The most common comment I hears is, “I don’t remember my dreams.” Well, if you had a friend who you called ten times and she didn’t respond to your messages, would you still call? It’s more likely you’d wait to see if she took the initiative and showed she cared about the relationship. The same goes with our subconscious. When that aspect of our mind believes we mean it, we’ll start receiving those nighttime messages.

Once you’re getting regular dream messages the most fundamental tools for working with dreams are pen and paper and perhaps some index cards. Be sure to date, title and record the dream in detail in an ongoing dream journal as soon as possible. As mentioned in previous articles it’s vital to record a dream and capture the symbols while the images are still fresh in your mind.

Keep paper, pen and a small flashlight by the side of the bed. If you wake during the night with a dream in your mind capture the key symbols immediately; even a few words can trigger your memory in the morning to recall the complete dream. Some dreamers find it useful to speak into a tape recorder during the night rather than using pen and paper.

Research evidence suggests that most dream activity occurs in the final hour of sleep, basically summarizing the night’s work, so planning for adequate rest is essential. Some research has also shown that B vitamins play a role in memory storage and dream recall, so increasing our intake of these nutrients may improve retention.

Setting, Plot and Character

Thinking of the dream like a story, and dividing the dream into beginning, middle and ending “scenes” can be helpful. Determine the identity of the main character of the dream. Are you the “star” in your story, or are you an observer, watching the action on a screen? Unless the dream is prophetic or a shared experience, in almost every case the main character, and all the actors in the dream are you. You’re the casting director and everyone represents a quality or behavior you’re subconsciously reflecting on, so if you’re not center stage take a look at who is. What is the age and gender of the main character? How do you feel about the leading lady or man?

Note setting, plot, lighting, characters, time of day, feelings, colors, numbers, clothing and time period in history. Your Higher Self is setting the stage, writing the plot and casting the characters. Pay attention to all of these details; each may be a clue. Some may seem subtle, unimportant or even confusing. Investigate all the hints and images, including animals, buildings, houses, objects, actions, roads, paths, weather, season. Identify the overall tone: harmonious, mischievous, dangerous.

After you’ve done the left-brain work of recording your dream in as much detail as possible, consciously open to your intuition as you reflect on the meaning. Connect with your feelings. Feelings are powerful indicators in dreams, and the nature of a strong feeling upon waking can sometimes reveal the whole thrust of the dream What emotion did you feel when you woke? Fear? Joy? Anger?

The Right Question

As Plato knew, formulating the right question is critical to receiving a meaningful response. The questions below are suggestions, and a starting point, to ask after recording your dream. As you work with this technique you can expand this list with your own questions and keep it handy so you can add to the list whenever a new question enters your mind. Record the responses to these questions in your dream journal and watch what happens with your dreams over time.

What colors, textures, sensations? Note the details.
What do these things mean to you personally?
How am I acting in the dream? Why am I doing this?
How does this dream relate to my life right now?
Why did I remember this dream?
Is this an area of ignorance or denial?
What is my current waking state of mind?
What was my state of mind when I went to sleep?
What is this dream trying to tell me?
What is the main thrust or theme of this dream?
If I step back, what scene is portrayed on the “TV” screen in my mind?
Do I feel safe or threatened? Am I running from something or someone?

Working with dreams requires a conscious commitment on our part. Investing time with the symbols in your dreams pays dividends which far outweigh the expenditure of energy. We must be willing to keep a dream journal, humble enough to accept the guidance received, and courageous enough to take action in our lives.

Julie Gillentine is the award-winning author of TAROT & DREAM INTERPRETATION and other books and articles. Each year she leads a sacred journey to Egypt. Julie can be reached through her web site www.queenofcups.com or in Colorado at 970-264-7474.