Reverse image of Statute at the Ming Tombs
~ Original photo courtesy of Steve Byrne
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
~ Carl Jung

The Imaginal Landscape

Landscape characteristics give clues to the dreamer's attitude, outlook, or perspective. They are markers of the dreamer's current emotional, mental, physical, and intuitive response to his/her environment and circumstances. When observing the landscape of any one dream consider it within the context of the recent cluster of dreams. What follows are a few of the more common landscape indicators, by no means an exhaustive list. It is important to know that all "meanings" given are subject to personal shadings in interpretation. The language of dreams is first and foremost the language of your own subconscious and therefore no fixed meanings can be given.

Water: the emotional indicators

ocean - the maternal source of all life; the power of that which creates on the one hand and wears down on the other. An emotional influence capable of overwhelming power both positively and negatively.

river - channel or focus of emotional energy in the larger, social environment.

  • Upstream: a source or the future
  • Downstream: an outlet or the past

stream - channel or focus of emotional energy in the personal environment.

ponds/pools - reflection of self on a personal level.

swamps - place where one is emotionally stuck or mired.

  • creature emerging: unrecognized or feared aspects of self.

wells - emotional entrapment or, depending upon the condition/usuage of the well, emotional nourishment (i.e., drawing cool, clear water from the well)

crossing bodies of water - crossings are transitional phases and as such are always very important. In the case of crossing water, it is an emotional transition. The scene and action of the dream will tell you how you are dealing with the transition. The form of conveyance used for the crossing will tell you whether you are utilizing personal knowing or social paradigms to guide you (i.e., a small boat vs. an ocean liner with many other people on board).
 

Earth: the sensory physical indicators

Mountains/hills/inclines/steps/ladders - the masculine or paternal world; relation to authority & rivalry issues; the heighth of the incline indicates level of aspiration; one's willingness to climb indicates motivation; the view from the top of an incline indicates what one is preoccupied with, the focus; a panorama vs. myopic view indicates openness vs. narrow-mindedness.

Walls/blockades/physical obstructions - defensive structures

Caves - unconscious needs and desires; the creative unconscious; an encounter with the world of the earthy interior -- personal fantasy level. Figures within the cave represent unrecognized thought or behavioral patterns, deeply repressed wishes, unconsciously initiated actions.

Tunnels - a transition. The size of the entrance or exit represents constriction or expansiveness.

Pit - Cognitive or behavioral imprisonment.
 

Fire: intellectual, mental indicators

Volcano - accumulated aggressive energies, eruptive processes; undirected, strong, unbridled impulses. An eruption of this energy is uncontrolled and destructive in a random manner.

Fireplace - contained energy with the potential for warmth.

Stove - contained energy with the purpose of preparing nourishment.

Bombs - negative energies unleashed at specific targets.
 

Air: Intuitive, mental indicators

Tornado - an intuitive sense of upcoming sudden or unexpected disorganizing change or vortex of destructive energy that presents as uncontrolled or random in action.

Hurricane - an expected, somewhat predictable vortex of destructive energy or disorganizing change which has the possiblity of affecting a larger portion of self than just the identified ego self, with possible consequences for others as well.

Gentle, warm breezes vs. strong, hot or cold breezes -  an intuitive knowing of upcoming changes either favorable or unfavorable.