When the environment or setting of a dream is particularly noticeable there is usually some kind of message or information being given. Sometimes the place reflects our inner state of mind or mood. It can be a reminder of a particular place which had meaning at a specific time in the dreamer’s life, and sometimes a reminder of particular people.
Interpreting the symbolism of certain places gives us an insight into our own ‘inner landscape’.
A place which becomes fertile or lighter in the course of the dream indicates that an aspect that the dreamer has not previously appreciated - or has found unpleasant - is now developing possibilities and potentials, possibly for spiritual development. Dreary, unfriendly places, or tranquil favourable landscapes may well refer to the dreamer’s subjective view of the world.
The country where the dream takes place may have certain resonances for the dreamer.
For example; America for most people will signify a rather brash, commercially oriented culture, England tends to be seen as inhibited and dutiful, while France will represent the temperamental masculine, and so on. Countryside The countryside can suggest a particular mood or feeling, especially of freedom. Composite scenes consisting of many images recognisable to the dreamer are usually drawing attention to particular qualities, ideals and moods which all enhance the information content of the dream, may have particular associations for the dreamer, or have been included because of frequently encountered associations.
The dreamer’s birthplace represents a secure space.
A bright and sunny place suggests fun and liveliness, whereas a dark, shadowy, murky scene signifies despondency and gloom. Darkened places can represent the unconscious.
A familiar place will often take us back to childhood or a time of learning and a particularly beautiful place may allow us to fantasise so that we can make more use of creative visualisation. Jungles connect with the labyrinth and ways of understanding our sexuality.
A placc which feels oppressive has been a sanctuary, but is no longer.
A sheltered place offers pcace and security. Unknown places indicate aspects of ourselves of which we are not aware. This can lead to a place that seems familiar and yet we do not know which signifies a situation we arc continually re-running in our lives. Wide-open spaces offer us freedom of movement.
An unfamiliar place will signify new aspects of the personality which have not yet become fully conscious.
3- In the sense that a place suggests a ‘spot’, places appearing in dreams allow us to orientate ourselves in order to make the best use of information we arc given.
[1]Psychological / emotional perspective: The country where the dream takes place may have certain resonances for the dreamer.
For example, america for most people will signify a rather brash, commercially oriented culture, england tends to be seen as inhibited and dutiful, while france will represent the temperamental masculine, and so on. Other places that offer information for consideration are as follows: our birthplace represents a secure space where we feel at ease.
A bright and sunny place suggests fun and liveliness, whereas a dark, shadowy, murky scene signifies despondency and gloom. Darkened places can also represent the unconscious. Countryside can suggest a particular mood or feeling, especially of freedom. Composite scenes consisting of many images recognizable to us are usually drawing attention to particular qualities, ideals and moods. These all enhance the information content of the dream, may have particular associations for us or have been included because of frequently encountered associations.
A familiar place will often take us back to childhood or a time of learning and a particularly beautiful place may allow us to fantasize so that we can make more use of creative visualization. Jungles connect with the labyrinth and ways of understanding our sexuality, whereas a place that feels oppressive has formerly been a sanctuary, but is no longer.
A sheltered place offers peace and security. See Also: the individual entry. Unknown places indicate aspects of ourselves of which we are not yet aware. Such places can lead to an environment that seems familiar and yet we do not know it. This signifies a situation we are continually re-running in our lives. Wide-open spaces offer us freedom of movement.
[2]Whatever happens in your dream, the landscape or setting in which the action takes place will be extremely significant to the interpretation.
When interpreting your dreamscape, bear in mind that the setting is often a vivid clue about the topic of your dream and a metaphor for a real-life situation you may be dealing with, whether external, such as relationship demands or internal, such as an inner conflict. Jung paid close attention to the details of landscape and setting in his work on dream analysis, looking for clues to the emotional condition of his patients. For example, a sunny scene might indicate optimism and a gray landscape a gloomy view on life. He believed that the purpose of dreamscapes is to mirror feelings and concepts concerning inner development.
In short, landscapes and settings in dreams refer to the feelings you have about yourself and your life, and however meaningful the other symbols in your dream may be, they only really make sense if interpreted within their context. It would be impossible to list all the possible settings here as every dream can have its own unique dreamscape. Listed below are just some of the limitless possibilities that your dreaming mind might conjure up.
If you can’t find your specific landscape, setting or symbol here, try looking for it under the relevant entry in the index.
See Also: BUILDINGS; HOME; NATURE AND THE SEASONS; WEATHER.
[3]In the sense that a place suggests a ‘spot’, places appearing in dreams allow us to orientate ourselves in order to make the best use of information we are given. Interpreting the symbolism of certain places gives us an insight into our own ‘inner landscape’.
A place that becomes fertile or lighter in the course of the dream indicates that an aspect that we have not previously appreciated – or have found unpleasant – is now developing possibilities and potentials, possibly for spiritual development. Dreary, unfriendly places, or tranquil favourable landscapes may well refer to our subjective view of the world.
To find such landscapes changing in the course of a dream suggests that our attitudes are changing.
[4]Material aspects: When the environment or setting of a dream is particularly noticeable there is usually some kind of message or information being given. Sometimes the place reflects our inner state of mind or mood. It can be a reminder of a particular place, which had meaning at a specific time in our life, and sometimes a reminder of particular people.
[5]The places in our dreams are the backgrounds against which we play out the scenes of our life. In general, being outdoors represents our conscious concerns and being indoors reflects deeper and unconscious concerns.
[6]