When your subconscious mind knows that you are in trouble (or headed for trouble), you may not dream specifically of road signs. That would be almost too easy. On the other hand, you may.

Have you ever dreamed of a Stop sign, or a Wrong Way sign? If you ever do, pay attention. Your inner self is trying to tell you something important.

Often the same message is presented again and again in different images and situations until we “get it.” If you are in a situation that is dangerous or that is making you ill or unhappy—or both—chances are you have already had dreams that are, in effect, Street Signs, telling you to Stop, Detour (find a way around the problem), Slow, and so on.

For example, if you are trying to maintain a relationship with someone who is not really committed, who is really more interested in someone else, or who is married or otherwise committed to another, you intuitively know you are heading for trouble. So you might start having dreams symbolically act as No Trespassing Signs, telling you what your subconscious mind already knows, that you are trying to be somewhere that you do not belong.

On the other hand, if you are responsible for designing or maintaining roads or streets in real life, maybe you are just reminding yourself to include signage. If so, here is where to get the best Road Signs.

As C.G. Jung wrote and taught, our subconscious mind communicates with us via dreams and dreamlike images, including artistic expressions (such as drawing our own mandalas) and dreamlike images—even just with images and words that catch our eye during the day. Really good fortunetellers, like good Jungian psychotherapists, can pick up on those images in various ways.

Some would say that a good fortuneteller reads your aura (or reads your mind or subconscious mind) just as a good therapist listens not only to what you say but also to what is implied in what you say, and do not say, and how you express it.

Others would say that the very best fortunetellers get information for you from a higher metaphysical level, what C.G. Jung referred to as the transpersonal level. That is, they may get information from the dimension in which all human consciousness is said to be connected.

Many of us are not totally aware of all that we know. We have subconscious knowledge that—for whatever reason—we do not acknowledge consciously. A good fortuneteller can really help with that.

A really superb fortuneteller can often provide uncannily accurate information that we could not possibly have known ourselves, as subsequent events may prove to us.

One thing that I seldom hear people discuss about fortunetellers is that they also receive their information, the information that they give us, as dreamlike images. One of the things that makes a good fortuneteller or psychic is the ability to interpret those dreamlike images on our behalf.

Another valuable trait of a good fortuneteller is knowing when to share such images with us directly, allowing us to get in touch with such images ourselves, providing further insight that we can draw for ourselves. So often a good reading by a professional fortuneteller continues to provide insights as events and relationships develop, and we more and more understand the dreamlike images they provide for us.

In a way, a fortuneteller dreams on behalf of their client and then shares and interprets the dream images with the client. That makes it so interesting and valuable to chat live with a psychic.

Why not give it a try? Just be sure to write down all those predictions, especially the images (visual and words and phrases) in your dream journal, so you can continue to study them for additional insights.

And be sure to stop by and leave a comment to let us know how it turns out.

Such wisdom, while tremendously valuable and healing, can be difficult for most of us to interpret for ourselves. Jung pioneered the art of interpreting a person’s dreams, and the images used in artistic expressions, to facilitate emotional healing and mental wellness.

“In each of us there is another whom we do not know. He speaks to us in dreams and tells us how differently he sees us from the way we see ourselves. When, therefore, we find ourselves in a difficult situation to which there is no solution, he can sometimes kindle a light that radically alters our attitude-the very attitude that led us into the difficult situation.” – C.G. Jung, Civilization in Transition

Jung trained other psychotherapists to use his methods, and through his writing, he made his system accessible to millions. Jung wrote about his own dreams as well as those of his patients. He encouraged patients to express their inner lives in art.

Jung himself used the form of the mandala, or circle, to work with his dreamlike inner images. He encouraged his students and patients to do so as well, and he wrote eloquently of the value of such images in bringing the human being into mental and emotional maturity and wholeness.

Exploring one’s inner world via Jungian methods is best done in jungian psychotherapy, where one explores one’s inner world with the help of a Jungian therapist who has not only trained in Jungian therapy but also experienced it as a client. Jung’s teachings have inspired millions over the years, and Jungian psychotherapy has helped many people achieve inner healing and emotional growth.

There are Jungian therapists in virtually every major city worldwide. Some cities also have C.G. Jung Centers which host educational lectures and often have bookstores featuring the work of Jung, his students, and other Jungian therapists.

For more information on Jungian therapy and how it can help you, if you are in the New York City area, call Douglas Tompkins, M.Div., L.P., NCPsyA, a Jungian analyst practicing in NYC (mid-town Manhattan). For a consultation, contact him by phone at 212-504-0887 or email him at dgtompkins@nyjungian.com.

People often dream of new careers. Have you ever found yourself doing work in a dream that you have never done in real life? That could be a clue (or a warning, if it was something you did not like).

Most often, though, the direction is more subtle. You may awaken with a feeling of pride or achievement, a sense that something good awaits you, or just a vague feeling of hope or happiness. It is up to you to decide how to interpret those feelings.

So even if you have never dreamed of, for example, becoming a Registered Tax Return Preparer, that may still be that career of your dreams. It helps to be open to pursuing new ideas, and now is a great time to learn more about the possibilities.

