1- The image of a journey is a very- potent one in dream work. Anytime the idea of a journey becomes apparent, it is to do with the way that we carry on our everyday lives and how we move forward. Every step that we take towards understanding ourselves and the world we live in can be pictured in terms of a journey; and the dreams that a person has reflect that movement. In our ordinary everyday- speech we use idioms to suggest our understanding. We speak of the ups and downs of life, of being at a standstill and so on. Each moment is totally unique, and thai uniqueness is reflected in our dreams. Mostly dreams arc about the here and now and give a snapshot picture as to what is happening at this particular moment.
The images will reflect how we are feeling, what obstacles there are, possible courses of action and what our ultimate goal should or mav be.
The dream will bring in images from the past or recognisable scenes to help us interpret what is going on and move forward to meet our destiny.
Any sense of having completed a journey - arriving home, touching down and so on indicates the successful completion of our aims. Collisions represent arguments and conflicts which arc often caused by our own aggression.
A difficult journey now behind us means we have come through the difficulties and setbacks of the past.
The obstacles ahead indicates we are aware of the difficulties which may occur.
We do need to be aware that we ourselves create the problems. Our own attitude to life is perhaps responsible. Turning a corner shows we have accepted the need for a change of direction. We may have made a major decision. Avoiding an accident means we are able to control our impulses. Stopping and starting suggests there is conflict between laziness and drive. At a standstill/in a traffic jam indicates we arc being prevented, or are preventing ourselves, from moving forward. This needs handling with care, since to stop may be appropriate. Departing (departures from airports, stations, etc.) Formerly all departures were interpreted as death. Nowadays the symbolism is much more of a new- beginning. We are leaving the old life in order to undertake something new. When someone in outlives leaves us, wc may dream of departures and the grief’ that parting causes. In certain circumstances, to dream of wanting to leave but not being able to suggests that there is still further work to be done.
To be conscious of the time of departure might suggest that we are aware of a time limit within an area of our lives.
The destination, when it becomes apparent, will give some ideas about the aims and objectives we have. Our declared hopes and ideals may not correspond with those we subconsciously have our inner motivation may be totally- different to our outer behaviour and dreams will highlight this discrepancy.
The exact nature of our objective is often not known to us until after we have confronted the obstacles and challenges along the way.
It is often enough just to have an aim for that particular section of the journey.
Driving The whole of the symbolism of driving in dreams is particularly obvious. It represents our basic urges, wants and needs.
If we are driving we arc in control.
If we are not happy when someone else is driving we may not trust that person and may not wish to be dependent on them. When someone else takes over, we are becoming passive.
If we are overtaking the car in front, we are achieving success, but perhaps in a competitive manner. When we are overtaken, we may feel someone else has got the better of us. Once again the way we are in everyday life is reflected in the dream. Our drives, aggressions, fears and doubts arc all reflected in our driving.
Engine This represents the sexual impulse or instinctive drives, one’s basic motivation.
Passenger It will depend if we are a passenger in a vehicle or are carrying passengers.
If the former, we may feel that we are being carried along by circumstances, and have not really thought out our own way forward.
If the latter, we may have know- ingly or inadvertently made ourselves responsible for other people. Travelling with one other passenger suggests we may be considering our relationship with that person.
Road The road in a dream suggests our own individual way forward. Just as each individual vehicle demonstrates the dreamer’s body and external way of being, so the road reflects the way of doing. Any obstacle in the road will reflect difficulties on the chosen path. Any turns in the road will suggest changes of direction. Crossroads will offer choices, while a cul-de-sac would signify a dead end.
If a particular stretch of road is highlighted il may be a period of lime, or may mean an efTort. Going uphill will suggest extra effort while going downhill will suggest lack of conlrol. Traffic accidents and offences These may all be to do with sexuality or self image; perhaps we are not being careful to ensure that our conduct is good.
A collision might suggest a conflict with someone. Road rage would signify not being in control of our emolions and so on.
2- The type of transport may- suggest how we are moving through this particular stage of our lives. Previously the horse was used as an image to depict how we dealt with life. Nowadays the car, the aeroplane and so on have been substituted.
The vehicle which appears in our dreams often conforms with the view we hold of ourselves.
For instance, we may be driving a very basic type of car or a Rolls Roycc (One dreamer described an image he had as a Rolls Rovce that thinks it’s a Mini’). Such an image may represent either our physical body or our personality.
If the dreamer is driving he perhaps feels more in control of his own destinv.
If he is a passenger he may feel others are trying to control his life.
If he is with friends he may be aware of a group goal.
