Collective Unconscious

Looking at the dream with Amplification helps connect the dream to what Jung would call the Collective Unconscious, the part of the unconscious that is universal to all humankind. It is the deepest and least accessible part of the human unconscious.

Example Dream

We’ll be using this dream as an example throughout the next sections to demonstrate the skill of Amplification.

I am 17 years old and I’m running around a dusty track . . . running and running. I run past my mother and my old coach from high school. They are cheering me from the side to “keep going, you’re doing great!”. I “Pass Go and Collect $200” ala Monopoly when I run and cross a certain line drawn on the track. At times, the path starts to veer off into a shady forest. I can see my closest girlfriends under a tree having a picnic and laughing together. My friend calls me over to her. I have to work hard to resist taking that path and to stay on the track.

Conscious Attitude

Example Dream: This is the dream of a 32 year old who identifies as female. She struggles with a lot of anxiety and stress in her life. She tends to be perfectionistic and feels very burned out. She often feels guilty about saying no to others when she sets boundaries around her time and energy.

Dream Mood

Example Dream: The dreamer reports she remembered feeling tired in the dream, and then “blah and uninspired” when she woke up.

Amplification

Xena Warrior Princess can be seen as a story of redemption of the feminine

Psyche And Eros, Rapunzel, The Princess Who Was Hidden Underground & Snow White are stories that amplify this dream.

King of Anything

Sara Bareilles

Keep drinking coffee, stare me down across the table
While I look outside
So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet and count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em, but I never asked
So let me thank you for your time,
And try not to waste anymore of mine
And get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe, but I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

You sound so innocent, all full of good intent
Swear you know best
But you expect me to jump up on board with you
And ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost with no direction
But you'll never see
You're so busy making masks with my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down, just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

All my life I've tried to make everybody happy
While I just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn to decide

Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be?
Who died and made you king of anything?

Let me hold your crown, babe.

Examples of Amplification of the “Running the Track” dream

Chiron: The Ancient Coach

Naomi Novik’s “Spinning Silver”

Animus Possession is when a person identifying as female has become dominated by the masculine aspects of her personality often through socialization in, and coping with, a family or society that values masculine, or “yang” qualities over feminine or or “yin” qualities.

The forest as symbol of the unconscious

Some Shadow friends picnicking in the woods

I am 17 years old and I’m running around a dusty track . . . running and running”.

Numbers can be amplified in several ways. One way is to consider what was going on with the dreamer when she was 17 years old. It’s also possible that the symbol represents something that happened, or a particular state of mind, 17 years ago, either in the world or specifically with the dreamer. Another way to amplify numbers is to use the numbers themselves - “1” and “7”, or in numerology they may also use “8” as a possible symbol as 1 + 7 = 8.

Tip

Make sure the amplification resonates with the dreamer!

Putting It Together

Common Archetypal Themes Found in Dreams of People Experiencing Anxiety, Depression & Trauma

Being pursued

Losing control while driving

House in shambles

Facing a tidal wave or drowning

Losing your phone or wallet

Being in jail

Not being prepared for a test

Dark underground places

Being late

Discovering new rooms or passages

Being dressed inappropriately or being naked

Being unable to find a toilet

Teeth falling out

Death

Being unable to reach safety