Sunday, June 17, 2001		Dream theme

And still they gaz’d, and still the wonder grew. That one small head could carry all he knew.—Goldsmith

THE head, in medical terms, is the composite of a lot of neurological activities and a store for all that one terms as memory. But when one takes it as a symbol in a dream, as per most theologies, it simply refers to a part of the body. It can be seen as deformed, well-shaped and prominent, severed from the trunk, or you may even see a body carrying two or more heads. The head could be yours or of another human being or an animal or any other living species.

As per Indian theologists, it has been specified in the Swapna Kamlakar that to see your head or that of another person being crowned would imply that you shall gain property. But should he dream that his head is cut off then he shall be defeated by his rivals. For a woman to see her head being bedecked with jewellery and flowers portends good for her should she be unmarried. Marriage would be soon on the cards. Should you dream of developing a headache, it warns you of oncoming worries oppressing you. Should the person dream of a head of a demon then be warned that you shall be overruled by desires that shall bring you shame.

As per western theory, to see a well-shaped head of a human being predicts that you shall meet persons of power and vast influence who shall lend you aid in enterprises of importance. If you should dream of your own head then you shall be troubled with a nervous breakdown. Should you see a body severed from its trunk, and blood, you will meet sickening disappointments, and your dearest hopes and anticipations shall be shattered.

Should you see yourself possessing two or more heads you shall see a rapid rise in your life but it shall not be stable and of a long duration. If you dream that your head is swollen then you shall face more of good than bad in your life. If you dream of washing your head then you shall be sought after by prominent people for your judgement and good counsel. Should you dream of your head being adorned by rich headgear, then you shall be rich and famous. If the headgear is old and worn you shall have to yield your possessions to others.

In dreams, the body often represents the ego. The head, in its turn, is considered to be the principal part of the body. As it is the seat of the life force, it denotes power and wisdom. Dreaming of the head suggests that we should look very carefully at the way we deal with both intelligence and folly.

To dream of the head being bowed suggests supplication. When the head is covered, we may be covering up our own intelligence or acknowledging somebody else’s superiority. It could also signify the need to hide your thoughts, a common trait among introverts. A blow to the head in a dream would indicate the need to reconsider our action in a particular situation.

Let us take the dream of a 37-year-old woman who had been one of the few who had been given the golden handshake by her company when she demanded maternity leave. She often saw herself and her baby with either very large heads or very small ones. This dream often got her worried that her child may be abnormal, even though the ultrasound showed that the child was normal. On being referred to a psychiatrist, it was found that the reason for this dream lay in her own financial insecurity. Having been independent for long, the thought of not getting a new job easily after the child was big enough for her to take up one made her unconsciously blame the child for the loss of her job.