The first time that I met the ocean, I was just starting to come of age, and I was faced with very turbulent times. I was always being made to go places I didn't want to go and do things I didn't want to do with people I didn't always like. My thoughts never stilled, my hands were always restless, and yet when I met the ocean I was still.
I have a hard time describing that experience. It had been a long drive to our vacation spot, and I was still in my pajamas, but heedless of the wet and cold I walked barefooted up to my knees in the ocean's water and just stood there, letting the waves crash over me.
I stood there for probably a good hour or two, though I can't be sure. While all the other kids were splashing around, laughing and screaming, I stood in total, oblivious silence, watching the sun fall closer and closer to the horizon.
According to Piobb, the Graeco-Roman conception of the ocean
encompassing the earth was a graphic representation of the current of energy
induced by the terrestrial globe (48). Setting aside its grandeur, the two most
essential aspects of the ocean are its ceaseless movement and the formlessness of
its waters. It is a symbol, therefore, of dynamic forces and of transitional states
between the stable (or solids) and the formless (air or gas). The ocean as a whole,
as opposed to the concept of the drop of water, is a symbol of universal life as
opposed to the particular (38). It is regarded traditionally as the source of the
generation of all life (57), and science has confirmed that life did in fact begin in the
sea (3). Zimmer observes that the ocean is ‘immense illogic’—a vast expanse
dreaming its own dreams and asleep in its own reality, yet containing within itself
the seeds of its antitheses. The island is the opponent of the ocean and symbolic
of the metaphysical point of irradiating force (60). In keeping with the general
symbolism of water, both fresh and salt, the ocean stands for the sum of all the
possibilities of one plane of existence. Having regard to its characteristics, one
may deduce whether these potentialities are positive (or germinant) or negative
(destructive) (26). The ocean, then, denotes an ambivalent situation. As the begetter of monsters, it is the abysmal abode par excellence, the chaotic source
which still brings forth base entities ill-fitted to life in its aerial and superior
forms. Consequently, aquatic monsters represent a cosmic or psychological situation at a lower level than land-monsters; this is why sirens and tritons denote a
sub-animal order. The power of salt water to destroy the higher forms of land-life
means that it is also a symbol of sterility, so confirming the ambivalent nature of the ocean—its contradictory dynamism (32). The ocean is also to be found as a
symbol of woman or the mother (in both her benevolent and her terrible aspects)
(56). As Frobenius comments in Das Zeitalter des Sonnengottes: ‘If the blood-red
sunrise is interpreted as the “birth” of an astral body, then two questions arise:
Who is the father? And how did the mother come to conceive? And since she, like
the fish, is a sea-symbol, and since our premiss is that the sun plunges into the sea
and yet is born in it, the answer must be that the sea previously swallowed up the
old sun and the appearance of a “new sun” confirms that she has been fecundated.
The symbolism here coincides with that of Isis whose twin lunar horns embrace
the sun.’ This appearance of the sun and its disappearance back into the deeps of
the ocean confirm that the ‘Lower Waters’ signify the abyss out of which forms
arise to unfold their potentialities within existence. Thus, the ocean is equated
also with the collective unconscious, out of which arises the sun of the spirit (32).
The stormy sea, as a poetic image or a dream, is a sign of an analogous state in the
lower depths of the affective unconscious. A translucent calm, on the other hand,
denotes a state of contemplative serenity.
To see an ocean in your dream, represents the state of your emotions and feelings. It is indicative of spiritual refreshment, tranquility and renewal. Alternatively, the dream means that you are feeling empowered and unhindered. You have a positive outlook in life and are not limited by anything. If you are sailing across the ocean, then it signifies new found freedom and independence. You are showing great courage. If the ocean is rough, then the dream represents some emotional turmoil. You are doing your best to handle life's ups and downs.
The state of life will be as the ocean is perceived to be in dream, viz., calm and
peaceful life when the ocean is calm and troublesome life when the ocean is stormy, etc.
To dream of the ocean when it is calm is propitious.
The sailor will have a pleasant and profitable voyage.
The business man will enjoy a season of remuneration,
and the young man will revel in his sweetheart's charms.
To be far out on the ocean, and hear the waves lash the ship, forebodes disaster in business life, and quarrels and stormy periods in the household.
To be on shore and see the waves of the ocean foaming against each other, foretells your narrow escape from injury and the designs of enemies.
To dream of seeing the ocean so shallow as to allow wading, or a view of the bottom, signifies prosperity and pleasure with a commingling of sorrow and hardships.
To sail on the ocean when it is calm, is always propitious.
Seeing an ocean in your dream, represents the state of your emotions and feelings. It is indicative of some spiritual refreshment, tranquility and renewal.
It traditionally represents our great unconscious, memories, emotions, and individual soul and collective experiences. Look at all of the details in this dream. Is the water clear or murky? Is it calm or turbulent? Are you catching fish, or are you stranded and afraid? Look, listen, and try to comprehend the messages in this dream. No one is in a better position to give meaning to your dreams than you can. Concentrate and learn for yourself.
To dream that you are in a meeting, suggests that you need to redirect your energies toward a more productive endeavor. Alternatively, the dream means that you are learning to accept various aspects of yourself and integrating them into your personality.
