The Complete Dream Dictionary: A Practical Guide to Interpreting Dreams

5 Comments

1. Anonymous says:

   August 7, 2010 at 6:59 am

   This book is terrible. It has all the common conventions of a Dream dictionary book. I would have to say that out of all the mundane, garden-variety dream books out there, this one rates in the top 5…
   Rating: 1 / 5
2. Anonymous says:

   August 7, 2010 at 7:47 am

   You’ll want this book to help you with your dreams. Not a waste of Money! Also: The Discovery of Dreams A-Z
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. Audrey says:

   August 7, 2010 at 8:24 am

   Extensive lists of meanings behind different items seen in dreams, as well as situations and accounts of specific dreams. One of the best lists in dream interpretation.
   Rating: 4 / 5
4. Victoria Tarrani says:

   August 7, 2010 at 9:57 am

   Many dream dictionaries simply list words and their meanings. The symbols are obtuse because our mind is revealing information to us, but hiding it at the same time. Pamela Bell has methods for managing dreams, starting with KISS, or Keep It Simple, Stupid. It is not that anyone is stupid, but we over complicate, over interpret, over analyze what symbols may mean, and we lose the simplicity of the message.

   The book is divided into sections, and long before you come to the interpretations of dream symbols, if you read the book sequentially, you will have a background that you can apply, and learn how to guide your dreams. The following is a short synopsis of each segment.

   Introduction: “Dreams thus perform at least two functions, and interestingly these activities are relevant to the attributes of the two separate halves of the brain.” (Bell) Every day our conscious minds are bombarded with images and thoughts, noises, colors, aromas, then, at night, when the conscious mind eases control, we review and interpret, and frequently solve problems; sometimes waking up to know the answer to complicated problems, or whatever may have been perplexing.

   The Dream Interpreters: The most famous dream interpreter, in my opinion, is Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and firstborn of Rachel. He was sold into slavery, yet he was the one who interpreted the Pharaoh’s dreams of the feast and famine years that would come upon the land. Bell follows the history of a few dream interpreters to show the changes from parlor games to therapy. She includes a short list of archetypal symbols.

   Sleeping and Dreaming: “Sleep is a way of turning away from the external stimuli by which we are bombarded daily to an inner landscape which permits regeneration and rejuvenation.” (Bell) I am an insomniac, so I frequently miss this part of the dream. She covers this disorder and many others, and gives tips to sleep better, including a list of herbs that may help.

   Dream Interpretation: “Just as a child learns that certain words represent certain object, the dreamer begins to understand his or her own dream language.” (Bell) This is the reason that there are many dream dictionaries, and why we do not necessarily know what we are telling ourselves.

   How to be a Creative Dreamer: The common term is lucid dreaming, and it is where you control your dream. Once, when a knife wielding threat was attacking me, I woke myself up by saying, “This is a nightmare!” To analyze your dream you must experience yourself as the things and people within. In that dream, I was telling me what I already knew, but had not really faced. This chapter is rich with information and suggestions, including several guided dreams.

   Dream Dictionary: These are the nuggets that we use to try to interpret the dream. This section is divided into elements: (1) Animals, (2) Environments in Dreams, (3) Journey, and (4) People. Then Bell provides an alphabetical listing of various words. Unlike many other books, she does not say, for example: Butterfly is one’s own transformation, but that the butterfly represents freedom, although it can also “indicate a lack of ability to settle down or to take a protracted task.” The interpretation is up to you, and it is therefore based on your current situation.

   Dream Workbook: “The following pages are for the reader’s personal use. They suggest various methods which can be used in your own journals, and for your own private interpretations.” (Bell) Nearly every book about understanding dreams suggests a dream journal; it is the flow of life.

   This is an excellent addition to my dream dictionary collection. One of the things I have learned about dreams and messages is this: If I do not get it the first time, my mind will send the dream again, but simpler. Five stars.

   Victoria Tarrani
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. Anonymous says:

   August 7, 2010 at 10:21 am

   This book offers an exceptional guide for remembering, interpreting and controlling your dreams. The dictionary is very comprehensive. A great book! I purchased two for gifts and one for myself!
   Rating: 5 / 5