Oneiromancy

Origin and history

The word "oneiromancy" comes from the Greek óneiros ("dream") and manteia ("divination"). The practice is documented since the most ancient civilisations: Mesopotamia (the dream books of Assurbanipal's library, 7th century BC), Egypt (the famous Egyptian dream book of Chester Beatty papyrus, 14th century BC), biblical world (Joseph interprets dreams of Pharaoh in Genesis 41), Greece (the Asclepian temples of Epidaurus where the sick slept seeking healing dreams; Artemidorus' Oneirocritica, 2nd century AD, the first systematic treatise of oneiromancy that has survived).

In Hindu and Buddhist tradition, dreams have important place — many texts include classifications of dreams and their meanings. In traditional Islam, the science of dream interpretation (ta'bir) is a respected discipline; classical compilations exist (Ibn Sirin in the 8th century is the most famous reference). In indigenous American traditions, dreams are often direct portal to the spirit world; many shamanic and tribal practices include collective dream interpretation as guidance for the community.

Modern psychological revolution

In the 20th century, Carl Gustav Jung and Sigmund Freud revolutionised the understanding of dreams in the West. Freud presented dreams as the "royal road to the unconscious" with predominantly sexual-repressed meaning. Jung extended the vision: dreams come from the deep unconscious, often touch collective unconscious, contain archetypal symbols that exceed individual personal history. The Jungian great dreams are direct contact with the universal psyche and have profound spiritual meaning.

Practical types of dreams: 1) Resolution dreams (the unconscious processes the day's experiences). 2) Compensatory dreams (balance unconscious aspects to what consciousness ignores). 3) Symbolic dreams (use archetypal images to communicate deeper messages). 4) Premonitory or precognitive dreams (anticipate future events). 5) Lucid dreams (the dreamer is aware that he/she is dreaming, can interact). 6) Visiting dreams (the dreamer feels visited by deceased, masters, spiritual guides).

How to work with your dreams

1) Dream journal: as soon as you wake up, before getting up, write down everything you remember (even fragments). Without journal, dreams escape. 2) Pay attention to recurrent symbols: those that appear repeatedly carry important messages. 3) Pay attention to dominant emotions (fear, joy, anguish, peace) — they often reveal more than literal contents. 4) Free associate: what does this image evoke in your personal life? in collective myth and culture? 5) Significant dreams require time: do not seek instant interpretation; let it mature for days or weeks. 6) Avoid dictionary "literal interpretation" (the snake = the X) — the symbol is personal; it depends on the dreamer.