i was sitting with deer all gathered around me. they were nuzzling me and the young ones were sucking on my fingers and playfully biting me... one of the fawns turned into a lamb and then turned into a young blonde girl who had dirt all over her face from playing with us, probably about 6 years old. she was australian and cussing up a storm. i was like whoaaaa.... listen to that mouth (yeah very mom of me huh) and she shook her head and was like.... 'americans....'
meanwhile, in another parallel dream reality.........
kim, ella, Quixotic Fusion and i were doing a dance performance. ella was dressed like the white swan and i was doing some arabic pop and lock temple tribal fusion (i was noticeably more fluffy than i am in this one). kim had synthesized the video production and we were all watching it together, while simultaneously performing it.....
To dream of young persons indicates enjoyment. If you are young, it indicates your
sickness. You may die quickly
To dream of seeing young people, is a prognostication of reconciliation of family disagreements and favorable times for planning new enterprises.
To dream that you are young again, foretells that you will make mighty efforts to recall lost opportunities, but will nevertheless fail.
For a mother to see her son an infant or small child again, foretells that old wounds will be healed and she will take on her youthful hopes and cheerfulness. If the child seems to be dying, she will fall into ill fortune and misery will attend her.
To see the young in school, foretells that prosperity and usefulness will envelope you with favors. Yule Log.
To dream of a yule log, foretells that your joyous anticipations will be realized by your attendance at great festivities.
To see young people in your dream, indicates a fresh outlook on your life. It may also represent a more youthful aspect of yourself. Perhaps you need to be more playful and carefree.
To dream that you are young again, indicates that you are behaving childish or immaturely. Alternatively, it represents your failed attempts to rectify past mistakes. You are dwelling too much on past regrets and lost opportunities. It is time to move on toward the future.
Seeing young people in your dream, symbolizes an end to your worries and a fresh outlook on life will be gained. It may also represent the younger aspect of yourself. Dreaming that you are young again, symbolizes your failed attempts to rectify past mistakes and lost opportunities.
The word ‘temple’ derives from the root tem—’to divide’. Etruscan
soothsayers made a division of the heavens by means of two straight lines intersecting at a point directly above the head, the point of intersection being a projection of the notion of the ‘Centre’, and the lines representing the two ‘directions’
of the plane; the north-south line was called cardo and the east-west decumanus.
Phenomena were interpreted according to their situation within this division of
space. Hence, the earthly temple is seen as an image of the celestial temple and its
basic structure is determined by considerations of order and orientation (7). The
temple affords a particular and additional meaning to the generic symbolism of architectonic structures. Broadly speaking, it is the mystic significance of the
‘Centre’ which prevails; the temple and, in particular, the altar, being identified
with the symbol of the mountain-top as the focal point of the intersection of the
two worlds of heaven and earth. Solomon’s temple, according to Philo and Flavius
Josephus, was a figurative representation of the cosmos, and its interior was
disposed accordingly: the incense table signified thanksgiving; the seven-branched
candelabra stood for the seven planetary heavens; the holy table represented the
terrestrial order. In addition to this, the twelve loaves of bread corresponded to
the twelve months of the year. The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes the intelligibles
(14). Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architects, each in their own way,
sought to imitate this superior archetype. For example, between 1596 and 1604,
imaginary reconstructions of the Temple of Solomon appeared in various works
published in Rome and based upon holy writ, and the illustrations they contained
deeply influenced the architects of the period. Another fundamental significance
of the temple derives from its being a synthesis of the various symbols for the
world-axis, such as the hollow mountain, steps and the sacrificial mountain-peak
mentioned above. In certain astrobiological cultures the temple or altar is in fact
built upon an artificial mountain—the teocalli of Mexico is an example. A more
advanced concept can be seen in the architectural portrayal of those essential
elements of the inner pattern of the universe founded upon the numbers three,
seven, ten and twelve in particular. Seven is basic to the representation of the
planets and their derived symbolisms, and hence the Mesopotamian templemountains—or ziggurats—were constructed after the fashion of a seven-terraced
pyramid. Each of the terraces was dedicate to a particular planet. The Babylonian
ziggurat known as Etemenanki (‘the house of the seven directions of heaven and
earth’) was built of crude bricks overlaid with others that had been fired. A tablet
in the Louvre records that in plan it measured 2,200 feet long by 1,200 wide. The
first level was black in colour and dedicated to Saturn, the second orange-coloured
and sacred to Jupiter, the third red and consecrated to Mars, the fourth golden and
sacred to the Sun, the fifth yellow (to Venus), the sixth blue (to Mercury), the
seventh silver (to the Moon) (39). This order is not always observed, for sometimes the Moon is situated in the sixth heaven and the Sun in the seventh (17).
