Exploring Thresholds in Dreams

Praying Mantis hiding in my garden

After I typed this article’s title onto the blank page, I stared at it for a while. I thought I was experiencing writer’s block until I realized I needed to do as the title suggested…go exploring.

Looking deeply into thresholds that appear in dreams really appeals to me. This is no surprise given my passion for helping others find their unique inner voice. And to those who have worked with me before, you know my fondness for thresholds, doorways, and portals.

The more I stared at the blank page, the more I sensed that my imaginal space was being activated. I began to wonder about the times thresholds appeared in my dreams. At different times I can recall animals that shape-shifted, entrances, stairs, caves, and perceived energy shifts. In my own dream exploration as well as my work with others these dream moments became doorways to deeper understanding. How did these boundaries or places of transition become so important to me?

Clues in Unexpected Places

Some unexpected clues as to why thresholds fascinate me came to light this spring and summer. I’ve been working to understand the intricacies of astrology. Honestly, I haven’t been that drawn to the system of astrology even though in years past I’ve been curious enough to learn some basics.

As it happened, due to my ongoing studies in spirituality, I realized that I needed to focus and appreciate how the alignment of stars and planets related – or didn’t relate – to my lived experience thus far in my 70+ year journey.

I decided that I didn’t want someone to just generate my natal chart and tell me what it means. I wanted to understand myself how astrological phenomena work especially the way all the features of the chart interact and influence each other. Afterall, it’s what I recommend in dreamwork.

I often suggest discovering the personal meaning of dream symbols and figures as a first step. Spending time with your own inner work is essential before jumping too quickly to other people or resources designed to tell you what your dream symbols mean.

And so, guess what? As I looked at the interplay in my astrological chart it turns out that thresholds play a big part in my blueprint. My deeper purpose reads something like this, “You’re here to be a bridge between worlds helping others access their own transformation and healing potential….”

There are some of you who are knowledgeable about the birth chart wheel. For you it wouldn’t be difficult to understand how the planets, signs, elements, houses, and transits all collaborate to form a recognizable pattern. So, you’ll appreciate when I say that, as a novice, I was a bit surprised to have the findings of my chart reflect back a synopsis of what my life’s work has been.

Hidden Behind Doorways

As I mentioned, I’ve already made discoveries about the essence of who I am and how I present in the world. I’ve done years of inner work, not to mention writing a book as well as answering endless marketing questions to create a unique branding. What I’ve known for a long time is that Inner Wisdom is a major theme that undergirds what I do.

Growing up there wasn’t a societal structure that offered mentors or supportive elders who could help me with self-exploration. Guidance for discovering inner awareness or understanding the unique gift I bring to the world was not a part of any discussion. I believe my experience is similar to many others.

The good news is that it became my mission to help others delve into the whispers of their wisdom and experience a metamorphosis. Grounded in self-trust and inner confidence intuition finds the safety to let our unique energy flow.

My astrological chart is only one doorway confirming what I already knew to be true. It tells me that I look into the shadows to see the gifts waiting there – something I know that my Scorpio Sun with Scorpio Rising energy loves to do.

Dreams Offer Portals

Understanding dreams is one of the most important ways that we can align with our wisdom. Tapping into the treasure hidden in our dreamscape can help us begin to dispel shadows. It can help us understand how we are carrying unresolved personal clutter as well as age old universal energies from the collective. It can help us create new ways of be-ing.

To begin this journey, it helps that we are open to find missing parts of ourselves. Embrace the archetype of the explorer. Go adventuring. If we do this, we are more apt to notice the thresholds presented to us. For example, do you notice that …

• there’s a threshold between sleeping and the liminal space before waking,

• or a dream portal between conscious and unconscious wisdom, or

• a doorway in the dream narrative between your old story and new story,

• or a feeling of sacred ground between what’s known and unknown.

And for all of you who are shaking your heads right now saying that you never dream or that you have them but don’t recall any of them…I say this. Everyone has access to the dreamscape. Everyone. Because dreams don’t always happen at night.

We can access the imaginal world in our own way: night dreams, waking visions, shamanic journeying, reflective thoughts, daily journal writing, intuitive bursts of insight that come whenever they feel like it, or when you’re deep into the process of artistic creation – to name a few.

Dream exploration helps in our journey to inner wisdom, absolutely. However, like learning to read astrological charts, understanding dream symbols and recurring dream figures is just the beginning. The real mystery is learning what’s behind the symbol. What is there that the mind can’t see but our intuitive senses feel?

Our inner wisdom is already there. It’s hidden behind all the meanings of the ascendant planets and node points. It’s hovering unseen in the shadows of our dream figures.

A unique and essential energy awaits us. It’s something that we each possess.