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Working
with Dream Color
Robert
Hoss, MS, author Dream Language
Research in the field of Color Psychology
has shown that humans respond both physiologically and emotionally to color;
the autonomic nervous system and brain respond directly and subliminally in
a fairly predictable manner as a person is illuminated with specific colors.
This phenomenon may involve the limbic system which associates emotional
memories with whatever our senses take in. This author’s research has shown
color to relate to the same neurological processes and thus the same
emotional associations in the dream state as in the waking state. It is
likely that the limbic system is involved here as well, because is highly
active in the dream state. The author has found that dream color more often
relates to inner FEELINGS the dream is dealing with, and less often to what
the color reminds you of, although any associations or memories that arise
as you work with your dreams are worthy of exploring.
Because color in the dream and
waking state relates to similar emotions, a table of common subliminal
emotional responses to color is provided (reverse side) to help stimulate
your own associations with your dream colors. The table was derived from
color psychology research and literature, in large part the Color Test
by Dr. Max Luscher, augmented with the works of C. G. Jung. The
statements in the table are NOT the “meaning” of dream color and should not
be used as a dictionary of color meaning – they are simply designed to
trigger your own personal “aha” or “connection” with feelings or a situation
in your life that the dream might be dealing with. They may or may not
describe your situation exactly since they are based on responses from a
general population. You may find that only one or two statements within a
color cell relate to your specific situation, whereas the others do not.
This is exactly how it was designed. The statements are variations around an
emotional theme reported to be associated with that color. They provide a
spectrum of emotions, from being filled with the emotion, to needing more of
that emotional stimulus. If the table does not trigger an association then
try freely associating by imagining being totally illuminated by your dream
color and asking, “how do I FEEL in the presence of that color.” First
explore the feelings that surface before pursuing memories or what the color
reminds you of.
1)
Select the colored images from your dream
that you
feel are important or that you feel emotionally drawn to. It is best to
work with something that is not a commonly colored object (like green
grass), unless it stands out. Work with a colored image where the color is
optional (such as a red hat, a blue car). Also if you notice the presence
of a grouping of the 4 “psychological primaries” (Red, Yel, Blue, Green) it
may relate to the dream’s attempt at finding completion or closure related
to something happening in your life. Work on whichever color appears most
active, or if it appears that one color is obviously missing (only 3 colors
present in the group), then work on the missing color as if it is something
missing in your life needed to bring about closure or harmony.
2)
Pick the color in
the table that best matches the color
of the dream image. Don’t worry if there is
not a perfect match. The tables are not intended to reveal the meaning of
that color but rather to trigger your own associations from the general
emotional themes.
·
Single Color:
use the table to select the closest matching color.
·
Color
Pair: If an image
contains a pair of colors, explore
the possibility that the two colors might represent conflicting emotions
about a situation you are in. Use the table on each color separately and
contrast the associations and feelings they trigger.
3)
Read each expression
for that color (or better yet have someone else read them while you listen)
and ask yourself: “Does this statement relate to a way I have felt
recently or describe a situation in my waking life?”
4) Relate to Waking
Life: Pick the one or two statement(s) that create the strongest “aha”
connection or that reminds you of a recent situation or way you have felt
lately. Describe the situation, and your feelings at the time.
5) Reflect on the
Dream: How might the situation or feelings you recall above, relate to
the dream. Do they clarify or complete the other dreamwork you may have
done? If you selected a pair of colors, do the 2 sets of statements relate
to conflicting feelings surrounding your situation?
For more information
on the dream color research go to
www.dreamscience.org
and click on either the Science of Dreaming or Dreams and Color buttons.
The topic is also covered in depth in the book Dream Language by
Robert J. Hoss, published by Innersource 2005.
Common Emotional Themes
Associated with the Human Response to Color
Note: statements are designed to trigger your own personal associations;
they are not the “meaning” of color
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RED |
1) I feel intense, vital or animated. 2) I feel transformed. 3) I
feel assertive, forceful. 4) I feel creative.
5) I want to live life to its fullest. 6) I want to win, succeed,
achieve. 7) I feel sexy or have strong sexual urges. 8) I have a
driving desire. 9) I need something to make me feel alive again.
10) I need to be more assertive and forceful. 11) I need to get out
and enjoy myself.
12) If red appears as blood or inflammation – it may
relate to a physical condition, illness or injury |
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ORANGE |
1) I want to expand my interests and develop new activities. 2) I
want a wider sphere of influence. 3) I feel friendly and welcoming.
4) I want more contact with others. 5) I feel enthusiastic, outgoing
and adventurous.