Berthelot, however, suggests that the ziggurat not only embraces the mystic
aspects of the Mountain and the Centre (by virtue of its mass and situation) and
of Steps (because of its shape), but also constitutes an image of paradise, since
vegetation appears to flourish on its terraces (7). The origins of this type of
structure are Sumerian (7), and examples are to be found in Egypt, India, China
and pre-Columbian America. Eliade, in confirming this, adds that the climb to the top of the Mesopotamian or of the Hindu temple-mountain was equivalent to an
ecstatic journey to the ‘Centre’ of the world; once the traveller has reached the
topmost terrace, he breaks free from the laws of level, transcends profane space
and enters a region of purity (18). It is hardly necessary to observe that climbing
mountains implies ultimately the same mystic tendency, as can be seen in the fact
that mountain heights are the chosen abode of the recluse. And the favourable
symbolic significance of the goat derives solely from his predilection for heights.
Another important example of the temple-mountain, a product of Hindu culture,
comes from Indo-China—the temple of Borobudur built in the centre of the
island of Java in the 8th century of our era. Basically it consists of four levels of
square-shaped galleries, with four more circular platforms on top surmounted by
an enclosed belvedere. In form, then, it is similar to the Egyptian ziggurat, or, in
the Khmer language, a Phnom, signifying a temple-mountain comparable with
Meru, the Hindu Olympus. Four flights of steps up the centre of each pyramid
face lead directly from the base to the top. It would appear that the profoundest
meaning attached to this temple is of a supernatural character. Its name—
Borobudur—signifies ‘the seat of secret revelation’. All graduated edifices such
as steps concern the symbolism of discontinuous spiritual evolution, that is, the
separate but progressive stages of evolution (6). At the same time, the groundplan of the Borobudur temple is diagrammatically a true yantra, and its various
square and round-shaped levels constitute a mandala related to the symbolism of
‘squaring the circle’ (6). The symbolic structure of the Greek temple is fundamentally the same as that of the lake-dwelling: that is, it symbolizes the intercommunication between the Three Worlds—the Lower (represented by the water and
the piles on the one hand and earth and the subterranean part on the other), the
Terrestrial (the base and columns) and the Upper (suggested by the pediment).
Christian cathedrals are related less to the macrocosm than to the microcosm, the
human figure being depicted in terms of the apse (representing the head), the
cross and transepts (the arms), the nave and side aisles (the body) and the altar
(the heart). In the Gothic temple, the upward sweep, the vital rôle of the vertical
axis—and indeed the structure as a whole—embrace the idea of the templemountain with its implied synthesis of the symbolism of both macrocosm and
microcosm. According to Schneider, the two towers usually placed at the western
face correspond to the twin-peaked ‘mountain of Mars’ in primitive megalithic
cultures (and linked with the Gemini myth), while the cimborrio over the transept
is expressive of a higher synthesis, an image of heaven. Both the synthesis and the
crux of the matter are established by Gershom G. Scholem, in Les Origines de la
Kabbale (Paris, 1966). He recalls that God lives in his reason or that God is the absolute Reason and logos of the world, and that the temple ‘is the house’ or
abode of God, and thus identifies temple with reason.
To see a temple in your dream, represents inspiration, spiritual thinking, meditation and growth. It is also symbolic of your physical body and the attention you give it. Perhaps you need to pamper yourself. Alternatively, the dream suggests that you are looking for a place of refuge and a place to keep things that are dear to you.
Seeing a temple in your dream, represents your spiritual thinking, meditation and growth. It is also symbolic of your physical body and the attention you give it.
