Sunday, August 5, 2001		Dream theme

Dreaming of dancing
Vinaya Katoch Manhas

—Havelock

DANCE has always represented freedom and been symbolic of other actions, which were necessary for survival. In dreams, it not a very frequently seen symbol. But if dreamt about, it carries a positive meaning in most cultures. It generally portrays the creation of happiness, feeling at one with your surroundings and getting closer to and more intimate with your partner.

In Indian thought, we do not find much mention of dancing as a symbol of dream. According to Indian philosophy, to see others dance shall predict happiness and your coming together with your loved one. For a married person to see children dancing happily predicts family bliss.

But in some cultures, dancing is a ritual practised at the time of the demise of a person. Thus, as such the expression, attire and the total environment prevailing in the dream are also to be kept in mind.

As per western theologists, dancing is taken as a good omen if it appears in dreams. In this stream of thought ,too, the dancing of children merrily is taken as a good omen for the married. It signifies obedient, loving and intelligent children and a happy and comfortable home. For young people to see such a dream denotes easy tasks and many pleasures. To see old people dancing predicts good turn in your business and occupation. Should you see yourself dancing, some unexpected good fortune shallcome your way. Should you see beautiful and gaily dressed people dancing to the strains of entrancing music, it predicts lots of luck coming your way. On the contrary, should you see them gloomily dressed it does not augur well.

Psychologically, dancing can have double meaning—sometimes sexual and at other times religious. As a sexual symbol, it can denote an effort to get intimate with your partner. The movements take up significance over here. As a religious symbol, the dreamer experiences participation in events beyond his or her "I" or ego. The dance then reflects a deep accord with ones' inner self. It is a ritual identifying the dancer with the creator. It demonstrates liberation from inner constraints, the reconciliation of body and soul.

A dance seen in a dream can also be an orgy in both the lowest and highest senses.

Once a woman had come for the analysis of a dream which would occur once every month or two months. In her dream she would see herself dressed skimpily and dancing with very sexy movements in front of the mirror. She would wake up feeling very aroused. After several sittings and a thorough therapy it was found that the woman had lesbian tendencies, but when this was revealed to her she found it very difficult to accept. She was gradually convinced that it was no evil thing but if she was happy in her marriage she could simply ignore that part of her personality and continue with her life.