Various and Sundry ...

Last night was full of dreams and all I can remember is a couple of images - someone suddenly sitting on my chest and suffocating me - and just as quickly recognizing this and getting up; being atop of a mountain with my arms open wide to joyously  feel the icy blast; looking through papers I need to edit.  All these images are without context.

The final image is a bit more cohesive - I'm in a large living room.  It feels old-fashioned, like something out of the 1950's.  There is a large window to the right and is covered with bright orange drapes.  There are other people in the room.   Everyone is dressed in clothing of that era, the women in elegant print full-skirted dresses and the men in suits.  We are all excited because a special ceremony is about to commence.  I hear someone say that there is even a piper to pipe in the procession.

And then it begins - the piper comes in in a slow, stately manner.  He is dressed in a tartan that is predominantly yellow and black.  The wail of the bagpipes fills the room.  Behind him were some people carrying a large tinsel sign which they quickly fasten to the orange drapes - "Congratulations!", the sign said, the glittery gold blending into the orange background.

And finally, the people who are honoured march in, about a half-dozen young men and women in graduation gowns.  Everyone cheers and applauds.  The celebration now begins in earnest.

The Guidance System

There is huge excitement and disruption in the lives of people all over the globe - discovery has been made as to how to travel great distances in space in relatively short periods of time.  I am on the team that is to go off-world soon, and am busy, along with my team mates, preparing myself for this historic journey.  Our destination is a far-off planet on the opposite side of the galaxy.

Something happens, and I am suddenly told that I am not going to go any more.  I feel shock, rage, and huge disappointment.  My face is streaked with tears and my heart is breaking.  The officials try to console me, telling me my contribution, both up until this point and what I will do, is invaluable, but these are just empty words to me.

I pull myself together when one of the officials sternly reminds me that I am still on the clock.  My professional face in place again, they now tell me they have something to show me, and take me through a very crowded hall.  There are people from all nations there, excited to be able to see such incredible launch of a ship that will be first to traverse the galaxy.  I feel irritated by the happy chatter, knowing how much has gone into this project, and how much is at stake.  "They're all like children", I think to myself, "not understanding anything but the outer shell of bling."

The room I'm ushered in has a huge window looking out into the night sky.  Here, all is quiet, even though it's full of scientists and technicians working on the last minute preparations.  I am led to a small platform, and we all get on it. The platform then is raised half-way up the room and is very close to the window - I get the sensation that I'm floating in the darkness.

"There", one of the men says, pointing to something I cannot see at first.  I look more closely and see a slender rod, about a meter tall and inset with some flashing LED lights.  It hangs in the nothingness like the beacon it is.  "This is what you designed, this guidance system," he continues, "and this is what will guide them all home."  I am in tears again, this time from a feeling of deep humility and gratitude.  Memories of working on this piece that would make this all possible flood me - how could I have forgotten!? - and I feel very grateful these people took time to remind me.

The mission is a success, and the aftermath blurs into some time in the future.  I am walking through what appears as a car lot with brand new shiny cars all ready to be sold.  A group of giggly girls are clustered around one car in particular, and my curiosity gets the best of me.  I approach them and they show me what they're looking at - a car of gleaming sapphire blue is fitted with a slender rod about a meter tall and inset with some flashing LED lights.

They're still giggling and making childish phallic jokes, while I'm standing stunned again at how quickly my invention is forgotten, that it is now used as a decoration for some jock's car.  "This opened up the skies for us, took us to worlds unknown," I say sadly, "And you still don't understand..."

I walk away...

Collecting Cobwebs and Attending a Wedding

I wake up briefly, but maybe it I am only dreaming that I woke up. Conditions seem just right, and yes, the buzzing starts.  It startles me, and I pull back into consciousness once or twice, but finally give in to that exquisite feeling of heaviness before I flow out of myself and fly around my room.


It dawns on me that this is my room, but different.  It's much larger, and is furnished differently.  I can't quite place the style - Indian?  Oriental?  Middle Eastern?  A fusion of all, perhaps? - but it's exotic and beautiful, full of rich silks of deep reds and golds, and polished woods.  As quickly as I am startled by all this, I get used to it.  This has always been my room, of course!  And I turn my attention to flying around.  I have no desire to go outside, but instead concentrate on thinking of a way to bring back proof that I do indeed fly.  


A small flutter near the ornate light fixture catches my eye and I giggle to see a cobweb hanging down.  I giggle again, because I know the "Mother" (I'm again startled to recognize her, even though I have never met her in life) keeps a spotless place.  As I float so close to the ceiling, I realize that it's full of dusty cobwebs that from the floor would be invisible.  I think how startling it would be to her to see this and then just as quickly, realize that I can provide the proof indeed!  I can make my hand just dense enough to collect these cobwebs!!  


