“Water” in the dream world is most often an archetypal image for feeling and emotion.
To dream of an approaching tidal wave usually indicates an apprehension about the emotions that are welling up inside of the dreamer– he or she fears being overwhelmed, or “drowning” in the feelings and being unable to think or act rationally.
Again, the irony is that if the tidal wave dream is remembered in the first place, it means that the dreamer can deal with the full impact of the emotions.
The first step is to acknowledge the full weight and force of these feelings.(Source: Jeremy Taylor)
I have heard this explanation often and yes, can partly accept it. But I don’t necessarily think it can be assumed that because someone sees something they are equipped to deal with the ‘full impact’, otherwise why would it be showing up in the dream anyway? As a protection mechanism maybe?
I also think tidal waves are archetypal images of the unconscious, not just emotion. I get the impression also that ’emotion’ is the dirty word here, as though it has no purpose and therefore only needs controlling, which of course it does but……like ‘imagination’ which is also often a dirty word in a science-oriented world, emotion can be the best indicator or what is really going on sometimes.
I think it is fairly standard among dream workers, particularly thoughts with a Jungian bent, to believe that the Unconscious presents material in dreams that the dreamer is ready (or needs to) deal with. Like you, I am not sure this is always the case.
Jeremy Taylor, by the way, likes to make absolutist statements, such as “All dreams are in the service of health and healing.”
Knowing Jeremy’s background, however (He used to run dream groups at San Quentin), I don’t think he sees emotions as a dirty word but instead would emphasize their importance.
Do you think us surfer types are symbolically surfing our emotions…?
Quite possibly! And behind that I still push my theory that the ocean is the unconscious and also the mother archetype which is re-emerging in consciousness, ie the feminine, hence just about everyone on the planet wants to go surfing! Maybe not, but even cultures that didn’t traditionally go in the sea, like the Balinese because it was evil, can’t hold back their young folk from returning to it in droves. My guess it is a completion of a cycle – from the sea came life, back into the sea we all go. We have gone full circle, which is why I would not be surprised to see irrevocable consequences for the human species.
I don’t know anyone who dreams about tornadoes, so I am wondering if it is more specific to places that experience them. We don’t get them very often here in Oz.
What? No tornadoes in Australia? I suppose you don’t have any active volcanoes there either. Good thing you have tidal waves and typhoons and earthquakes for your dreams to use as symbols…
michelle
14 years agoI have heard this explanation often and yes, can partly accept it. But I don’t necessarily think it can be assumed that because someone sees something they are equipped to deal with the ‘full impact’, otherwise why would it be showing up in the dream anyway? As a protection mechanism maybe?
I also think tidal waves are archetypal images of the unconscious, not just emotion. I get the impression also that ’emotion’ is the dirty word here, as though it has no purpose and therefore only needs controlling, which of course it does but……like ‘imagination’ which is also often a dirty word in a science-oriented world, emotion can be the best indicator or what is really going on sometimes.
Stephen Parker, Ph.D. (Article Selection, Commentary)
14 years agoMichelle
I think it is fairly standard among dream workers, particularly thoughts with a Jungian bent, to believe that the Unconscious presents material in dreams that the dreamer is ready (or needs to) deal with. Like you, I am not sure this is always the case.
Jeremy Taylor, by the way, likes to make absolutist statements, such as “All dreams are in the service of health and healing.”
Knowing Jeremy’s background, however (He used to run dream groups at San Quentin), I don’t think he sees emotions as a dirty word but instead would emphasize their importance.
Do you think us surfer types are symbolically surfing our emotions…?
michelle
14 years agoQuite possibly! And behind that I still push my theory that the ocean is the unconscious and also the mother archetype which is re-emerging in consciousness, ie the feminine, hence just about everyone on the planet wants to go surfing! Maybe not, but even cultures that didn’t traditionally go in the sea, like the Balinese because it was evil, can’t hold back their young folk from returning to it in droves. My guess it is a completion of a cycle – from the sea came life, back into the sea we all go. We have gone full circle, which is why I would not be surprised to see irrevocable consequences for the human species.
I don’t know anyone who dreams about tornadoes, so I am wondering if it is more specific to places that experience them. We don’t get them very often here in Oz.
Stephen Parker, Ph.D. (Article Selection, Commentary)
14 years agoWhat? No tornadoes in Australia? I suppose you don’t have any active volcanoes there either. Good thing you have tidal waves and typhoons and earthquakes for your dreams to use as symbols…