The technical term used for the art and practice of divination by dreams is "oneiromancy."
Dreams come in many forms, some of which include "message" dreams in which the subconscious attempts to convey a message, "memory" dreams in which the consciousness attempts to rehash or correct a past mistake, "repetitive" dreams in which the conscious mind insists on reliving an event over and over, nightmares or distorted imagery which are often caused by environmental pressures or physical ailment; Dreams which are caused by suppressed emotions; out-of-body (astral Projection) prophetic dreams which are vivid dreams pertaining to future events that come true.
A significant number of dreams are prophetic in nature - three nights in a row especially. Prophetic dreams can reveal the future.
When sacred or transcendental images appear in a dream, it is called a "high dream."
Telepathic dreams (ESP dreams)are experiences by which the dreamer picks up thought energies from
another person or entity, regardless of location or bilocation, and generally pertains to events of the present.
Psychic dreams are dreams which can contain important messages, warnings and other
communications - often so strong and profound that it awakens the dreamer from their sleep. These dreams are
often mistaken for Telepathic Dreams, and likewise TD's are often mistaken for PD's, as it is difficult at times
to determine whether the information is coming from your own mind, or an outside source, especially when dreaming.
Lucid dreaming is a term which is applied when a sleeping person who is in the dream state is
consciously aware that s/he is dreaming.
To dream about the future, gather a mistletoe sprig on St. John's [MidSummer's] Eve and place it under pillow before bed. Of course, it must be enchanted, as does the dreamer.
To experience prophetic dreams, pick a red rose during early morning hours of Midsummer Day and fumigate it for five minutes over a brazier of burning sulfur and brimstone. On a piece of parchment write your name and your lover's. Wrap the rose in the parchment, seal it thrice with wax, and then bury it in same spot where the rose was picked. On midnight of the sixth day of the 7th month, dig up the rose and sleep with it under your pillow for three nights in a row.
To see future spouse - stick 9 pins into the blade bone [shoulder blade] of a hare and place it under your pillow on a night when the moon is full.
To receive a dream of future spouse, place 2 laurel leaves under your pillow on St. Valentine's Day before you go to bed.
On a night of full moon, place under your pillow the tarot card known as the Lovers to induce
prophetic dreams about a future lover.
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To dream of a future husband, sleep with a petticoat, garter, daisy roots, an onion or a piece of wedding cake under your head. Tie a poplar branch to your stockings or socks and place them under your pillow, or rub your temples with a few drops of Dove's blood before going to sleep.
To dream of a future marriage mate, gather ten ivy leaves in silence on Samhain night. Throw away one of the leaves and place the remaining ones under your pillow before bed.
To dream of your future spouse, collect 9 leaves of a "female" holly at the stroke of midnight on a Friday (ruled by Venus). Place the leaves in a 3-cornered handkerchief tied with 9 knots and place the charm under your pillow before going to sleep. (This charm will not work if you speak any words before sunrise.)
Pick some wild yarrow from a graveyard and place it under your pillow at night before going to sleep and your lover will appear before you in a dream.
Herbs of Dream Magick
Adder's tongue, agrimony, anise, camphor, celandine (lesser), cinnamon, daisy, holly, hops, lemon verbena, mandrake root, marigold, mistletoe, mugwort, onion, peppermint, purslane, rose, St. John's Wort, Vervain, Verbena, wormwood, & yarrow.
Interpreting Dreams
(The Following is from the Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland)
First of all, examine the dream to see if it fits any of the events of the preceeding day. This will
explain a few of your dreams. If this fails...
Determine whether the dream is literal or symbolic. Literal - one in which the main dream characteer
or image is a real person or thing in your life, or on your mind, at the time. If this makes sense, you
may have found the key...if fails, obvisiously...
Symbolic - one in which the dream chartacter and images can not be taken literally. As a real person or thing. Then the image is that of an "aspect" of you, the dreamer. Then the ancient wisdom of the Universal Symbols should be applied.
Recurring dreams one of the following (generally,)
- a. Precognitive or prophetic
- b. Compensation for an improper attitude
- c. The result of a traumatic incident which had left a negative impression
OOBE - awareness is all-encompasing, you see in front and behind, above and below and on the sides all at the same time. Do not attempt to interpret an OOBE as you would a dream.
DreamPillows
By DJ ConwayEvery ordinary person dreams when they sleep. Scientists have discovered that if we do not dream, because of the use of drugs or sleep-deprivation for example, we can become disoriented, distracted, and even nearly schizophrenic during our waking time. Dreaming appears to be essential to a healthy mind.
Dreams are the subconscious mind's way of communicating with the conscious mind. As the subconscious mind uses svmbols instead of words to communicate, dreams are generally symbolic of something. The subconscious mind uses metaphors, sometimes in the wildest possible way, to get our attention.
If the subconscious mind feels that we cannot emotionally endure being shown troubling parts of a problem, it will often symbolically present part of the action but delete the toughest parts. When we accept the first actions we are shown in dreams, then the dream will later expand to include the rest.
Dreams can provide answers. By thinking about a certain thing you want solved just before you go to sleep, you program your subconscious mind to send up solutions.
