Even though no exact formulas for interpreting a dream, many psychological articles affirm common “universal or archetypal” dream symbolism. However, as we’ve stated before,

http://boomeryearbook.com/blog/2009/01/13/how-unique-dreams-and-their-symbolism-can-be/
general guidelines about dream symbolism can never adequately reflect any one person’s individualistic significance represented by a dream figure. For instance, while psychological articles may give a generic interpretation to seeing a black cat in a dream as a symbolic omen of bad luck, it would be absolutely incorrect to make that a universal archetype for “all” dreams. Additionally, while it would be incorrect to collectively interpret that anyone who dreams about a black cat has had some type of bad luck in their past or will have in their future, if the black cat in the particular dream was in some way foreboding or scary, what you can interpret, but with caution and not certainty, is that it is possible the person dreaming about a black cat may be experiencing anxiety or worrying that a particular situation may be doomed for a bad outcome. This would be an even more reasonable interpretation if the dreamer proclaimed to “being superstitious” and fearing black cats, as in this individual’s case, the archetype might indeed “fit” and be meaningful symbolism for the dreamer.

Psychological articles, such as the ones cited in previous Boomer Yearbook dream articles, suggest a few methods to aid in interpreting your own dreams, and report a higher incidence of psychological self awareness in persons who are able to unravel their dream imagery and its significance. For instance, in one psychological article on dream interpretation, Jane Teresa Anderson suggests that you can start by summarizing your dream in just one sentence, or as the famous dream researcher, Galye Delaney suggests, give your dream a one line title. Both authors recommend this one line dream summary as an excellent step in understanding your own dreams; explaining that even if your dream was long and complicated, try summarizing the part that you remember the most, or the most vivid visceral “feeling” you were experiencing in your dream as an aid in finding meaning and interpreting your dream.

After summarizing your dream in a one line sentence or title, psychological articles suggest the next step is to ask yourself how that sentence applies to your waking life. You may find that your dream title, “I had an extreme fear of a black cat crossing my path and bringing bad luck” is representative of your fear of something bad interfering with your relationship and causing a break-up. You may then realize that a relationship rupture or break up has been on your mind and your dream is painting you a vivid picture, in the form of the black cat, as a way for your subconscious to communicate with your conscious mind to alert you to your anxiety. Once you interpret your mind’s “alert signal” as presented in your dream, you are in a much better position to understand how you truly feel about the waking life situation and how you want to deal with it.

The more you practice this technique, the better you will become at utilizing it. Remember it is just one possible technique, but it may be the one that works for you!

At Boomer Yearbook we recommend you keep a dream journal, and record your dreams, or whatever fragments of your dreams that you remember, as soon as you awaken. You will find that with just a little practice, usually a few nights or one week’s time, that you will have better dream recall and greatly improved subjective psychological understanding of your dreams and their significance to your waking life.

Boomer Yearbook is a Psychological-Informational Social Network Website for Baby Boomers, Echo Boomers and Booming Seniors. Connect with old and new friends, or expand your mind and ward off senior moments and elderly problems with dream analysis and online optical illusions and brain games provided by clinical psychologist Dr. Karen Turner. Join now to discover the many ways this website for boomers can contribute to optimal physical and emotional wellness.