages of being aware of a state of dreaming. As with most dreams, lucid dreaming often occurs during REM sleep. While having frequent lucid dreams is rare, about 55% of people experience the phenomenon at least once in their lifetime. Several factors make lucid dreams more likely. Getting enough sleep at night will generally increase the amount of REM sleep, thus also increasing the frequency of dreams in general. Keeping a journal of your dreams can help your brain become more aware of dreaming. Performing reality checks during the day can also make you far more aware of a dream while you’re asleep: Actions such as looking into a mirror or pinching your

nose shut, for instance, are different in a dream (your reflection won’t look normal; you’ll be able to breathe even though your nose is pinched shut).

There are numerous benefits to lucid dreaming. It could diminish the frequency of nightmares. Or it may make you aware that a nightmare is not real, giving you a chance to gain control over the terrifying situation. You can practice motor skills during a lucid dream, and this will enhance your physical abilities in waking life.

In fact, lucid dreaming is believed to help people with physical disabilities to overcome them. It is also believed that people who have lucid dreams are likely to be more creative. But it can also work the other way around: Some people say that lucid dreaming has increased their imagination and their level of creativity.

All in all, our dreams appear to hold immense potential. A young man who was suffering from neurodermatitis— a skin condition that causes chronic itching—reported a dream of being in a desert landscape: “I cried out: ‘Why am I ill?’ Then I saw a vulture approaching. It opened its beak and I saw that it had wolf’s teeth, which suddenly fell out. The vulture replied: ‘That’s why!’ I got the message: My problem was that my life had become weak and toothless, so to speak.” The 20-year-old ended a relationship, changed jobs, and signed up for a boxing course. His neurodermatitis completely disappeared.

An avalanche in a dream can represent overwhelming stress and pressure in your life. You may feel the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But it can also signify emotions that have long been repressed

Birds generally represent our aspirations, hopes, and goals. A bird can be a symbol of the imagination or of psychological or spiritual freedom. A dream about dying birds stands for disappointment, while attacking birds suggest the dreamer is being pulled in many different directions. Birds that are trying to get into a house can suggest that other people are interfering in your life, making it difficult for you to follow the path that you have chosen. Bird eggs have been considered a symbol of money, but seeing birds hatching from eggs suggests success will be delayed. Dreaming about a bird’s nest can be an indication that you feel secure.

Dreaming about a cul-de-sac suggests that the dreamer is involved in a senseless activity with unclear intentions and goals. The current path is not working; it’s time to find another way to get the job done. In real life, you might figuratively be going nowhere. The dead end may refer to a job or relationship. It is clearly time to reevaluate the options and seek a new path, to break old habits and learn from past mistakes.

A dream about this innocent relic from childhood can reflect a need for greater security. Perhaps you seek to escape from waking life responsibilities and problems. Playing with a doll in your dream suggests there is a lack of communication between your conscious and subconscious mind. It can also indicate a lack of maturity with respect to the opposite sex.

These dreams are common in stressful situations. A dream in which you’re falling but you don’t feel afraid can indicate you are overcoming your adversities. Feeling frightened while you’re falling can indicate insecurity and a lack of control or support. Falling backwards suggests that your are not ready to move forward with your life. If

A dream of beetles or other insects may be a sign that someone is “bugging” you,

The labyrinth is a typical archaic symbol that expresses the trials and tribulations of life that stand in the way of happiness. A labyrinth or maze conveys the dreamer is trying to get to the heart of some issue, perhaps some aspect of the dreamer’s personality. There is a need to deal with a task more directly so the situation doesn’t become even more difficult. The turns and dead ends of a maze may symbolize life’s twists and turns and represent confusion or indecision and feelings of being lost or misled. A similar dream involves getting lost in the streets of a strange city and feeling that there is no way to reach your destination. Those who find their way out of the labyrinth have succeeded in putting a difficult period behind them.

A dream about arriving late and missing out on something is an expression of fear about losing by missing an opportunity. Perhaps you feel as though you are not yet ready for something in your present circumstances or you do not deserve it. In your dream you may arrive somewhere after an event is over or reach the airport and find that your flight has already left. Perhaps you are having trouble making a decision and you have the feeling that time is running out for you to accomplish something. Nonetheless, it may still be a matter of better late than never.

Standing on the right or wrong platform of a rail or subway station suggests an inner conflict about whether or not it is wise to do something (like take time off from work for a vacation, or make a financial investment, for example). If you cross the railroad tracks it suggests you are going against plans someone else made for you. Dreaming of walking along railroad tracks suggests that you have completed a task that was laid out for you.

A skeleton in a dream rarely symbolizes a dead person. Rather, it’s often a sign that something is still in a state of development, such as the planning stages of a project. It can suggest a need to get to the bottom of a matter, or to understand oneself or a situation better. But a skeleton can also symbolize transformation and change. Seeing a person as a skeleton suggests the relationship with him or her is dead.

Spiders are symbols of entanglement or entrapment and may often refer to a clingy relationship. But they can also symbolize feminine power, like that of an overbearing mother. Dreaming about a dead spider suggests you have overcome a feminine temptation. A spider descending from the ceiling may convey you are caught up in a tricky relationship. Being bitten by a spider represents a conflict with a female figure.

If you dream about having an operation, you might be stuck in a helpless situation. During surgery, the patient is completely in the hands of another person. Perhaps you are under the influence of an authority figure who is making you act in a particular fashion. But surgery can also suggest a need for emotional healing. The most literal interpretation of this dream is that you are concerned about your health.

If you have a dream of walking through a swamp or sinking into the mud of a swamp, it is advisable to reconsider any of your recent endeavors that could lead to an adverse outcome. You are more likely to dream of being in a swamp when you’re feeling insecure. You may be sensing that disappointments and setbacks lie ahead in your professional sphere or love life. Perhaps you have created this situation yourself and have the feeling that you are no longer standing on solid ground.

A dream about teeth being loose or falling out is a sign that you lack self-confidence. More specifically, it can indicate a feeling of growing up, getting older, or no longer being attractive. Dreaming that a tooth is broken or knocked out suggests you have said the wrong thing and are concerned about the consequences. Dreaming about a painful tooth extraction suggests there is something you don’t want to do. But if pulling the tooth doesn’t hurt, perhaps the situation is less serious than you thought.

Threatening situations convey internalized fears of feeling oppressed or inadequate. Threats in dreams are usually directed at the dreamer. Do you feel as if self-reproach is justified? You should note the way you react in the dream. Perhaps you need to stick to your guns when someone tries to intimidate you. Threatening someone else in a dream suggests you feel a need to be more assertive and stand up for yourself.

A tidal wave in a dream usually happens without warning—perhaps you’re at the beach enjoying yourself when suddenly you see a monster wave approaching. A tidal wave in a dream suggests that a huge emotional issue is demanding your attention. Maybe you’ve repressed your emotions for too long. If you get swept away by a tidal wave, you may be ready for a new beginning in a different place. Tidal waves can symbolize the loss of old habits and the need to change your life.

Weapons are symbols of masculinity and aggression in a dream. They may indicate a need for either physical or emotional self-defense because of a conflict you’re experiencing. But holding a weapon also suggests a secret wish to hurt someone, which can be expressed safely in a dream. If the weapon is being used against you, ask yourself if you’ve offended someone.