Essentially, these dream symbols are trying to communicate that the dreamer is currently experiencing a significant emotional confinement that is hindering her progress in life. This feeling of being "held prisoner" largely stems from unresolved conflicts or negative experiences connected to masculine figures, particularly her father, and from neglected or rejected aspects of her own inner masculine qualities (her "animus").
Analyzing A Sample Dream: Crazy Insane Man
Dream: A man walks into a cell, confronting his friend who suddenly went insane. the cell is filled with knee high water, the man enters wading in the water, his friend sits in the water at chest height. The room is dark, barely any light, the walls blackened and rusted.
This is my original analysis as posted at the
Power of Dreams Dream Forum
This is a dream by a 23 year old female posted on the Power of Dreams Dream Forum. It is my analysis of the opening paragraph of the dream but goes to the emotional state of the dreamer's psyche and pretty much laid out what the dream message was (my analysis was verified by the dreamer in her response). The dreamer was able to recognize from the amplification of the symbolic images and actions how they fit with her actual life experiences and personal psych(ology).
Note: The only information I had about the dreamer was her age and gender (as is the case with most all dreams posted at the Dream Forum). Using this method of amplifying the images and actions I am able to provide an outline of the emotional energies that govern the dreamer's emotional life. This is generally sufficient for the dreamer to recognize the associations between the amplified images/actions and their personal life. My analysis of the opening paragraph (which lays the ground for what the dream is about) was enough for her to recognize the associations (see below: her response was, "You hit the nail on the head").
Amplification of Symbols
The Images & Actions
Dream: Crazy Insane Man Dream
Click on words in red will take you to that word in dream dictionary
1-man walks into cell
- going through life being held prisoner by masculine aspects/male experiences
- ---man-masculine aspect
- ---walks-progressing through life
- ---into cell-held prisoner {cell} by inner emotions {into}
man-masculine aspect
This would represent inner masculine aspects in a female (Jung's animus) as well as a literal male in the dreamer's life. As an inner masculine aspect the female dreamer is held hostage to what was lacking in her relationship with a particular male (in this case and as in many cases her father) which can influence relationships with men in later life.
As for the literal application. We know from the dreamer's response (see below: Dreamer's Response) there were serious issues with her father. These issues with her father are the emotional energies, the inner masculine aspects, that affect her life as an adult. The man in a literal application would likely be her father
Note: As an analyst I would need to know the personal information from the dreamer's response about her father to state who the man is. Otherwise I could only provide an outline of masculine aspects and not the literal application
walks
Walking in a dream usually means progression in life. Because of the emotional issues/relationship with her father as well as the inner masculine aspects that have been negatively affected by the relationship the dreamer's progression has been 'adulterated', weakened. Her life has been greatly affected by the experiences and relationship affecting progress in life and likely affecting personality.
into cell
A cell is where you are held prisoner (link to cell will take you to word prisoner). Emotionally she is being held prisoner by the negative relationship with her father. I noted the 'into' because it would point inward, a psychological condition more so than a literal prisoner (although there may be associations related to her present relationship with her father which is 'constrained').
Translation:
2-confronting his friend who suddenly went insane
- rejected masculine aspect/retreat from reality/aspects that are out of control
- ---confronting
1] emotional aspects/inner and outer masculine conflicts that need acknowledgement/resolution
2] literally confronting a male you have repudiated {his friend} - ---his friend-rejected masculine aspects {when acknowledged will lead to healing/positive aspect}
- ---suddenly went insane-withdrawal from reality/waking ego life
Additional Amplification
confronting-a conflict or a fear the dreamer is facing in her waking life and one that needs acknowledgement. Possibly a need to confront an actual male in her life that is or has caused emotional distress (father)
his friend-inner masculine aspects that have been diminished/rejected which in her waking life could cause a 'diminished' perspective of herself (such as low self esteem). Once these issues are confronted and resolved the masculine/animus aspects becomes a 'friend'. The dream is attempting to help resolve the masculine issues.
suddenly went insane-personality issues as a result of male experiences and inner masculine aspects. When you go insane you withdraw from normalcy. This can cause a loss of control over her conscious life.
Translation:
Essentially, the dream is urging the dreamer to address long-standing emotional conflicts and reclaim aspects of their masculine identity that have been repressed or negatively impacted by past experiences, particularly those involving male figures.
3-cell is filled with knee high water
- consciously restriction with unconscious energies causing feelings of inadequacy
- ---cell-restricted aspects in personal growth
- ---filled-total self full of emotional energies
- ---knee high water-small part of self controlling your emotions
Additional Amplification
cell-the restricted aspects related to masculine/male issues affecting personal growth. An inner prison.
filled-her whole life has been affected by the negative experiences.
knee high water-water is a common symbol for the unconscious and emotional energies. These are unconscious energies (related to masculine aspects) affecting personality, attitudes and her life in general. Possible issues with overall masculine relationships. The knee represents the level of emotional energies which results in feelings of inadequacy (low self esteem). Issues of power/control are involved, of her own inner aspects and possible power/control of her father (or the relationship with him).
