One of the most powerful strategies when working
with a scary dream is to confront the monster in it. Today’s dreamer does so and gets dramatic
results, even if she doesn’t recognize them at first.
Dear Carolyn,
By way of background I’ll tell you that I just
attended a workshop in which we took personality assessments to learn aboutourselves. I tested as a sort of
unassuming, unassertive type who prefers to make herself invisible. It’s true.
I keep the real me a secret, rarely sharing or letting people get to
know me. I have always told myself that
I don’t matter, at least not as much as other people. That’s how I usually think, but I’m working
on it, trying to value myself more.
After the workshop I had this dream: I had a cobra in a small white bucket with a
lid on it. I decided to give it some
water and when I did, it began to grow, fast!
It became giant instantly! It was
huge, a monster! It began to chase me
and was determined to get me.
I was afraid, terrified, and so began to climb a
tree to get away from it; but I knew I could never be high enough to elude
it. Sure enough, it rose up next to me
in the top of the tree. I began to plead
with it, “Please don’t eat me!” It
shrank back down into the bucket. Then I
felt bad that it was there in such an unhealthy place, so tightly
contained. I knew I couldn’t give it to
anyone else since it was so dangerous. I
felt responsible for making it more comfortable and I thought maybe a larger
container would be a good idea.
Signed,
Chased by a Cobra
Dear Chased,
As indicated by the background you provided, your
dream likely is characterizing a part of you identified at the workshop you
attended. The quiet, unassuming part of
you countered by a cobra in a bucket.
With only a small encouragement – the water you offer – that part of you
rises up and takes on the quality of a monster unleashed. Your terror and flight suggest that you are
afraid of your own power. You beg it not
to consume you. This most likely
addresses your waking fear that if you assert yourself, you might be taken over
by a dangerous, angry, powerful part of yourself that you don’t know how to
control.
An important take-away from your dream is that when
you speak to the snake, it responds immediately. It tames itself and returns to the confines
of its bucket. You are in control, Dear
Dreamer, even when exploring unfamiliar aspects of your personality.
As your dream ends, you begin thinking of how
you can make that cobra, that powerful, assertive part of yourself, more
comfortable. Give it some more
room. Allow it to expand into a larger,
healthier container – one you can grow into and be comfortable with.
Sweet Dreams to You!
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