The images and actions in dreams are tailored to each individual by her/his own subconscious mind. That is why so few dream books are any help at all. By recording your dreams, you will begin to see a pattern in the symbolic images and form your own interpretations. However, there are a few symbols which appear to be universal in interpretation. For example, mud and manure represent money or prosperity.
Making dream pillows for specific purposes is an excellent way to make your subconscious mind work with you on problem-solving, prophecy, etc. Dream pillows will also help when you are troubled by nightmares.
Traditionally, certain herbs and oils are used for specific purposes. The following lists of herbs and oils will help you decide which you want in your personal dream pillow. DO NOT ingest herbs and oils!
OILS
- BERGAMOT: (not the mint kind!) soothes the nerves, gives relaxing sleep.
- HYACINTH: stops nightmares.
- JASMINE: helps increase psychic dreams, lifts depression, quiets the nerves; is calming.
- LAVENDER: relaxing deep sleep.
- LILAC: recalling past lives.
- MIMOSA: prophetic dreams; getting to the truth; making decisions.
HERBS
- ANGELICA : prophetic dreams and visions.
- ANISE: use just a little to repel nightmares.
- BAY LAUREL: inspiration; repels negativity.
- CEDAR: helps to repel bad dreams.
- CLOVES: use just a tiny amount because of the strong odor. Retrieving buried memories.
- HOPS: restful sleep and healing.
- MARJORAM: relieves depression.
- MUGWORT: visions and prophetic dreams.
- MULLEIN: repels bad dreams.
- ROSEMARY: use just a little as it is very strongly scented. Avoid nightmares and headaches.
- ST. JOHNS WORT: banishes spirits.
- VALERIAN: deep rest. Some cats love this herb as much as catnip so keep it out of their reach!
The supplies you will need to create a dream pillow are: a piece of plain or muslin cloth; a piece of fancy cloth or of a material you can decorate; your choice of herbs and oils; an eye-dropper; wooden or glass bowl; wooden spoon. It is never good to mix herbs and oils with or in anything metal!
Before beginning the dream pillow, decide what you will be using it for: to repel bad dreams, strengthen your prophetic abilities, rest and healing, etc. Choose your herbs and oils according to the pillow's use.
To make a dream pillow, cut out two pieces of muslin or plain cloth to hold the herbs. These pieces of muslin should each be 12" by 8". With the wrong sides of the material (if there are any) together, stitch down the 8 inch side to the depth of 3/4"; stitch the same depth across one 12" end and across the other 8" side. Three sides of the fabric should be sew. Turn this little bag inside out so the seams are now on the inside. This is the "inner pillow" in which you will put your herbal mixture.
Using fancier material, or a cloth you can paint or embroider, cut two more pieces of material 12 inches by 8 inches. Stitch them the same as the "inner pillow" except sew only to a depth of 3/8 inch. As wi0th the inner pillow, turn it so the seams are on the inside. If you wish embroider it in any design or decorate it with fabric paints. If you plan to make this cover removable for washing, turn down a small hem on the open end and attach small Velcro disks or snaps to keep it closed.
In a large wooden or glass bowl, mix together the herbs you have chosen with a wooden spoon. This is done gently, rather Iike tossing a salad. With the eye-dropper, add the chosen oils to the herbs. Use no more than a total of 5-6 drops at a time until you reach a strength to your taste. Remember, what smells nice standing over the bowl may well be too strong when you sleep on the pillow, so use restraint.
Fill your "inner pillow" with the herbal mixture. Don't pack it full or it will be uncomfortable to sleep on. Leave it a little flat. Turn in a little of the open end so the raw edges are inside, then sew this end shut. Slide this inside your decorated cover, attach the fasteners, and you are ready for sweet dreams.
Keeping A Dream Journal
The following list was gathered from various sources. These are questions to ask yourself, basically an outline for entries in a dream journal. It's likely that not every question will apply to all dreams.
How am I, the dream ego, acting in this dream? (Aggressive, assertive, passive, active, etc...)What are the various feelings/emotions in the dream? (Both "mine" and those of other characters...)
What is the context of the dream? (What is going on in my life right now?)
In the dream, who are the main characters?
Who (or what) is the adversary?
Who (or what) is being wounded?
Who (or what) is being healed?
Who (or what) is my companion?
Did I dream of actual people, or imaginary people?
Could the characters all be different aspects of myself?
What are the outstanding features or symbols in the dream? (For example: flood, animals, house, etc.)
How might these features relate to me, my emotions, or my personality?
How does the dream as a whole relate to my personality?
What are the main actions in the dream?
What would I like to avoid in the dream?
What actions might it be suggesting that I consider?
Does the dream trigger any memories?
Do any of the elements of the dream relate to my current past?
Why might this part of my past be called to my attention now?
Does the dream trigger any further questions?
Why did I need this dream?
What is its positive message for me?
Was the dream more physical, or emotional?
What age was I in the dream?
Was the dream in color, or black and white?
Was I my present self in the dream, or someone else?
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FRIENDLY VERSION OF THIS JOURNAL!
Now, you must fit together the answers to these questions, and decide how they imply to you.
If you don't know, that's alright. Keep writing down as much as you can remember, and perhaps
later, you will see a pattern.
Either way, Pleasant Dreams!
