Universal Landscape: Archetypal Character Aspect: Wisdom and guidance.
Dreaming Lens: Was it an old man or old woman in your dream? Was the dream character the same gender as you, or the opposite? Did he or she speak to you? Were you drawn to the dream character, or frightened? Did he or she have anything for you, share any wisdom, or offer you an object?
Personal Focus: The Old Man and his female counterpart, the Crone, are staples in Jungian psychology, as they are the archetypes that represent human wisdom. This is a Character Aspect shared by every human being on the planet and connects us to our inner guidance and our highest thought. We can only connect to this powerful energy when we can learn from our mistakes, a trait often associated with the insight that comes with age and usually is unavailable to us in our youth.
An older person that you know from life may also represent wisdom, but an interpretation of any person must connect to their traits as you experience them in life. When the Old Man or the Crone appears in archetypal fashion, the dream character will not be known to you personally, and a gift, insight, or wisdom might be offered to you. This Archetypal Character Aspect is often the first one that most people encounter on their inner journey toward integration. This is because all human beings have access to the wisdom that comes with age, making this Archetype very accessible within each of us.
Use the Dreaming Lens to deepen your interpretation of this symbol. Examine the shift or change in the dream marked by the appearance of this character. If there was a “before” and “after” to the moment of meeting, how did the dream change as a result of their presence? A positive shift may indicate the new information that is now available for your integration. A negative shift may be a signpost that the next level of material you must face in your inner work is in the Shadow. As with many archetypal dreams, there may be very little chaotic content, and the dream may consist simply of a single scene in which you encounter the figure.
[1]Vision: Seeing an elderly man you don’t know: practice more levelheadedness and examine your actions and your life. Sometimes, the old man wants to warn of evil-minded people in your immediate environment. Seeing an old woman: anxiety, limitations, or worries. Seeing yourself as an old person: you might receive great honors; or be smart and keep your distance from certain events in the near future.
Depth Psychology: The old man is seen as a symbol of maturity in all aspects of life. This dream is always significant and should be examined carefully. Old men or old women represent either wisdom or malice, and are a warning to take a closer look at your (bad) habits.
See Also: Youth*
[2]Carl Jung said that the wise old man is the “archetype of the spirit” and the “speaking fountainhead of the soul.” Dreaming about him may attempt to bring the dreamer into awareness of the larger meaning of ones life. Old people in dreams represent wisdom and maturity. They may appear in our dreams at times of confusion and lack of direction, or when we need consultation and help in decision-making.
See Also: Aging
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