To see a lock in your dream, signifies your inability to get what you want. You are being kept out of some activity or situation. Perhaps an aspect of yourself is locked up inside and it needs to be expressed.
To dream that a lock is accidentally shut around your wrist, suggests that you are debating on whether to be more open about your feelings or keep them to yourself. You feel that you are taking a major risk in letting your feelings known.
To dream of a lock, denotes bewilderment. If the lock works at your command, or efforts, you will discover that some person is working you injury. If you are in love, you will find means to aid you in overcoming a rival; you will also make a prosperous journey.
If the lock resists your efforts, you will be derided and scorned in love and perilous voyages will bring to you no benefit.
To put a lock upon your fiance'e's neck and arm, foretells that you are distrustful of her fidelity, but future episodes will disabuse your mind of doubt.
Seeing a lock in your dream means your inability to get what you want or being kept out. Perhaps an aspect of yourself is locked up inside and needs to be expressed. Dreaming that a lock is accidentally shut around your wrist, suggests that you are debating on whether to be more open about your feelings or keep them to yourself. You feel that you are taking a major risk in letting your feelings known.
A symbol of great complexity. The dedication of the swan to Apollo,
as the god of music, arose out of the mythic belief that it would sing sweetly when
on the point of death (8). The red swan is a symbol of the sun (2). But almost all
meanings are concerned with the white swan, sacred to Venus, which is why
Bachelard suggests that in poetry and literature it is an image of naked woman, of
chaste nudity and immaculate whiteness. But Bachelard finds an even deeper
significance: hermaphroditism, since in its movement and certainly in its long
phallic neck it is masculine yet in its rounded, silky body it is feminine. In sum,
then, the swan always points to the complete satisfaction of a desire, the swansong being a particular allusion to desire which brings about its own death (2).
This ambivalent significance of the swan was also well known to the alchemists,
who compared it with ‘philosophical Mercury’ (57), the mystic Centre and the
union of opposites, an interpretation entirely in accord with its archetypal implications (56). Now, in Schneider’s view, the swan, by virtue of its relationship
with the harp and the sacrificial serpent, also pertains to the funeral-pyre, because the essential symbols of the mystic journey to the other world (apart from
the death-ship) are the swan and the harp. This would afford another explanation
of the mysterious song of the dying swan. The swan also has a bearing upon the
peacock, although the situation is reversed. The swan/harp relationship, corresponding to the axis water/fire, denotes melancholy and passion, self-sacrifice,
and the way of tragic art and martyrdom. Conversely the peacock/lute relationship, linked with earth/air, is possibly a representation of logical thought (50). As
Jacques de Morgan has shown in L’Humanité préhistorique, if it was the horse
that pulled the Sun-god’s chariot by day, it was the swan that hauled his bark over
the waters by night. The relevance to this myth of the Lohengrin legend is selfevident.
To dream of seeing white swans floating upon placid waters, foretells prosperous outlooks and delightful experiences.
To see a black swan, denotes illicit pleasure, if near clear water.
A dead swan, foretells satiety and discontentment
To see them flying, pleasant anticipations will be realized soon.
To see a white swan in your dream, symbolizes grace, purity, beauty, dignity, wealth and prestige. Something or someone that may initially be unappealing can turn out to be quite attractive. It is important not to prejudge a situation or person based on the surface.
To see a black swan in your dream, signifies mystery and the unknown. It represents something that is alluring, yet forbidden.
Seeing a swan in a lake or pond, is a good omen, signaling a future of prestige and wealth. Swans are symbolic of grace, beauty, and dignity.
Swan Meaning and Swan Symbolism
Our first symbolic clues from the swan can be taken from observing them in nature. They are waterfowl, closely connected with water, even nesting near the water.
Water is symbolic of: Fluidity, Intuition, Dreaming, Emotions, Creativity.
In this respect, we can intuit the swan’s appearance in our lives as an arrow pointing to our dreamier depths and feelings. Furthermore, we get the sense of balance from swan meaning as it lives harmoniously amongst three of the four Aristotelian elements. Grounding herself on earth, lofting to great heights in the air, and winding through waters with magnificent elegance.
