Dr. Dream: September 16, 2021
Your dreams, on the couch. Patriarchal prisons and an unwavering star.
“According to Jorge Luis Borges the most astonishing things about dreams is not their psychic function, the biological mechanism that undergirds them, or even their nature. But the simple fact that they exist at all.” –J.F. Martel
Dear Dr. Dream,
I was going to the prison named after my father to visit a woman with my last name. I thought she might be a cousin's wife, but did not know. I was signing in at the front entrance.
Pete
Dear Pete
This dream is short on a detailed narrative and focuses more on monikers and labels. Making it rather flat and two-dimensional. That you awoke (or the dream ended) with you signing in at the front office seems to indicate that you’re being given a choice. You can leave just your signature and then turn around and not enter the prison. Or you enter and fall under the dominion of your father and his confining nature. Dreams generally do not relate to good or bad choices, but more to generating a feeling free from judgment. Entering the prison you encounter a woman with your last name. Perhaps this indicates you are returning to a part of your nature that has felt exiled or censored. In that case signing your name is part of a ritual, a reminder of identity in preparation for what’s required in the meeting with the woman.
Love,
Dr. Dream
Dear Dr. Dream
In my dream my good friend and I are at a carwash, waiting outside for my car to appear on the exit ramp of the wash. But it never arrives. We keep waiting for my car and then finally I go to find the manager of the car wash to ask him what’s happened to my vehicle. And he says to me: “Lady, didn’t you see what all the commotion was about earlier? A little boy got into your car and drove away in the opposite direction.” I was so shocked I woke up from the dream instantly. What do you make of this?
Fran M.
Dear Fran,
Cars often represent the manner in which we motor or maneuver our way through life — but in a very public way. Unlike clothing, which is a much more personal expression of our self-image, cars can symbolize how we strategize to get ahead, how we attempt to reach our goals directly, moving from Point A to Point B. Because a small child took over your vehicle in your narrative — and ended up taking off in the “opposite direction,” it’s probably a good time to rethink how you’re formulating your goals — the paths you’ve been following. The dream seems to suggest that you “wash away” your old efforts and return to the start of your course to try out a new direction or approach — which is what children often indicate in our dreams — new beginnings, new ways of considering options.
Love,
Dr. Dream
Dear Dr. Dream,
Recently I dreamed that I was alone on a beach but could see a very bright white star hanging over the horizon. Although time passed, the star never wavered or set. When my alarm went off for work I awoke with a deep sense of peace and joy.
Rachel R.
Dear Rachel,
The simplicity of your dream is lovely, and no less potent for it. Horizons and shorelines often mark a willingness to reconsider the entirety of one’s circumstances — be that a job, relationship, or puzzling predicament. When we are moving about on land we have the option of going any direction we choose, but when we arrive at the ocean we pause, having reached an ‘end’ of some sort. Often we arrive in awe of the grandeur of nature. This could indicate a sort of time-out for you. The unwavering star marks your dedication to seeing and exploring the unknown, to remain open to a revelation or new insight. That the star is constant in the sky indicates that a silent sort of spiritual guidance could be leading the way.
Love,
Dr. Dream
Dr. Dream is a regular feature for paid subscribers to WOODRUFF. This preview is a courtesy post for the curious and uncertain. For more detailed information about Dr. Dream and dreams in general see this post.
Damn you are good. Was troubled by a series of dreams one night, substantively benign, very disturbed on awakening. The common element: attitudes of judgment, through other players but naturally all me. Thank you. Very helpful! You are always worth reading: succinct and wise.
"Dreams generally do not relate to good or bad choices, but more to generating a feeling free from judgment."