Understanding Dreams and the Wonders of Memories

Dreams have long been a window into our subconscious, revealing the intricate tapestry of our experiences, emotions, and memories. The wonders of memories in dreams reflect not just our past, but also our current state of mind and our aspirations. In this exploration, we will delve into how dreams about memories can serve as powerful reminders of what we value most in our lives.

They can provide insights into our feelings of nostalgia, regrets, and joys, often pushing us to confront or embrace parts of ourselves. Through understanding these dreams, we can cultivate personal growth, heal from past wounds, and celebrate the moments that have shaped us. Memories, whether joyful or painful, shape our identity, and their representation in our dreams can be transformative.

Let us embark on this enlightening journey into the realm of dreams and memories.

• Dreams of memories often reflect unresolved feelings or experiences.
• They can serve as a reminder to cherish or learn from the past.
• Different symbols in these dreams can guide personal growth.
• Memories in dreams highlight our emotional health and self-awareness.

Symbols

• wonders
  • Attrition:

    (Anxiety; Perturbation; Uneasiness) Worries in a dream mean regret, repentance, blaming oneself, attrition and remorse.

  • Remorse:

    (Anxiety; Perturbation; Uneasiness) Worries in a dream mean regret, repentance, blaming oneself, attrition and remorse.

  • Uneasiness:

    (Anxiety; Perturbation; Uneasiness) Worries in a dream mean regret, repentance, blaming oneself, attrition and remorse.

• memories
  • Captivated:

    Feeling captivated by something in a dream represents one’s love for money and wanting to amass the wealth of the entire world if he could. If one is fond of his own hair or ties, or if he sees himself as a collector of fine ties in the dream, it means that he is a professional business person who amasses large sums of money.

  • Paintings:

    (Art; Picture; Portrait) In a dream, paintings represent memories, guidance, or advice. Paintings in a dream also denote the passing of time, advancing of years, or the days of one’s life. As for an immigrant, paintings in his dream mean reunion with his family, beloved, or commanding good and forbidding evil.

  • Spikes:

    (Fishbones) DICTIONARY OF DREAMS 405

• recollections
  • Heedful angels:

    (Angels; Spiritual) Representing the heedful angels in charge of guarding the writings of the Preserved Tablets, and the heavenly beings or scribes in charge of recording peoples’ deeds. In a dream, the blessed angels in charge of keeping peoples’ records represent the gnostics, the renowned people of knowledge, religious scholars and the trustworthy ones. Seeing the scribes of the records in one’s dream brings him glad tidings in this life and in the next.

    If the person lives a pious life, it means that the heavenly paradise is his final abode, but if he is impious, it could represent a clear warning. Meeting the blessed angels in charge of keeping peoples’ records in a dream also means facing adversities, then becoming free from one’s trials.

  • Notebook:

    (Records) In a dream, a notebook means managing one’s expenses, or remembering the past. A notebooks in a dream also represents an estate, a treasure chest, benefits, profits, distress, burdens, or bad comments. If an unemployed person sees a notebook in his dream, it means that he will find work.

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  • Requital:

    (Retaliation; Retribution) In a dream, requital means longevity, departure from one’s past, or it could mean instituting justice, or performing penance that will purify the person from his sins, such as prayers, voluntary fasting and alms giving.

• marvels
  • Outer:

    (Manifest)

  • Candor:

    (Candor; Eagle; Enemy; Evil; Imbecile; Thieves) A vulture in a dream represents a stupid, abominable and a lewd person. When seen during a daylight dream, it means a grievous illness. If one sees a vulture inside his house in a dream, it means sending help to assist someone in difficulty.

    Capturing a vulture in a dream means a fight or war. A flock of vultures descending upon a town in a dream represent an occupying army with merciless soldiers who will plunder such town. If a sick person sees a vulture inside his house in a dream, it means the approach of his death.

