Bad Dreams

I am having awful, disturbing, scary dreams. Almost every night. Sometimes, I get so agitated that He wakes up and, finding me fussing and thrashing in my sleep, wakes me up. But then, if I go back to sleep, the dark images come pouring back.

This morning, I woke up in the early hours before dawn, shaken from the imagery of my dreams. I'd been completely immersed in a dream where I was climbing ladders up into winter-bare trees against a stark gray sky. I was dressed, head to toe, in a heavy, black woolen coat and a strange, almost derby-like black hat. In my dream, it was my job to knock dead blackbirds out of the trees so that they would not fall onto passersby on the sidewalks below. Some of the birds were dry and dessicated, and when they would hit the frozen ground they would shatter into a pile of feathers and "dust." Others of the dead birds were swollen and putrid. These birds would hit the ground with a sickening splat and release a nauseating stink into the freezing air.

I woke up feeling horribly distressed and upset about this particular dream. It has bothered me all day, leaving me feeling strung out -- raw and tender and angry and jittery. I don't put much stock in dream interpretation, generally, but this one feels so compelling. Here's some of what I found, looking around for what it might all signify:

• To dream of dead or dying birds, foretells a period of coming disappointments. You will find yourself worrying over problems that are constantly on your mind.
• To dream that you are climbing a tree, signifies that you will achieve your career goals and reach those high places in society. The degree of difficulty to which you climb the tree will measure the speed.
• To dream that you are climbing up a ladder, suggests that you have reached a new level of achievement. It is symbolic of prosperity, hard work and your efforts.
• To wear an overcoat in your dream, suggests that you are shielding yourself from life's hurt. You may be trying to put up a wall.
• To dream that something stinks, suggests that you are not being supported by your social circle or your environment.
• To see or wear a hat in your dream, indicates that you are hiding an aspect of yourself or that you are covering up something. Alternatively, it represents your attitude or the various roles and responsibilities you have in your waking life.
• To see a blackbird in your dream, signifies a lack of motivation. You are not utilizing your full potential. Alternatively, it represents jealousy.
• Black symbolizes the unknown, unconscious, danger, mystery, darkness, death, mourning, hate or malice.

Arrrghhhh!

swan