Samhain 2009 (2)

DREAMTIME IN OUR BODIES ©
by Lady Raven Ariana

Samhain brings us to the North West quadrant of the Wheel of the year and qualities concerning both these directions become easier to access. This year’s November in my region is seeing mild weather, thunderstorms, and rain. We have been trading sunny days with trees dressed in beautiful fall colours with cooler days/nights of rain and thunder. I live over four thousand feet above ocean level, over the ancient sea floor of what was known as Lake Bonneville. My house resides directly above the Wasatch fault on the first foothills that lead to the Rocky Mountain range. We are also part of the Yellowstone caldera, a geo-thermal hot spot caused by the volcanic activity that takes place when tectonic plates collide.

Earth, Water, Fire, and Air are all very active where I reside. My home is situated next to the natural outlet of a canyon and next to two different riparian corridors, coming from two different canyons. Though this is part of the “big city” the Elements are close at hand. Canyon winds come down my way and thunderstorms are active at different times of the year. We even get the rare tornado or two, and an occasional waterspout in one of the remnants of old Lake Bonneville, the Great Salt Lake. If I desire a spiritually active island spot, I visit Antelope Island. Most of us fear the shift of the Wasatch Fault and what could happen if “The Great Earthquake” tumbles our world.

For me the element North includes land, our physical selves, our homes, the location where we live, and the Spell of Change, “To Be Silent”. West is the realm of the Ancestors, the gate to other realms, dreaming, our emotional bodies, and the Spell of Change, “To Know”. Combined these two Elements bring a perfect opportunity to work with our Ancestors, begin or deepen dream work, and examine our relationships to our families and homes.

Dream work is a process using tools like journaling, or the recording of our dreams. Dream recording is best done right after awakening. It is common to leave a dream journal and pen next to our place of sleep. Further dream work consists of looking at the patterns of our dreams and trying to understand what our dreams are trying to tell us. This happens as a function of dream recording then reviewing our journals over time. Some people even look at symbolic interpretations of their dreams via archetypes and cultural/personal symbols.

Some people don’t remember their dreams and must begin a practice that encourages their abilities to retain dreams after they awaken from sleep. This might mean using meditation practices, setting an active intention before bed to prompt memory, ingesting herbal teas before sleep, or other tools that help the dreamer access and remember their dreams.

Dreams happen in our physical selves and reflect our hopes, fears, aspirations, familial relationships, spiritual promptings, the processing of events, and other information in our sub consciousness. Dreams can also predict a future, issue warnings, and offer instruction from our Spiritual Guides and Ancestors. Dreaming is extremely personal and must be personally recorded and examined to determine patterns and what our dreams are telling each of us. This means that “dream interpretation” only goes so far. What one dream element says to one person might be different for another. There is no substitute for personally working with one’s own dreams. Dreaming, along with her sister, Journey, are very potent tools for any shaman’s ability to positively affect her/his own life and the lives of others.

Here is a recent dream I have had. It won’t mean much to most of you, but it communicates to me.

I am at a cat show in a hotel where our show has been given a tiny space that does not allow set up of our cats and the judging of our cats. I’m there with two cat friends and others that I know from the world of cat shows. Folks are complaining that there is no place to set up their cats’ places, let alone where will all the judges actually examine and compare all of the cats (I am leaving out cat show terminology for you all}. I’m trying to help out and ease peoples’ fear and anger. I suggest that we talk to the hotel management and get this straightened out quickly before more exhibitors arrive. Everyone is extremely anxious. I try and lighten the mood and suggest that since it is close to Halloween we could wear our cats on our heads and call them “fright wigs”. Everyone laughs at this silliness and I awaken when my Savannah Cat starts twitching in his sleep at my feet.

Though this silly dream is beyond many peoples’ ability to interpret, I used it as guidance. I talked to both of the “cat friends” from my dream to share the silliness of the ‘fright wigs”. Friend number 1 has a husband dying from cancer. She had been having a bad week. When I shared this dream she laughed then unburdened herself. Friend number 2 called me this afternoon to update me on an upcoming move that had to do with her own cats. I shared the dream and she also laughed and this lead to more sharing. These interactions provided opportunity for support and potential healing.

Dreams are often surreal, bizarre, evoke extreme emotion, or seem to make no sense at all. This is why it is very important to work with them in a dedicated fashion. Your dreams can be one of the most transformational tools available and can help you work with those parts that you hide from yourself, the parts sometimes known as “the shadow”. Learning about one’s “shadow” is called shadow work and needs an article dedicated all to itself. Perhaps for the next issue of “Earrthsongs”, Bride will shine her light and a “shadow” article might be forthcoming.

In the meantime, start keeping a dream journal. Record your dreams or begin the work to remember them. If you are a “wounded healer” like many of us here, you will find your dreams disturbing but a powerful helper. Check into the geography where you live and compare it with your own spiritual work. If you need inspiration or prompting, journey to your spiritual guides and ask for help. Call on the Ancestors to aid you in navigating this darkening time of the year.

In the more Northern Hemisphere we are moving towards the Longest Night. Mystery cloaks herself in darkness, while our dreams bring us an opportunity for our deepening understanding. As the trees paint, then shed their Autumn leaves, we can look at our hibernating brother/sister plant and animals then take in the lessons shared. Rest, look deep within our dreaming, replenish, and be ready for the next lessons and seasons to come.

Blessed Be!