Big Dreams & the Collective Unconscious

Introduction:

Dreams have long been a source of fascination and inquiry, holding a mirror to our innermost thoughts, fears, and desires. Among these, “big” dreams stand out due to their vivid imagery, emotional intensity, and lasting impact. These dreams are not just personal experiences but are deeply intertwined with Jung’s concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious. By examining “big” dreams, we can gain insights into the universal symbols and themes that shape our individual and collective psyches.

Why Study “Big” Dreams:

1. Insight into the Collective Unconscious: Exploring “big” dreams can provide profound insights into the shared psychic inheritance of humanity.
2. Cultural and Personal Transformation: These dreams can initiate significant personal and cultural transformations, fostering healing and growth.
3. Understanding Archetypal Patterns: Analyzing big dreams helps in recognizing recurring archetypal patterns, which can enhance our understanding of human psychology and behavior.

Understanding “Big” Dreams:

“Big” dreams are unforgettable. In many ways, they come to us because we have forgotten. The story of Black Elk, a revered spiritual leader, encapsulates this idea, noting, “You can see that it is not the grass and the water that have forgotten” (Black Elk, Chapter 2). Such dreams carry a sense of sacredness, often overwhelming the dreamer with their depth and significance. A big dream is charged with emotional numinosity, a feeling of the sacred, and comes down on us in an overwhelming way, often leaving an indelible mark on the dreamer. As Bulkeley (2008) suggests, the flood of meaning in big dreams can catalyze change not only in individuals but also in cultures and nations, fostering healing and expanding imaginative and religious sensitivity (Bulkeley pg.273).

These dreams are accessible to everyone, not just a select few. According to Jung, true leaders are not the ones with military prowess, but the ones who are capable of self-reflection and are able to relieve the dead weight of society that has accumulated over time (CW 10, p. 154). 

Big dreams often hint at the future, addressing the invisible and embryonic issues already forming within society. Jung says, “Few noticed the grain of mustard-seed that was destined to grow into a great tree.” (CW 10 pg.142). Because every individual problem is connected to the problem of the age (CW 10 pg.152), the culmination of suppressed creativity and meaning within individuals pushes to the surface, regenerating civilization (CW 10, p. 143). When shared, these visions, like those of Black Elk, can illuminate and heal communities by compensating for cultural imbalances (CW 10, p. 143).

Big Dreams and Archetypes:

Jung posited that big dreams frequently contain mythological motifs, transcending local and global boundaries (CW 10, p. 152). Black Elk’s visions, for example, are replete with archetypal structures recognized in Depth psychology. In Chapter 3 of his narrative, numerous archetypes and mythological motifs emerge, with the collective unconscious prominently represented. The bay horse speaking to Black Elk, saying, “Behold them! Their history you shall know” (Black Elk, Chapter 3), exemplifies this.

Several archetypes are evident in Black Elk’s visions. The number four, symbolizing the Jungian Self, appears through animals marching four by four, four virgins, and references to the four quarters, correlating with the four cardinal points in astrology. The number twelve, linked to the Zodiac and time, subtly reinforces astrological motifs. The libido is depicted through horses, with opposing sets of twelve black and twelve white horses. This motif, combined with the “six powers of the world” or “six grandfathers,” forms a star of David-like union of above and below. The great hoop, representing the mandala archetype, and the holy tree also appear. The sacred stick, an archetype of the phallus, symbolizes unity and creativity, resembling the Shiva lingam, uniting masculine and feminine energies. References to colors such as black, white, rainbow, red, and yellow evoke alchemical motifs.

While these components may appear flat when written, they gain depth and meaning through personal experience. Reflecting on big dreams and their relationship to archetypes and the collective unconscious can transform individuals into leaders capable of relieving societal burdens through the potential meanings these dreams bring to our time.

Alchemy and Big Dreams:

Exploring dreams through the lens of alchemy can provide additional layers of understanding. The green stone emerging from the lake in a dream, for instance, symbolizes the Lapis Philosophorum being created from the Prima Materia. This lapis, representing the Self, signifies individual and collective redemption, as Jung noted, “Society is the sum total of individuals in need of redemption” (CW 10, Para 536).

A dream featuring a black lake during a sandstorm, a wild man, and a bull presents rich alchemical imagery. The black lake represents the prima materia, the original chaos from which the philosopher’s stone emerges. This symbolism aligns with Edinger’s alchemical method, where dark moods or painful material must be separated to create the philosopher’s stone. The bull’s sacrifice mirrors the mythological image of Mithras slaying the bull, a rite of spiritual initiation. This dream likely reflects the conflict between aggressive thinking and the natural self, symbolized by the bull, culminating in a need for balance and individuation.

Comparison Table:

Jungian Ideas	Eastern Esoteric Concepts
Archetypes	Universal symbols and deities
Collective Unconscious	Akashic Records, collective spiritual memory
Self	Atman, true self
Individuation	Enlightenment, self-realization
Mandala	Yantra, sacred geometry
Prima Materia	Prakriti, primal matter
Alchemy	Spagyrics, transformation through nature

Conclusion:

In conclusion, studying “big” dreams offers profound insights into the collective unconscious, fosters personal and cultural transformation, and enhances our understanding of archetypal patterns. By examining these dreams through the lenses of Jungian psychology and alchemical symbolism, we can unlock deeper layers of meaning and potential for healing and growth. As we reflect on and share these dreams, we become true leaders, capable of lifting societal burdens and regenerating our communities.

Resources:

• Bulkeley, K. (2008). Dreaming in the World’s Religions: A Comparative History. New York: New York University Press.
• Jung, C. G. (1970). The Meaning of Psychology for Modern Man (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). In H. Read et al. (Eds.), The Collected Works of C. G. Jung (Vol. 10, 2nd ed., pp. 134-156). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1934)
• Black Elk. (n.d.). Retrieved from Welcome Home

Through this exploration, we not only gain a deeper understanding of ourselves but also contribute to the collective wisdom that can guide our society towards a more balanced and harmonious future.