And that is exactly what I do, leisurely all around the large room, occasionally glancing at myself on the bed, but mostly concentrating on collecting quite a respectable gray ball of fluff.  Just for fun, I stick my head through the large window to look outside, and enjoy the cool darkness, before going back inside, and gently slide into myself.  My physical hand now holds the cobwebs gathered, and I feel very pleased with my accomplishments.


In the hallway I hear "Mother" talking with someone else, and excitedly I call to her.  She comes in, her arms full of laundry, and tells me she can't stay to talk.  I convince her otherwise by offering to fold the long sheets with her, and she gratefully dumps everything on my bed.  "Mother" is a middle-aged plump woman, wearing a pink flowered cotton sari, her black hair generously streaked with gray and pulled into a bun at the back.  


I tell her that I just came back from flying, and this time brought proof of this.  I show her the sticky gray fluff, and tell her how I got it.  After the first horrifying moment at the knowledge that her place isn't as clean as she thought, she is actually quite impressed, and talks to me at length about it, promising never to doubt me again.  All this while, we are folding the laundry companionably.


It is now later in the day, and I am out in a beautiful garden behind the house.  There are a number of younger women there, all dressed in beautiful saris, and I am especially drawn to one with dark curly hair and black eyes.  She's very tiny and fragile, and quite sad.  We start talking and she tells me that she needs to marry again, but doesn't know how to go about getting out of the marriage she's already in.  I feel I know her in more than just the dream.


The garden is becoming more crowded as we are joined by some men and young boys, around age 10 to 12.  One of them is dressed in a white silk jacket and pants, and is very "beautiful" - even as I say this word, I know it's inappropriate for a boy, but there is no other way to describe him.  He is also quite a comedian, and keeps us all entertained and laughing with his antics.  At one time he climbs into "Mother's" lap and sings to her how he has outgrown his work at the plantation, how he needs to expand his wings and go see the world.  We are all deeply moved by his plea for independence, and the Mother hugs him closer.


I momentarily lose track of the beautiful slender woman I spoke to, and now look for her.  She is standing by herself, her back to us and I go to her, as do all the other people in this garden. She now has an odd headpiece on, one that looks much more like European medieval - a wide chin-strap of white linen embroidered in red, an oval linen white veil held in place with a thin silver circlet.  She looks at me with more determination in her eyes and a faint smile, and tells me she is now ready to move on with her life.  She is ready for this marriage that is designed to free her from the bondage she is in.  


A young man approaches her - he is obviously Caucasian and dressed in medieval garb.  He has an easy, approachable, gentle manner about him, and it's obvious that they are very, very happy together.  


As a huge celebration starts, for the first time, she laughs aloud with genuine joy, and dances about with her new husband.  I do want to ask how she dealt with the issue of her other marriage, but know this is not the time nor the place, and knowing that she did indeed set her other life behind her.  


I join in the celebration which now has become a long spiral dance ...

Military Misdirection

And now for something completely different:

The dreams last night had me in some sort of military camp. It is snowing, and there are patches of snow interspersed with slushy puddles. I feel ridiculously happy that I finally can wear my winter boots.

I am to meet someone, and find there are a lot of people there. It appears that more than just myself have been invited to this meeting. We take our seats, when something strikes me as strange - I recognize only some of the people there, with most of them being total strangers. I wonder how they got on base and who they are. Apparently, this thought crosses the minds of others, but we can do nothing about this because at that moment, we are addressed by a general. 

I almost laugh out loud, because he's at least a foot shorter than I am, all puffed out with medals on his chest and a riding crop under his arm - he looks like a cartoon! And sounds like one, as he begins to drone on and on about inconsequential things. Suddenly, I see that there's method to his madness - all the military personnel pay strict attention, while all the others are put to sleep. "Ah, discipline comes through every time!", I think to myself, as we take them all to a more secure area.

Inside one of the tents, I am now part of an interrogation team, but this too begins to feel like a farce. The next person is brought in, and I'm shocked to see it's an old friend of mine who is very much involved with the army cadets program. Instead of acting in a professional and logical manner I'm accustomed from him, he begins to treat this entire interrogation as a comedy routine - we can't get anywhere with him, but we all begin to laugh and enjoy his antics, especially his funny voice and accents routine.

And then I snap out of it. I recognize that he's doing exactly what the "general" was doing. Touching my co-staff lightly on the shoulders also brings them to attention. Sadly, I inform my friend that we see through his game, and it won't work any more. 

The last image I remember seeing is my brother driving a large truck towards me. I get in and...wake up...

Another Wedding

It looks like this is starting a new trend in dreams:

I have moved to a new apartment in a church complex, which also includes a school.  Somehow, my job is tied into this too.  I feel very much at home here, because although it’s unmistakably Catholic, there’s a feeling of freedom to do pretty much whatever anyone wants as far as worship is concerned.  My connection is with the school in some way, and I begin to make friends with the many young people there.  Among them are a pair of Oriental brothers – they’re older, and we seem to have a special immediate connection (cross-reference dream of Feb. 15^th).

