April | In Your Dreams

A DREAM COLUMN

We’ve made it to spring, y’all. Let’s pat ourselves on the back for getting through the chaotic drudgery of this particular winter, and arriving in the season of dreams, at least according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. For TCM practitioners, this time of year is connected to the liver, an organ associated with the ethereal self, unconscious ideation, and our place in the bigger picture. A balanced liver allows better access to our dreams and sense of wonder and understanding of our place in the larger world. When it’s out of balance, our vision is narrower. It’s hard to see one’s self and the world clearly, and that sticky energy can come out as anger and frustration. So, how to support the liver at this time? Eat fresh veg like spinach, peas, broccoli, kale, really anything green. Easy movement like walking and yoga can help (those gentle twists are especially good!). And be careful of the wind as we transition to warmer weather in fits and starts. Don’t be bamboozled by a sunny day; bring a sweater just in case. (This advice brought to you by: moms everywhere.)

Let’s see what’s doin’ with this month’s dreamer, and her liver, shall we?

I’m standing on a busy corner, overwhelmed by people and cars rushing by me. I see my husband on the other side of the street with a bundle in his arms. It looks like a baby, but when I cross to him, he hands me the blanket and inside is a warm loaf of bread, which is both pleasant and surprising. What does it mean?

Okay, hi, that is hot as hell, and we’re not just talking about the freshly baked sourdough. Bread is a major metaphor in dreams, and in life, representing sustenance and basic necessities. And to be provided that bread in such a beautiful, intimate way, by someone you love, is enviable. This dream marital dynamic just awakened some dormant Hunger Games fantasies from over a decade ago tbh. Are you married to a real world Peeta Mellark?

Bread is a major metaphor in dreams, and in life, representing sustenance and basic necessities.

Modern life demands much of us. We’re constantly thinking about what we need to accomplish today, which leads to tomorrow, and the next day, and so on, until we spin out. It’s spiritual death by infinite task list. In times of instability, whether personal or global, our capabilities are diminished. We often feel reduced down to our most basic necessities residing at the bottom of Maslow’s eponymous hierarchy of needs: food, water, shelter. There can be shame in that narrowing, anxiety that we can’t keep up, but your dream is a reminder of the beauty of stripping down to the essentials. If you are overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle, it’s okay to pause, and go to your husband—or other beloveds—to receive love and comfort.

When we’re underwater, quick fixes are the norm. “Self-care” is an easy mantra to throw out there when you want to isolate and disconnect for the sake of mental health. And sure, there’s a time and place for coach-rotting alone with the Real Housewives. (What is going on with Dorit this season??) But there is so much research about the importance of community and connection in times of strife, it’s worth the investment of your available energy, even if it’s baby steps. Why not try couch-rotting with someone else, for instance. Or bringing a friend with you on an errand you can’t seem to get to. That small social investment will incrementally come back to you in energy and spirit. Once you’ve filled your cup, you can get back to your life’s demands, and perhaps use your newly refreshed capacity to provide a bundle of bread to someone else who needs it.

If you’ve ever woken up from a dream like, what the hell was that?, and would like to be featured in the next In Your Dreams, contact us at dreams@lunya.co with a detailed description of the inner workings of your unconscious mind. We're dreaming of hearing from you.