These dreams often contain archetypal images, making these prophetic dreams more likely to be success predictors (since human beings have operated pretty much the same over the centuries). Prophetic dreams, like the progressive dreams, require some detail, for the lessons to be learned are not easily delivered. Some context has to be provided for the prophecy to make sense. Credibility is critical, so the dream-maker (serving as the prophet) must provide sufficient evidence and draw out a lengthy, detail-filled story. Though an appropriate analogy and a parable or two always help!
Recurring Dreams
Recurring dreams contain the same characters, the same surroundings, and usually the same dominant theme. They often seem to address an unmet need or an unresolved issue. French and Fromm (1964) would suggest that these dreams focus on focal conflicts that are not easily resolved. I introduced their concept in my essay on the Pelican dream (Bergquist, 2023a). At other times, the recurring dream concerns an unresolved traumatic experience from earlier in life. The dreamer keeps trying out ways to address or avoid this trauma. These trauma-based dreams often appear as repeated nightmares (yet another form of torture).
As in the case of the progressive dream, the recurrent dream is likely to be long, drawn out, and slow-burning. Though one of the later recurrent dreams might be short and brutal, if a cautionary message is to be delivered. This short version of the recurrent dream serves as a “wake-up” reminder of the theme(s) conveyed in previous editions of this recurrent negative dream. Fortunately, some of the recurring dreams are very positive. They need not be very creative. Instead, they may repeatedly convey a pleasant experience that actually occurred, or a pleasant experience that we hope will occur (or wish had occurred) in our life.
The recurring dream might even be a lesson taught us by our dream-maker regarding how we might better live our life. These dreams often come with an envisioned reward for “good behavior.” It is interesting to note (and perhaps disturbing to note) that my own studies of recurring dreams suggest that men often receive their “reward” standing alone on the podium, whereas women often accept the award while gathering with their entire family on the podium. Unfortunately, the differing socialization of many men and women (in traditional societies) often shows up in their dreams: men tend to be individualists while women tend to be collectivists (Chodorow, 1999).
Task-Based Dreams
Some of our dreams are focused on tasks that align with the work we are doing during the day. We are planning during the day, and now we are planning in our dreams. We are writing a novel during the day, and now we are engaged in writing for our novel in a dream. Unfortunately, the work we have done in our dream can’t be saved. It is hard work that goes to waste (in most instances). There is an adage: “dreaming doesn’t make it real.” This appears to be the case.