6) I am driven by desires and hopes toward the new, undiscovered and
satisfying. 7) I feel driven but need to overcome my doubts or fear
of failure. 8) I must avoid spreading myself too thin. |
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YELLOW |
1) I feel a sense of joy and optimism. 2) I feel alert. 3) I am
seeking a solution that will open up new and better possibilities
and allow my hopes to be fulfilled. 4) I feel the new direction I
am taking will bring happiness in my future. 5) I am hopeful. 6) I
need to find a way out of this circumstance or relationship. 7) I
need a change. 8) I may be compensating for something. 9) I am
acting compulsively. |
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GREEN |
1) I need to establish myself, my self-esteem, my independence. 2)
I want recognition. 3) I need to increase the certainty of my own
value and status, through acknowledgment by others of my
achievements or my possessions. 4) Hard work and drive will gain me
recognition and self esteem. 5) My opinion must prevail.
6) I must hold on to this view in order to maintain my self-esteem.
7) I want what I am due. 8) I must maintain control of the events.
9) Things must not change. 10) Detail and logic are important. 11) I
need to increase my sense of security. 12) I need more money to
feel secure. 13) I want to withdraw or retreat into my own center.
14) I feel healed or I need healing. |
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BLUE |
1) I feel tranquil, peaceful and content. 2) I feel a sense of
harmony. 3) I feel a meditative awareness or unity. 4) I feel a
sense of belonging. 5) I need rest, peace or a chance to
recuperate. 6) I need a relationship free from contention in which
I can trust and be trusted. 7) I need a peaceful state of harmony
offering contentment and a sense of belonging. |
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VIOLET |
1) I like to win others over with my charm. 2) I feel an
identification, perhaps a "mystic" union with something/someone.
3) I have a deep intuitive understanding of the situation. 4) I
feel a sense of intimacy. 5) The feeling is erotic. 6) I seek a
magical state where wishes are fulfilled. 7) I yearn for a "magical"
relationship of romance and tenderness. 8) I seek to identify with
something or someone. 9) I need intimacy. 10) I often engage in
fantasy perhaps because I feel a bit insecure about the situation.
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BROWN
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1) I seek a secure state where I can be physically comfortable and
relax or recover. 2) I am uneasy and insecure in the existing
situation. 3) I need a more affectionate environment. 4) I need a
situation imposing less physical strain. 5) I want to satisfy the
physical senses (food, luxury, sex).
6) If it is a Natural or Wood Brown: a) I am concerned about
matters of family, home, or my "roots".
b) I am concerned with a son or daughter. c) I am searching for my
true self or natural state of being.
7) If Dirty Brown: it may relate to a physical problem or
illness. |
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GRAY
(Free of Color) |
1) I want to shield myself from those feelings. 2) I feel
emotionally distant, only an observer. 3) It is as if I am standing
aside, watching myself mechanically go through the motions. 4) I
want to remain uncommitted, non-involved, shielded or separated from
the situation. 5) I do not want to make a decision that will
require my emotional involvement. 6) I have put up with too much and
wish to avoid any further emotional stimulation.
7) I am trying to escape an anxious situation. 8) I am compensating
for something. |
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BLACK
(Negation of Color) |
1) I am anxious and don't know why. 2) I am fearful of or
intimidated by the situation. 3) I have been dealt an unacceptable
blow. 4) Nothing is as it should be. 5) I refuse to allow it/them
to influence my point of view.
6) I can’t accept the situation and don’t wish to be convinced
otherwise. 7) I feel the need for extreme action. 8) I am in
revolt perhaps to compensate for my situation. Jung: Black
and Darkness represents the unconscious realm. Moving into darkness
= suppression, turning within, or a “death of the ego” (first stage
of transformation). Beautiful Shiny Black = a positive view of the
unconscious from which a new self emerges. |
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WHITE |
1) This is a new experience. 2) I’m becoming aware of new feelings.
3) I’m experiencing a new beginning, a reawakening a transformation.
4) I have a new outlook, a new awareness. 5) I feel pure and
innocent. 6) I feel open and accepting. 7) I feel unprepared. 8)
I feel alone, isolated. 9) It feels cold or sterile. White
grouping or mixing (pastels): with a color can be a
transformation of the emotions represented by the color, adding a
calming, a newness, enlightenment, emergence or re-emergence theme. |
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PINK |
1) I feel romantic or loving toward someone or something; 2) I am
feeling very sensitive about something;
3) I feel nurturing and /or gentle and soothing; 4) I am feeling
compassionate; 5) I am avoiding aggression or want to calm my
aggressive feelings; 6) I need romance; 7) I need nurturing; 8)
I need something to calm me down; 9) dealing with this feeling of
assertiveness is new to me; 10) the driving energy I feel is new to
me. |
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COLOR
GROUPS
(Jung) |
RED/YEL/BLU/GRN
– a grouping of the 4 “primaries” may represent completion or a
balancing of something within the personality. A missing color, may
be associated with an emotional element missing from the dreamers
life that is needed for closure.
BLACK & WHITE
(patterns) - may represent the forces of unification, an integration
of conscious (white) and unconscious (black) from which a greater
self emerges; a unity of opposites; an internal change.
GOLD & SILVER
- Integration of the masculine & feminine qualities of the conscious
& unconscious. |
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