    As for a tanner and a potter, or the like craftsmen, seeing a vulture in a dream means profits or benefits. As for physicians or sick people, a vulture in their dream purports evil. In general, vultures in a dream represent highway robbers, a band of thieves who are not residents of that town, people who refuse to earn their livelihood through honest work, or it could represent an undertaker, a body snatcher, a grave digger, or a lewd and an insulting person.

  • Black magic:

    (Conjuring; Jugglery; Tricks) In a dream, magic arts mean deceit, pride, artificiality and temptations. To learn about sorcery, or black magic, or about similar arts in a dream means innovation and heedlessness. (Also Ma¬ gician; Sorcery; Spit out)

• miracles
  • Benediction:

    (Benediction; Grace; Light) In a dream, blessings represent one’s life, hearing, sight, good health, wealth, good qualities, contentment, gratitude, faith, guidance, submission to God Almighty, obedience to one’s parents, having obedient children, having a husband or a wife, children, lineage, friends, love, compassion, happiness, comfort, endowments, attainments, success, provi¬ sions, knowledge, wisdom, balance, intelligence, clarity, truthfulness, work, strength, peace in the land, safety, protection, a just ruler, rain or they could mean a good crop, etcetera. (Also see Enemy; Introduction page xxvi.)

  • Grace:

    (Benediction; Grace; Light) In a dream, blessings represent one’s life, hearing, sight, good health, wealth, good qualities, contentment, gratitude, faith, guidance, submission to God Almighty, obedience to one’s parents, having obedient children, having a husband or a wife, children, lineage, friends, love, compassion, happiness, comfort, endowments, attainments, success, provi¬ sions, knowledge, wisdom, balance, intelligence, clarity, truthfulness, work, strength, peace in the land, safety, protection, a just ruler, rain or they could mean a good crop, etcetera. (Also see Enemy; Introduction page xxvi.)

  • Black magic:

    (Conjuring; Jugglery; Tricks) In a dream, magic arts mean deceit, pride, artificiality and temptations. To learn about sorcery, or black magic, or about similar arts in a dream means innovation and heedlessness. (Also Ma¬ gician; Sorcery; Spit out)

• reminiscences
  • Requital:

    (Retaliation; Retribution) In a dream, requital means longevity, departure from one’s past, or it could mean instituting justice, or performing penance that will purify the person from his sins, such as prayers, voluntary fasting and alms giving.

  • Mourning the dead:

    (Mourning; Wailing; Yowling) Lamenting and desiring something in a dream connotes evil. Lamentation in a dream also represents a preacher or it could represent a putrid odor that comes from opening the door of a filthy lavatory. Lamentation in a dream also represents dogs’yowling, drum beating, the ringing sound of cymbals, or it could mean a wedding.

    Sitting in a place where people are lamenting and mourning their dead in a dream means that an ominous evil may take place in that locality, or perhaps it could mean separation between families and friends. If one sees himself mourning a deceased person in a dream, it means that harm will come to him from the descendents or family of the departed person. Lamenting with great pain and sorrow and mourning over a deceased person in a dream also means waking up to a great joy and happiness.

    Lamenting in a dream also means adversities which are driven by the person who is lamenting. It also means going astray, or it could denote a flute, as the flute denotes lamenting in a dream. Lamenting in a dream also represents the work of ignorance.

  • Wailing:

    (Mourning; Wailing; Yowling) Lamenting and desiring something in a dream connotes evil. Lamentation in a dream also represents a preacher or it could represent a putrid odor that comes from opening the door of a filthy lavatory. Lamentation in a dream also represents dogs’yowling, drum beating, the ringing sound of cymbals, or it could mean a wedding.

    Sitting in a place where people are lamenting and mourning their dead in a dream means that an ominous evil may take place in that locality, or perhaps it could mean separation between families and friends. If one sees himself mourning a deceased person in a dream, it means that harm will come to him from the descendents or family of the departed person. Lamenting with great pain and sorrow and mourning over a deceased person in a dream also means waking up to a great joy and happiness.

