Oh, wow, I could have a field day with these. Will come back later after I've thought some and have a chance to type.

I just remembered ANOTHER one where I was wandering around and found some broccoli growing wild. I was excited then realized it wasn't actually broccoli but some kind of wild relative??

Yeah, those are some serious dreams! My brain is full of wool right now, so I cannot think of anything clever to say other than I wondered whether the baby represented you and having to take care of yourself on lots of different levels.

quote:

I can't wait to see what HIC says

You flatter me, my dear.

Okay, I have the bones of a theory going, but first a couple questions for you, BLT.

Do you have any particular thoughts and associations about the nail polish? Is it something you generally wear? Why or why not?

Also, broccoli. Like it or hate it? How about as a kid?

quote:

Do you have any particular thoughts and associations about the nail polish? Is it something you generally wear? Why or why not?

Also, broccoli. Like it or hate it? How about as a kid?

I don't usually wear nail polish as I don't like how it smells and feels. But I used to wear some on my toenails when I was younger and I guess I associate that with my teenage self. My T also usually paints her toenails in the summer.

I do like broccoli, a lot, but I wasn't a huge fan as a kid.

Hmm, well my orienting idea is that these dreams are about shame and integration.

To illustrate:

When I first read the first dream, I was reminded of Lady Macbeth compulsively washing her hands because she thought there was blood on them. I am not suggesting you have killed anyone. But I thought maybe it was a stand in for shame of some kind, having it on your hands and then spilling it on your T’s carpet, wanting to clean it up, wanting to hide it. . .

Then when I got to the fourth dream I started thinking about Mary Magdalene-- traditionally a prostitute (so, scarlet woman? maybe a link there with the painted nails? although that may be stretching things a bit ). Anyway, you have an image of a “fallen” woman possibly being “married off” to Christ.

I thought Christ might be a symbol of Self in IFS speak (or the image of God within you in Christian terminology). So maybe there is a part represented by Mary Magdalen-nailpolish (perhaps a cluster of stereotypically feminine traits that you’ve been shamed for or rejecting of) that you are working towards integrating into your larger Self, as pictured by Christ in dream 4 and the relationship with your T in dream 1.

Spiritual and psychological contexts seem to perform a similar function in the dreams. Ts office and the book on the NT both providing a potential (unrealized in the dream) space for the integration of shamed parts. So maybe it’s all one, spiritual and psychological growth? Or at least, related. The swapping around of wedding officiants (traditionally a religious role) with therapists in dream 2 could also be reflective of that unity of purpose. Even the broccoli could be another image of that link-- not real broccoli but a relative of brocolli growing wild (brocolli makes you grow!) lol.

Okay, so, that is just me playing with your dream. Obviously there are a lot of elements I didn’t even touch on, and I’m sure one could go much deeper with it or take it in entirely different directions. Not that I don’t think there’s a certain elegance to my interpretations, but of course the real truth of it is what’s true for you since you dreamed it. This was just for fun, but would be interested in what you think.

(((BLT))))

Cool dreams! Were they all from the same night?

(((HIC)))

What awesome interpretations. It's clear you've done much reading on the subject. I especially loved the comparisons with Lady Macbeth and Mary Magdalen.

Thanks Liese! One thing I strongly believe is that everyone should read Macbeth on a regular basis. I struggle with consistency in this as much as anyone else, but as with so many other things, having a supportive T helps.

HIC, I am sorry I didn't respond earlier. I really like your interpretations. They are much more creative than anything I would have come up with. If I had to interpret myself I might say those dreams are about my connection with different aspects of myself...the teenage part (the nail polish part), the dependent part (the baby), and the adult sexual part (as Mary Magdalene). The part about the couples session...I'm not sure about. But thank you for putting so much thought into it. I like that it gave a positive interpretation on the idea of me integrating shamed parts :-)