As I walk through the corridors of the school, I notice a glass display case containing many medieval artifacts that were obviously made by the children.  There are helmets and other pieces of armour – all made with duct tape (yes, I giggle) – banners, weapons, and even attempts at garb.  The prevalent colours seem to be blue and orange, and I wonder if these are the school colours and make a mental note to find out.

I suddenly get an idea to organize an event and ask some ever-present kids around me if they would like that, to which they agreed enthusiastically, and we go off to find the principal – a very pleasant, if somewhat absent-minded type young man whom I remember meeting before.  He totally agrees it would be a great idea and then takes me back to the same display case saying, “Have you seen what our students made?”  We all laugh as I tell him that it is this very display that gave me the idea to do this.

It’s later in the day, and I am enjoying walking through the gardens of this large property.  It is a warm day that is rapidly becoming darker as evening sets in.  I am by an ornamental wooden fence speaking with some staff and the Brothers, when I notice some activity behind me.  Someone is busy setting up what looks like an altar – a wedding altar at that!!  We all just watch the preparations, and one of the staff, a woman who I recall is the vice-principal, tells me that weddings often take place here.  “They’re just having a rehearsal now”, she says, “We have not even got an officiant yet – this is just a stand-in.”

I say nothing until the rehearsal reaches a certain point, and then say in unison, not even looking at the couple, but facing my friends, “By the power vested in me by the Province of Ontario and All-Seasons Church of Canada, I now pronounce you…”, thus revealing myself to be a licensed officiant.  There is a flurry of excitement as everyone realizes that I can do this and be on call for them.  The Brothers tell me that it’s time for me to get ready, because the actual wedding will be soon.  They walk me to my apartment and even suggest what I should wear – my gold lace robes. 

I can still see the gardens where this will be taking place and all the hurried happy preparations that are taking happening.  Then I go inside, and get ready myself…

-----

A word about The Brothers – these two have been around me for many, many years, although appearing as Oriental is rather a new thing.  

ETERNAL VALENTINE

A small seaside community and a two-car train that makes fun rides all around the area - these are my first images remembered from last night's dream. I am riding this train almost daily, just for the fun of it. One junction is staffed by a young woman with long dark blond hair. She always laughs and waves to us as she goes around checking switches and rails. 

This train makes its way around the cove and takes on more passengers. There's a party atmosphere on the train, we're all laughing and introducing ourselves to each other. I meet a couple of oriental men, and as we talk, I find that they are Buddhist monks, and we fall into a lively spiritual discussion.

I do not know at which point the train changes into a huge open space, like a hotel lobby, but I gradually become aware that this change has taken place. There are many couples there, wandering around, obviously very much in love. In fact, as the great hall continues to evolve, I see that it is now filled with deep couches of white and red upholstery, heart-shaped cushions, soft recessed lights and - I laugh! - pole dancing equipment. Discreet wait staff moves quietly among the couples with drinks and trays of food. Some cuddle on these couches, while others are engaged in games of tag. Many agile ladies leap onto the poles and teasingly stay just out of reach of their partners. 

The two oriental men and I walk through, trying to find out just exactly what we're doing here. Eventually, we briefly part company and when I see the men again, they are excitedly bringing me a couple, who, they say, need to get married. I recognize the young woman who works on the railroad and we enthusiastically hug in recognition. I'm suddenly all business, and ask for the marriage license, which they provide for me instantly. It's not surprise that I also have the wedding registry with me, and all five of us go into a small room that's all set up for a wedding, which I conduct effortlessly. The two monks stand on either side of me.

I instruct the couple to have a long and happy life together, and to start that off with a honeymoon in this best place possible, to enjoy themselves to the fullest! It's only when I find myself alone in the room that I realize I haven't been paid for my services, and immediately go to find the monks, who at that moment, are looking for me. They now need me for a prosperity ceremony, which I gladly participate in. They are both now dressed in red robes with white silk scarves about their necks, and the ceremony includes opening of an ornate box. At first I try to keep up with the chant, but realize that I do not know it, and provide a constant bass drone instead. They open the box, containing many gold coins, and cover it with another white silk scarf, then feed each other (and me) with almonds from another dish. 

This being over, I ask about my fee, and they look at me as they don't understand what I'm talking about. I realize that this is a foreign concept to them, and also that as long as we stay here, we will be paid in a thousand different ways that wouldn't involve money.

I walk out and see this wonderful place of Love with new eyes. This is my new place of employment and home. I happily wander through the hall filled with romping couples, already seeing those who will need my services lining up. Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember that it's still Valentine's night...