After all, everyone has to file income taxes, and as rules and returns become more complex, more good tax preparers are needed every year. Even if you just want a part-time job during tax season, becoming a paid tax preparer may be just the answer to your dreams.

New IRS requirements for paid tax preparers took effect in January 2011. So even if you have been a paid tax preparer in the past, you will have to study to pass the new IRS tax preparer exams. But there are some great courses and guides that help you prepare for the tax preparer exam.

And once you have your tax preparer certification, you are ready for a career of getting paid for helping people, a career you can take pride in. It could very well be the career of your dreams.

So whatever you dream of, always be open to the possibilities. You may find an even bigger dream that will surprise and reward you, like being a registered tax preparer.

I had been waiting several days for a package from Amazon and worried about receiving it. Normally I have packages delivered to the post office, but it’s half an hour away, so I let this one be delivered at home, because I planned to be here.

It was several days late. I kept checking the front door several times a day, because the postal delivery person just tosses things on the doorstep and never rings the bell. I had checked Amazon’s tracking which said the package had finally reached my city, but I figured it would be at least another day or so before it got out to my neighborhood.

Working away on my computer in mid afternoon, I suddenly heard a very soft phantom doorbell. (My real doorbell is quite loud.) So I want to look, and there was the package.

Whatever these phantom doorbells are, I do believe their are trying to tell us something.

For example, I may dream up a great new Internet site, perhaps an exciting game or a brand new online service. But if I don’t take action, nothing will happen. The dream will not come true. I may say that I don’t know how to make it happen, but that is often just an excuse.

In the example of running into an old friend, I might try going to places I used to see that person, like a coffee shop or club group, or I might just pick up the phone.

In the website example, I might need some good PHP programmers. To find them, I could simply go to a website where freelance programmers offer their services.

Doing that would be stepping out of my comfort zone, but it is the necessary action to take to make my dream come true.

Whether you need PHP developers or help digging a flowerbed, you can find someone to help make your dream come true. You just have to go to the right place.

Bringing your dreams into reality is important. Dreams can be a great source of knowledge, guidance and creativity that will enrich your life if you pay attention to them and act appropriately.

Because dreams are messages from your unconscious mind, acting upon them—sometimes even just writing them down—tells your inner self that you are listening and willing to take action. And that encourages your mind to send you more information in the form of dreams you can act on. It primes the pump, so to speak.

Take action on your dreams today, even if that means doing something you never thought you could do, like hiring web designers or PHP programmers.

When you have created that fun and exciting new website from your dreams, let us know. We want to see!

If you go right back to sleep, chances are you will forget the dream before morning (no matter how vivid it seemed when you first woke up). At least jot down the basic plot of the dream and fill in the details later.

Suggest to yourself every night as you fall asleep, “Tonight I will remember my dreams.”  Say it over and over in your mind as you fall asleep. 

If you do that, chances are your subconscious mind will act on the suggestion. Focus on your dreams through making that suggestion to your subconscious every night as you fall sleep. 

When you need to solve a problem, you may want pray for guidance to be given through your dreams. Prayer tends to focus our intent better.

Trust your intuition! If something in a dream seems important, it probably is.

Try to ignore your logical, skeptical side while writing down your dreams. Just write exactly what you remember without rationalizing anything.

After recording your dream as fully and accurately as possible, then you can start on interpretation.

For more info, see Tips on Remembering Your Dreams, Part 1.

Many dreamers recommend using a lighted pen, so as not to disturb anyone else sleeping in the same room. Using a lighted pen keeps you from having to turn on the light, which allows you to stay closer to the drowsy dream state. That also helps in dream recall.

The moment you awaken, before getting out of bed, is the ideal time to write down your dream, even if you only have time to record the date, name the dream, and jot a few notes. Studies show that moving around tends to awaken you fully and usually hinders dream recall.

Not everyone remembers their dreams on first waking. And some have to dash off to work with no spare minutes to stop and write. But that’s OK. Just write down as much as you can remember about your dream as soon as you can.

Dream expert Robert Moss says people often remember dreams in bits and pieces, so by naming your dream and jotting a few notes, you start the process, and you can add details about the dream later, as you recall them.

Write down everything you remember, without interpreting it, even if it does not seem to make sense. Often, the odd details or parts that do not seem to fit in or make sense contain the most valuable information.

Even the tiniest detail in your dream may be important and should be considered when analyzing your dreams. Look closely at all the people, animals, objects, places, emotions, and even the colors and numbers in your dreams.

Ask yourself, “What does this remind me of?” Write down the first thing that comes to your mind. A real situation in your life may be symbolized in the dream. If you recognize a real-life situation in a dream, ask yourself, “How did situation make me feel?”

Often when there is more than one scene or story line in your dream, there are several issues your subconscious is trying to tell you about. But it can also mean that your inner self is trying several different ways to convey the same information with different symbolism.