To dream that you are late or miss a meeting, signifies anxieties that you are not measuring when it comes to achieving your goals. You may unprepared in some situation or challenge in your waking life.
Dreaming that you are in a meeting, suggests that you need to redirect your energies toward a more productive endeavor. Alternatively, you are learning to accept various aspects of yourself and integrating these various parts. Dreaming that you are late or miss a meeting means anxieties that you are not measuring when it comes to your professional life and toward achieving your goals. You may feel unprepared in some situation or challenge in your waking life.
To hear laughing or dream that you are laughing, suggests that you need to lighten up and let go of your problems. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Laughing is also a sign of joyous release and pleasure. If you are being laughed at, then it indicates your insecurities and fears of not being accepted.
To hear evil, demonic laughing in your dream, represents feelings of humiliation and/or helplessness. You feel that someone is working against you.
To dream that you laugh and feel cheerful, means success in your undertakings, and bright companions socially.
Laughing immoderately at some weird object, denotes disappointment and lack of harmony in your surroundings.
To hear the happy laughter of children, means joy and health to the dreamer.
To laugh at the discomfiture of others, denotes that you will wilfully injure your friends to gratify your own selfish desires.
To hear mocking laughter, denotes illness and disappointing affairs.
Dreaming that you are laughing, suggests that you need to lighten up and let go of your problems. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Laughing is also a sign of joyous release and pleasure. Hearing the cheerful laughter of children indicates splendid joy and vital health. Hearing evil, demonic laughing in your dream, represents feelings of humiliation and/or helplessness.
To dream about the hour, refers to a passage of time. The dream may serve to remind you of an appointment, deadline, or anniversary. Consider the significance of a particular number or any superstitions that may be associated with a particular hour. For example,12pm represents some confrontation or turning point.
To dream about happy hour, represents sensual enjoyment, stimulation, and relaxation. You are filled with inspirational power and enlightenment. Alternatively, it indicates avoidance in dealing with your problems and in facing your anxieties.
Dreaming about the hour, refers to a passage of time. The dream may serve to remind you of an appointment, deadline, or anniversary. Consider the significance of a particular number or any superstitions that may be associated with a particular hour. For example, 12pm represents some confrontation or turning point. Dreaming about happy hour, represents sensual enjoyment, stimulation, and relaxation. You are filled with inspirational power and enlightenment. Alternatively, it indicates avoidance in dealing with your problems and in facing your anxieties.
To dream that you are in a car crash, indicates that your beliefs, lifestyle, or goals are clashing with another's. It may also represent a shocking situation or painful experience. Alternatively, car crashes may forewarn of your dangerous or careless driving habits.
To dream that a plane crashes, signifies that you have set overly high and unrealistic goals for yourself. You are in danger of having those goals come crashing down. Alternatively, the crashing airplane represents your lack of confidence, self-defeating attitude and self-doubt. You do not believe in your own ability to achieve those goals. Loss of power and uncertainty in achieving your goals are also signified.
Dreaming that you are in a car crash indicates that your beliefs, lifestyle, or goals are clashing with another's. It may also represent a shocking situation or painful experience. Alternatively, car crashes may forewarn of your dangerous or careless driving habits. Dreaming that a plane crashes means that you have set overly high and unrealistic goals for yourself and are in danger of having it come crashing down. Alternatively, your lack of confidence, self-defSeeing or eating attitude and self-doubt toward the goals you have set for yourself is represented by the crashing airplane; you do not believe in your ability to attain those goals. Loss of power and uncertainty in achieving your goals are also signified.
There is a Chinese tradition that the waves are the abode of dragons,
and that they are also symbolic of purity (5). The apparent contradiction here
arises from the fact that the ocean swell offers two different aspects: because of
their rhythmic undulations they are reminiscent of dragons, and by virtue of their
white foam they suggest purity. There is thus no question of dual tendencies
here—only juxtaposition.
To dream of waves, is a sign that you hold some vital step in contemplation, which will evolve much knowledge if the waves are clear; but you will make a fatal error if you see them muddy or lashed by a storm.
To see clear, calm waves in your dream, signify renewal and clarity. You are reflecting on some important life decision that needs to be made. Alternatively, if you are riding a wave, then it indicates that you are trying to get a handle on your emotions. Waves also symbolize potential and power.
To hear waves crashing in your dream, indicates tenderness and relaxation. It also brings about feelings of sensuality, sexuality and tranquility.
To dream that you are caught in a tidal wave, represents an overwhelming emotional issue that demands your attention. You may have been keeping your feelings and negative emotions bottled up inside for too long. You may be holding back tears that you are afraid to express in your waking life. On a positive note, the tidal wave symbolizes the clearing away of old habits. If you are carried away by the tidal wave, then it means that you are ready to make a brand new start in a new place.
To see muddy, violent waves in your dream, indicate a fatal error in an important decision.
Seeing clear, calm waves in your dream means a calming of emotions. It may also signal an important decision to be made. Hearing waves crashing in your dream indicates tenderness and relaxation. It also brings about feelings of sensuality and sexuality. Dreaming that you are caught in a tidal wave means the strength of your emotions, perhaps accompanied by tears that you are holding back in your waking life. Seeing muddy, violent waves in your dream means that a fatal error was made in an important decision.