Translation:
This dream segment reveals that the dreamer feels confined and limited in her personal growth due to powerful, unconscious emotional energies. These energies, often linked to past negative experiences with male figures or her own masculine traits, are causing profound feelings of inadequacy and are impacting her personality and overall life progression. The dream suggests these issues of emotional control are deeply ingrained and affect her sense of self-worth.
4-man enters wading in the water
- masculine aspects controlling emotions
- ---man enters-surreptitious (unconscious) energies infiltrating masculine aspects
- ---wading in water-power and control (wading) of unconscious energies (water)
Additional Amplification
Translation:
This short segment points to the dreamer's masculine aspects {father relationship} being actively influenced and potentially controlled by unconscious emotional forces. There's a subtle but significant interplay where the dreamer is either attempting to navigate these deep-seated emotions or is being subtly overpowered by them.
5-his friend sits in water at chest high
- emotionally submissive to unconscious rejected aspects of inadequacy
- ---his friend-rejected/imposing masculine aspects
- ---sits-passive/submissive
- ---in water-unconscious energies
- ---chest high-level of the heart/emotions
Additional Amplification
Translation:
This dream segment essentially suggests the dreamer is in a state of emotional submission to unresolved or neglected masculine aspects within herself. This passivity is deeply rooted in her childhood relationship with her father and is profoundly affecting her emotional core, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
6-the room is dark
- a specific aspect exists in the unconscious
- ---room-a specific aspect
- ---is dark-exists in the unconscious
Additional Amplification
Translation:
This segment essentially means there's a particular part of the dreamer's self or life that remains hidden or unrecognized in their unconscious. The darkness indicates a lack of conscious awareness or understanding of this specific aspect.
7-barely any light
Additional Amplification
Translation:
This part of the dream essentially means the dreamer has very little understanding or conscious insight into a particular situation or aspect of their life. The scarcity of light highlights a strong lack of clarity.
8-walls are blackened and rusted
- barriers and limitations that exist in the unconscious causing damage because of neglect
- ---walls are-barriers/limitations exists
- ---blackened-unconsciously
- ---rusted-neglected/damaged
Additional Amplification
Translation:
This part of the dream essentially conveys that the dreamer is facing unconscious barriers or limitations that have been neglected over time, leading to internal damage or stagnation. The dream points to the detrimental effects of these unaddressed psychological obstacles.
Summary of Total Analyzed Parts
- going through life being held prisoner by masculine aspects/male experiences
- rejected masculine aspect/retreat from reality/aspects that are out of control
- consciously restriction by unconscious energies causing feelings of inadequacy
- masculine aspects controlling emotions
- emotionally submissive to unconscious aspects of inadequacy
- a specific aspect exists in the unconscious
- scarce understanding/illumination
- barriers and limitations that exist in the unconscious causing damage/feelings of inadequacy
Summary of Opening Dream Statement
You are going through life being held prisoner by emotional energies related to masculine characteristics*/characters. These controlling energies cause a retreat from reality because they lead to a loss of control of your emotional self. Consciously this results in feelings of inadequacy. There is a specific unconscious aspect, probably the result of a negative experience(s) in life, that consciously you are not aware of (at least not fully) that is the cause of the feelings of inadequacy.
Comments
The feelings of inadequacy are usually the result of early life 'learning'/experiences. The masculine aspect would be, on one level, a lack of development with/in masculine aspects (example: not having a father in early life or a father that did not fulfill his proper role which causes a lack of inner masculine traits). On another level it could point to actual negative masculine experiences which psychologically are at the center of your feelings of inadequacy (self esteem may be a more appropriate word). These experiences have caused limitations to your personal growth which is essential in living a fulfilling life. You can not reach your potential as long as these energies exist.
Let me know your thoughts as I work on the rest of the dream. In my analysis of this dream I am testing how well consulting my dream dictionaries works. I is the process of creating a page(s) that will allow a person to analyze/interpret their own dreams using my dream dictionaries. Thus far, from the amplification of the opening sentence, the results looks good.
Dreamer's Response to Analysis
You hit the nail on the head. This dream was from years ago I was roughly 17 at the time, sorry if I didn't include that information. I was going through some heavy mental health issues, some had steam from the situation I was in living overseas. Some from a divorce with my parents, and some from childhood issues with my father.
My Mother always recounted our good relationship as mother and daughter, she said my father was jealous of it. Things only became worse when I grew older. At its zenith, I seriously began to retreat into a fantasy world, recreating a world I wanted in a virtual reality game.
During this time, the nightmares had started too. They weren't as violent until between 16-22 years of age. However, they did wake me up in the middle of the night, feeling as though I was going to vomit.
I'm not going to discuss anymore personal details than that, its just to add context to what you had analyzed. Which is completely correct.I understand this is a dream interpretation forum, not a place to air out all my grievances. And honestly I have been getting better, I'm pretty much over the mental health issues, a few things pop up here and there though.
Thank you for your time and analyses.