If he does not know the other people he may need to explore his ability to make social relationships. Aeroplane (also see individual entry) An aeroplane suggests a swift easy journey with some attention to detail. We may be embarking on a new sexual relationship.
An airman or pilot This is a romanticised picturc of either the Animus or of the Self (see Inhvdiu tion). Bicycling This suggests youth and freedom, and perhaps the first stirrings of sexual awareness. Boats (and sea voyages) It will depend on what kind of boat is in the dream.
A small rowing boat would suggest an emotional journey but one done alone.
A yacht might suggest a similar journey clone with style, whereas a large ship would suggest creating new- horizons but in the company of others. What the boat does in the dream will have relevance as a reflection of our waking life, e.g. running aground, pulling into harbour etc. Making a long journey This suggests leaving friends and family as would running away to sea.
Disembarking The end of a project, successful or otherwise. Missing the boat We have not paid enough attention to detail in a project in our waking lives. Any narrow waterway or river suggests the birth experience. Ship A ship is usually taken as feminine because of its capricious- ness. Ferry, rowboat This holds all the symbolism of the journey across the River Styx after death.
It is the giving up of selfish desires.
After this we may be ‘reborn’ into a better life, or way of life. Bus (also see individual entry) A bus journey is that part of our lives where we are conscious of the need to travel and to be with other people. We perhaps have a common aim with them. Trouble with timetables, missing the bus, arriving too early, missing a connection We arc not in control of our lives and perhaps should sit down and replan how we wish to continue our lives. Getting on the wrong bus, going the wrong way There are conflicting desires and we need to listen to our own intuition. This is usually a warning of a wrong action. Not being able to pay the fare We do not have enough resources to set out on a particular course of action. It may be that we have not paid attention to detail.
Car (carriage, cart, chariot) (also see individual entries) The car is a reflection of the dreamer and how he or she handles life. It reflects the physical body, so anything wrong with the car will alert us to a problem.
For instance if the engine is not working properly we are not able to get up enough energy to go 011. If the starting motor was not working this would suggest that we need help to start a project.
It is for us to be able to translate the symbolism into our own lives. Even in everyday life it can be seen that a car is a reflection of a person’s self image and possibly sexuality. Any part of the car will have significance.
The back tyres might suggest the dreamer’s support system, the steering wheel the way we control our lives and so on.
If the brakes are not working we are not exercising proper control over our lives. Too many people in the car would suggest that we feel overloaded by responsibility. Lorry A lorry in a dream will have the same significance as a car. except that the drives and ambitions will be connected more with our work and how we relate on a business basis to the world in general.
Motorbike, motorcycle The motorbike is a symbol of masculine youth and daring. In dreams it is an image of independent behaviour, and is often a symbol for the sexual act. It can also be a symbol of freedom.
A Hell’s Angel would suggest some kind of anarchical behaviour. Trains A train will often highlight the dreamer’s attitude to social behaviour and relationships with other people. It will also clarify his attitude to himself.
A steam train would suggest that we feel ourselves to be outdated and obsolete, whereas an up-to-date electric turbo might suggest speed and efficiency. Catching the train shows we have successfully been able to have outside circumstances co-operate with us in achieving a particular goal. Missing the train We do not have the resources to enable us to succeed in an appropriate way either bccause we have forgotten something, or because we have not been sufficiently careful. We fear that we will miss an opportunity. Equally, we may feel that external circumstances are imposing an element of control over us. Often dreams of missing a train and then catching either it or a later one, suggest that we are managing our inner resources better. Dreams of missing a train alternating with those of catching one shows we are trying to sort out our motivation. Getting off the train before its destination We are afraid of succeeding at a particular project. This can also signify premature ejaculation. We do not appear to be in control. Getting off the train before it starts The dreamer has changed his mind about a situation in waking life. Railway lines and tracks will have significance as ways of getting us to our destination. Being conscious of the way the track runs ahead may give us an inkling as to what direction we arc going. Recognising the signals up ahead would have the same significance. Coming off the rails might suggest doing something inappropriate or of not being in control. Not wanting to be on the train might indicate we feel we are being unduly influenced by outside circumstances. Arriving at a station indicates we have completed a stage of our life journey. We may be ready for a new relationship with the world in general.
The carriages on a train suggest the various compartments or sections of our lives and the way we feel about them.
For example, if a carriage is untidy or dirty, we are aware that we need to ‘clean up’ an aspect of our lives.
Walk If in our dreams we are aware of having to walk, it usually suggests that we are capable of making a part of our life journey by ourselves without any help. Going for a walk We can enjoy the process of recharging our batteries and clearing our minds.
3- The image of a journey becomes more apparent as time goes on and death approaches. We become more aware of reaching our final destination.... journey dream meaning
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