I like to write in bed, first thing in morning. As I worked with today’s prompt, I ended up writing about my dream journal, where I record the night’s dream(s) and my associations and insights.
As I write one scene, often more scenes surface. I might remember and write four or even five scenes on a particuarly abundant morning.
Once in a while I do more with the dream. For example, I might dialogue with a dream character.
This summer I dreamt of a sasquatch on another planet. In the dream she felt big and scary (thank goodness she was outside my spaceship, though she looked big and ominous with her Sasquatch head pressed against the glass window).
After dialoguing with the Sasquatch, she became something of a cross between a spirit guide and a goddess-figure. I still picture her from time to time in a pool of water filled with phosphorescent water creatures, deep in a cave that opens to a star filled sky. Sasquatch helps me feel safe to explore deep emotions and memories.
Your Turn. Do you journal your dreams?
What techniques do you use to explore the multiple layers of meaning?
And where do you like to journal? Does a particular space inspire a particular type of journaling? Feel free to share a comment below with your response to the Day 4 prompt from The Joy of Writing Journal. Or share your response to the dream journal questions above.
Dream journals hold a fascination for me but I regret to say I have not found the space to enact them. It’s a pity really as I regularly have vivid dreams that I will sometimes share with my husband over coffee. I am often afoot on energetic quests with many twists and turns with unexpected accomplices. I can awaken from a crazy dream and then fall back to sleep and resume the same dream activities. It’s very curious and enjoyable in an Alice in Wonderland kind of way. I think this is my way of processing things that “eat at me” or perplex me in some way. I wonder, does everyone have consecutive dream experiences?
Mary Ann, it sounds like your dream life is quite rich! Enjoy. Some people have consecutive dream experience but I’m not sure how common it is.
Day 4 – Prompt – I like to write in my backyard overlooking the pond.
When I step out of the house, I am greeted by the serenity of Earth’s magnificence. I sit on my deceased Mother’s favorite garden swing overlooking the acre pond, which is surrounded by grand majestic trees
on three sides. I enter a whole new world giving me a grand vista of nature’s beauty. I breath in the scents of the season’s offerings, opening to the sounds of birdsong playing upon my heart strings. A Great Blue Heron graces the sky looking for a perfect spot to support his landing. He chooses a limb from a dead and fallen tree over the water’s edge to patiently wait for his morning meal. I slip into a no-time zone internally, while watching the elegance of this regal bird assuming his stately posture. His presence assures me life is good. I pick up my pencil and words flow from the water’s edge.