Dreams often have multiple, layered meanings. The same dream can be telling you several things, or showing you similarities between seemingly unrelated situations in your life. Taking time to understand your dreams can be extremely enlightening.

For more tips, see Remembering Your Dreams, Part 2. (Watch for it on September 11.)

Scientists say that the brain receives stimuli from many different sources all day long. There are far too many stimuli for it to process, so the mind prioritizes the stimuli and makes you aware of those that need immediate attention (the crying baby, the out-of-control car, your boss’s request), so that you can react appropriately. The stimuli that you are not consciously aware of are alos noted by the brain, but are stored in the brain at a subconscious level (the drip of a water faucet, the remark by a coworker at the coffee machine while you were on the telephone.)

Meanwhile, you feel emotions all day. Some you acknowledge and act on (as when you automatically say thank you and smile when you are complimented). Some you repress or do not allow yourself to act on. For example, you don’t punch your boss in the nose when he tells you the report you worked on for a week is no longer needed.)

Some traumatic experiences may be so emotionally painful that you refuse to experience them at the time. Instead you send them deep into your subconscious (repression.)

In addition to processing all these emotions and stimuli the brain every day, your brain also keeps your body functioning. It remembers names and faces. It enables you to talk and walk and chew gum (sometimes all at the same time). And it controls or enables many other activities that you take for granted. You must admit — that’s a lot to do. 

At night, when your body must rest, your mind continues working.  When it is no longer being used to type letters and do the grocery shopping, the brain processes all of those subconscious stimuli and emotions (while still maintaining body temperature and breathing, and so on). Scientists say that is why we dream. 

Only you are not awake to receive the signals at a conscious level. You cannot hear or see or touch (at a conscious level) while you are sleeping. The brain must resort to other means to get the signals through to your conscious mind. Supposedly that is why we dream the way we do.

The mind uses everything at its disposal (which is everything it has ever been exposed to) to get the message across. Dreaming is the minds way of processing all of the stimuli and emotions it has received during the day or repressed over time, so that you can act on them.

All in all, it’s a pretty neat system. But unless you are remembering and making sense of your dreams, you are missing countless opportunities to learn about yourself and experience life to its fullest.

Even though we’ve mentioned it before, it is important enough to repeat: Why should you try and remember your dreams? Because they contain important messages from your won subconscious mind to yourself. Dreams can tell you important things that your waking mind may have overlooked.

Respect your dreams as the tremendous resource for knowledge that they are. And pay attention. You may learn something incredibly valuable from your own dreams.

Image by mliu92 via Flickr

Car dreams can be scary. And they can have a lot of meanings. For example, if you are obsessed with getting a new car, you may dream about them at night. That much is obvious.

But some automobile dreams are puzzling. What caused them is not clear, and you may start thinking that they are premonitions of disaster. But their meaning may not be so simple.

Some people dream of car crashes. Those could be warnings. But if there has been a rash of spectacular wrecks on TV news, we may write off the whole idea. Still it is good to be extra careful when driving anytime.

Dreaming of a malfunctioning car, though, may have very different meanings: metaphor for the body, business or relationships; automobile malfunctions not yet consciously noticed, or…?

Car as metaphor for the body. Your car is your vehicle—-and so is your body. Pay attention to such dreams carefully. They can be warnings about the state of your health.

Car as metaphor for a marriage. I used to dream that I was in the backseat of a speeding car—-and no one was driving. That was during a bad marriage that was lacking in partnership. My spouse was driving our lives recklessly forward with no input from me—and no apparent plan. It was scary.

Car as a metaphor for business or career. Just as we sometimes know there is something wrong with our body or relationships but ignore the signs, we may also miss signs of problems in our company or career. Malfunctioning car dreams may be the tipoff.

Car malfunction as a subliminal perception. Some of us are very aware of our cars on an unconscious level but do not consciously pay enough attention to keeping them in good repair. As Freud said, when speaking of metaphors in dreams, ” Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”

If the brakes are wearing out, the tires are a tiny bit lumpy (indicating dangerous wear), or the engine is running rough or using too much gasoline, part of your mind registers that. And dreams are when our unconscious minds have the best chance of communicating with us. So you may be warning yourself to get your car checked before you have a wreck or get stranded somewhere because of a breakdown.

So before you start worrying that your dream of a sputtering engine means that the love of your life is about to leave you, or that the rusty car dream means you could have cancer, check on the obvious. Take care of any car repairs you have been putting off—before they get worse.

The peace of mind is well worth the time and trouble. Once you know your car is safe, you can sleep better—and concentrate on figuring out what your sputtering car dreams mean—-if you still have them. With the car fixed, the troubling car dreams may very well stop.

To ease your mind about finding a good mechanic, take practical steps. Go to the Repair Pal website to find customer reviews and ratings for mechanics and repair shops in your local area, with a list of services and specializations for each one.

So for Chicago auto repair, for example, you can find out which mechanics in your neighborhood specialize in your type of car, such as Toyota Corolla, and other information, such as, for example, why you may need a new water pump.

So if you are having scary car dreams, check it out. It will help you sleep better.

After all, you have better things to dream about.