    Lamenting in a dream also means adversities which are driven by the person who is lamenting. It also means going astray, or it could denote a flute, as the flute denotes lamenting in a dream. Lamenting in a dream also represents the work of ignorance.

Practical Insights for Reflecting on Memories in Dreams

• Keep a Dream Journal

  Start recording your dreams immediately upon waking. Include details about the memories or people involved, the emotions you felt, and any significant symbols. Over time, patterns may emerge that offer deeper insights into your subconscious reflections.

  This practice not only helps improve your dream recall but also allows you to connect the dots between your waking life and your dreams, facilitating personal growth and emotional healing.

• Practice Mindfulness

  Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your daily routine. Engaging in meditation or simply spending quiet time in reflection can help you become more aware of your emotions and memories. This awareness can later influence your dreams, allowing you to confront or celebrate aspects of your life that need attention or appreciation.

  Mindfulness also helps in grounding yourself, making it easier to decipher the nuanced messages your dreams may be conveying.

• Engage in Conversations About Memories

  Discuss your dreams and the memories they evoke with close friends or family members. Sharing your insights can help validate your thoughts and feelings. These conversations may lead to collective reminiscing, which deepens connections and brings forward shared experiences.

  It can also provide new perspectives on what certain memories mean to both you and your loved ones, enriching your understanding of yourself and the past.

• Create Visual Representations of Your Memories

  Consider crafting a visual representation of your cherished memories, such as a scrapbook or a vision board. This creative approach solidifies the emotional impact of your memories and provides a tangible reminder of the positive experiences. When you reflect on these visual cues, it might inspire even richer dreams, allowing you to explore these treasured memories further in your sleep.

• Seek Professional Insight

  If you find that your dreams are consistently troubled by negative memories or feelings, it may be worthwhile to speak with a professional therapist or counselor. They can assist in interpreting your dreams within the context of your emotional life, helping you to navigate past traumas or unresolved issues. Such guidance can lead you toward healing and a more profound understanding of your personal narrative.

FAQs

• What do dreams about memories usually signify?

  Dreams involving memories often reflect our subconscious processing of past experiences and emotions. They might signify nostalgia, unresolved feelings, or lessons learned from your past. These dreams serve as opportunities for self-reflection, allowing us to gain insights about our current emotional state or to help us come to terms with certain aspects of our lives.

• Why do some memories appear in dreams while others don't?

  Not all memories appear in our dreams due to the brain's filtering process. Typically, deeper emotions or significant life events tend to resurface more frequently because they left a lasting impact on our feelings or identity. Dreams prioritize emotional salience, so memories tied to strong feelings, whether positive or negative, are more likely to manifest in our dreams.

• How can I interpret my dreams about memories?

  Interpreting dreams about memories involves analyzing the symbols, emotions, and themes present in the dream. It might be helpful to assess your feelings during the dream and upon waking. Journaling can assist in identifying patterns or recurring elements that carry personal significance. Additionally, consulting trusted dream interpretation resources, like those of Ibni Sirin, may provide cultural and spiritual insights.

• Can dreams help me heal from past traumas?

  Yes, dreams can serve as a healing tool for addressing past traumas. They often allow us to confront unresolved issues in a safe environment. By advocating for self-awareness and reflection, dreams can highlight areas we need to confront and encourage emotional processing, ultimately aiding in healing and personal growth.

• What should I do if a recurring memory appears in my dreams?

  If you notice a particular memory recurring in your dreams, it might indicate unresolved feelings associated with that memory. Consider reflecting on the emotions tied to it in your waking life. Engaging in practices like journaling, therapy, or meditation can help you process those feelings and understand their significance, ultimately aiding your emotional well-being.

References

• Ibni Sirin’s Dream Interpretation Library
• Tafsir al-Dreams by Ibn Sirin
• Psychology of Dreaming: The Role of Memories