10.2 Different aspects of dreams – additional theory

The dream ego

The dream ego, or how the dreamer appears in his or her own dream, often gives  a picture of how the primary self is behaving. So if you dream of missing the boat, train or airplane; your pusher may be active. If you dream of doing an examination, passing the bar, your controller and/or perfectionist may be active or may be your Primary Self. 

This is true of most dreams, though not all of them. Occasionally the dream ego represents not the current primary self system (or operating ego) but instead, the disowned self.

Different themes

Being late
Missing the train/boat/airplane. If you dream of missing the boat, train or airplane; your pusher is active.

Doing an examination
If you dream of doing an examination, passing the barr, your controller and/or perfectionist may be active or may be your Primary Self. This is a familiar theme and can be quite uncomfortable.  

Car
A car in a dream is symbolic for the way we move in the world. In other words; our ‘operating ego’ (see definition). It is interesting what kind of car you are driving, who is driving the car, and where the dream ego is sitting e.g. behind the wheel or in the back. 

House
A House is often a symbol of our personality. The different rooms and floors, represent different parts of ourselves. We may discover a new room in our house. We may find that there is an unexpected cellar full of objects etc. 

Water
Water can represent our emotions and feelings. If we dream of a quiet lake, we can be at peace. If we dream of a stormy sea, we can be in emotional turmoil.

Fire
Fire can represent our passion. 

Death
Death can symbolize the end of a phase and letting go of …

End of the world, apocalypse
It is usually the end of our psychological world, in other words the end of our primary self system. It has in itself the seed of a new beginning.