A NEW DEVICE AND WORK FROM HOME

I had a very hard time falling asleep last night. Finally at around midnight - hours after I should have been asleep, I finally gave in and took a sleeping pill. Of course, I can still feel the effect of it today - ugh! But no worries, I shall prevail!! 

I'm actually surprised to remember a very small part of a dream - a young man gives me a small device, much like an I-pad, and tells me that he is now working at a very prestigious lawyer's office. When he says that I get a vision of something very different - a small, shabby, run-down office - and I tell him that it's hardly prestigious. Then I get an inspiration and ask him if his boss has anyone to do his dictation transcription for him, and offer to do this from my home. A deal is struck, and I look forward to starting my new job...

Living in Poverty

Very dim recall of last night's dream - I am told by someone that either a family will be moving in with me, or I must move in with a family. Instead of this being a happy experience as in yesterday's dream, we are all jammed into one small apartment, the children having beds, the adults having to sleep on the floor. The poverty is appalling. Another woman joins us - she's with social services and is trying to teach the family how to manage on the meager allowance they're given. At this point I become aware that I am assisting her. She is not having much success, and is very frustrated by the limitations placed upon her.

I suddenly remember that I really live somewhere else, and know that I have food and supplies in my real apartment. I tell the social worker that I can get some hamburger, potatoes and vegetables from there and cook a good meal here. I try and be quiet as I say it but in the crowded place like this, I am overheard by the grandfather who was lying down on the couch. He immediately sits up, a small child materializes before me, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed by all the begging eyes shining at the thought of such a feast. With more frustration, the social worker tells me this is against the rules, but now it's too late. I say loudly I will be back soon with food. 

It feels like I have upset the status quo. 

It feels wonderful...

UFO, MOVE TO A NEW HOUSE, FLYING HORSE

Two distinct dreams from last night:

Dream 1:

I am outside, as are many people in the neighbourhood.  It is a warm spring evening, with the long shadows just starting in the East.  A woman (my mother, perhaps?) is with me and we are just ambling down the street.

Suddenly, I tense up and look behind us.  I scan the darkening sky, because I know I'm going to see - yes!  There it is!  A bright glow, coming ever closer to us.  As it nears, we can now distinguish the various rows of lights as this UFO whirled like a spinning top.  Now another light joined it, a more conventional one - a military helicopter appears opposite the UFO and begins shooting at it.

Many people scream and run for cover.  For some reason, I feel it necessary to stay and watch this brilliant dog fight and calmly sit down on the curb.  The woman joins me.

Dream 2:

Some family members (very indistinct but just there) and I move into an old house.  It's very large, with gleaming wooden floors and trim, wide doorways, high ceilings and big windows everywhere.  Another family moves into the same house, and there is a bit of tension at first, but then I begin to realize that the place is certainly big enough for us all.  In fact, going through one doorway, I discover a whole new section, like a duplex.

Excitedly, I go back to the other side, and tell them of this find.  I tell everyone that it's like it was made for the two families, with enough bedrooms for all.  Since the other family, consisting of a mother, father and two near-adult sons (feels like they're of Mexican descent), is the larger one, they get the larger side of the house, the one I discovered, and they happily begin moving into their space.  In the meanwhile, I am busy trying to arrange the furniture, which suddenly seems very sparce and inadequate, in our area. I am dancing around this big room, thinking with delight how wonderful it would be to hold my meetings and rituals here. Further exploration shows another smaller room, and this one is filled with built-in cabinets.  Some of them have been spattered with white paint, and I make plans to have them restored to their natural beauty, especially the ones that have heavy leaded glass doors.  I immediately ear-mark this room to be the library/dining room.

It is becoming a very harmoneous and happy combined household.  In the many activities, I am now busy cutting out some fabric on a long table and am approached by one of the young men.  He's curious about the markings on the pattern, and I explain what the notches mean, "This is where the material in joined together for sewing".  He nods his understanding and somehow turns this into a complex mathematical equation that obviously means something to him.  In fact, he says this was the key he needed in understanding a specific scientific problem he's encountered.

I am pregnant. I know that I am close to my time and feel very calm about the impending event. I also know that I'm going to have a little girl. Suddenly, or perhaps as is the way of dreams, a passage of time that blurs, I know that it has passed, but I have no baby in my arms. It's almost as though it never happened, except that by the shape of my belly, it has. Again, I feel very calm about it - all is as it should be. (Imbolc message, perhaps?)

The final image I rememer is me looking out the patio doors on the beautiful mountain side that we face on one side.  It is getting dark, and I feel the need to go outside, which I do.  This is our back yard, with many garden plots of both flowers and vegetables.  Lovely, peaceful, the air is sweet, but I feel tense, scanning the top of the mountain ridge.  There!  I see it now - I gaze in amazement and awe as the powerful image of a galloping majestic horse materializes from the shadows.  I feel something very sacred has just blessed me and mine...