A quick keyword list of swan meaning:
Love
Grace
Union
Purity
Beauty
Dreams
Balance
Elegance
Partnership
Transformation
The swan may also bear messages of love and relationships. They pair for years, sometimes male-female unions are sustained for a lifetime. When the swan glides upon the waters of our awareness, it might be a symbol of love, and a reminder of the blessings found in our relationships.
The concept of partnership is further expressed on a divine level in Hinduism, wherein the swan graces vibrant traditions as the Hamsa bird. In the Saundarya Lahari (translated: “Waves of Beauty,” it’s a text filled with beautiful mantras from the Hindu perspective) two swans (Ham and Sa) pair together, swimming around in the divine mind “living on honey from the blooming lotus of knowledge.” Isn’t that a lovely concept?
In the Celtic mind, swans and geese were observed in the context of movement. Specifically, the keenly observant Celts noted their transitory nature and the swan’s pattern of migration. Consequently, the sign of the swan urged Celtic intuition to consider changes of mood (water) and heart (love).
Swan meaning is also linked to Celtic deities with solar associations, like Belanus and Lugh. As solar animals, the swan represents the rising glory of a new day as well as the farewell of an old day with the setting sun. Fittingly, the Celtic goddess Bridgid is also associated with the swan as her grace is expressed with equal elegance in the form of writing (poetry) and song.
Celtic myth also indicates when inhabitants of the Otherworld required passage to the physical land of life you and I experience every day, they would take the shape of the swan. Furthermore lore states they would travel out of the Otherworld in pairs, thus reinforcing the theme of union, bonds and partnership.
In Celtic art, gold and silver chains are often depicted around the swan's neck. I’ve read where this is symbolic of supernatural appearance of divine energy or the descent of gods to earth. I like to think the chains are symbolic of a harmony between cosmic forces; gold representing the sun, and silver symbolic of the moon. Perhaps the Celts recognized the essence of gods within the guise of the swan, and honored that power in the bird.
We see further themes of transformation and deific embodiment in Greek myth wherein Zeus (Jupiter in the Roman pantheon) transformed himself into a swan in an effort to slake his uncontrollable passion for Leda.
Symbolic swan meaning continues the theme of transformation in the tale of the Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson. Mislabeled from birth, the little duckling lives his life with the heroic heart of a swan. Indeed, after growing strong under the nurturing of kind humans, the duckling is set free, and sees its image for the first time in a reflective pool of water to discover he had “transformed” into a lovely swan.
Who doesn’t love this little fairy tale? It reminds us of our inherent glory, power and beauty (as the duckling was always a graceful swan). At the same time, the tale encourages us to have faith and have a persistent heart while pursuing the gifts that are our birthright.
In dreams, the swan asks us to spread our wings and take flight into our waking dreams. She also encourages us to strengthen our relationships, as well as make new, long-lasting bonds with people whom we admire.
White swans in dreams are symbolic of cleansing and purifying ourselves and our lives. Black swans indicate deep mysteries within us that are longing to be set free to express themselves creatively – perhaps as Bridgid would have us do, in poetry or music.
The power of the swan lies in accepting the gift of change. As the swan submits to the higher plan of the Great Spirit, it evolves from the "ugly duckling" in its youth to a graceful adult swan. Since it is willing to accept this gift, it is allowed to see into dreams. People with its power can see into the future, because they are willing to let the plan of divine power materialize. The swan teaches to bring consciousness into balance with all levels of being and develop ones intuition. It is important to admit to the ability of knowing about the future.
The swan gives you the ability to handle change and transformation with grace and dignity.
Swans show true beauty of self, expression of the power of grace and how the inner beauty of others is reflected within you. He aids in awakening your inner power for spiritual progression and developing intuition. He shows how to move through emotions along with sensitivity and empathy towards others. Swan teaches awareness to move in spiritual and physical realms along with healing and transformation for you soul growth. Are you listening to your heightened intuition? Are you trusting your hunches and feelings? She teaches the mystery of song, poetry and communication with grace and style and illuminates the beauty within. It's time for you to know more about your beautiful self, your self-worth and the awareness of the love within your heart. It is time to express yourself with grace and style.