Low Life | 24 January 2009

Over the Christmas holiday I read a collection of essays edited by Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols, which Jung kicks off with an essay entitled ‘The Importance of Dreams’. Dreams ought to be taken seriously, says Jung. They are a specific expression of the unconscious and as such ought to be treated as facts. He concedes that a fact expressed by the unconscious, primitive, symbol-encrusted part of the mind is never going to be easy for the contemporary, rational, conscious part of the mind to interpret with any certainty. But Jung contends that anyone equipped with an understanding of primitive symbolism can learn to interpret correctly at least some of their dreams, and perhaps take advantage of the guidance and prophesy that is being constantly offered by the unconscious mind.

I need all the advice and prophesy I can get at the moment, so I’ve been keeping a notebook and pencil by my bed, along with Jung’s book to refer to, and without fail I’ve written up my dreams on waking each morning.