I had an antique ceramic advertisement on commission at an local antique store. The store was winding and packed like a hoarder house. I was looking for my piece as it wasn't where I left it. A store lady walked me through to show me where it was and mentioned that the store owner hid it away as he wanted to buy it. We found him and he told me that his great grandfather's birth announcement was on it and he wanted to purchase it. I was so angry that I said he could buy it for 500 dollars rather than the 210 I had on the price tag. Everyone was shocked and then I woke up.
Your dream presents a rich tapestry of emotions, environments, and social dynamics that hint at your current psyche and life circumstances. Let’s break it down.
The Antique Store: The setting of an antique store, particularly one that's cluttered and winding, symbolizes your exploration of the past, memories, or perhaps aspects of yourself you consider valuable but have forgotten or neglected. The hoarding nature of the store suggests there may be unresolved issues or emotional baggage in your life. It indicates a sense of being overwhelmed by these aspects. Perhaps you are in a phase of life where you’re navigating through your past, seeking out valuable lessons, or dealing with emotional clutter.
The Antique Ceramic Advertisement: The specific item you seek—a piece of art on commission—symbolizes your creative pursuits or aspects of your identity that you want to express. Since it’s a commissioned piece, it also reflects your desire for validation or the acknowledgment of your talents, hinting at a potential fear of rejection or not being appreciated for your contributions.
The Encounter with the Store Lady: The store lady guiding you through the maze of the antique store represents a figure of assistance or guidance in your life. She could symbolize someone in your life who is helping you to navigate your own physical or emotional space. Additionally, her role could indicate your inner voice encouraging you to confront the complexities of your past.
The Store Owner’s Desire: The store owner who wishes to buy your piece indicates the presence of others’ interests and opinions in your personal or professional life. When it's revealed that the piece contains a connection to his great grandfather’s birth announcement, it suggests themes of heritage, legacy, and ownership—a reminder that what you create can hold deep meanings and connections beyond your individual experience.
Your Anger and Pricing Decision: Your emotional reaction—anger at the store owner and your decision to inflate the price—reflects a struggle for agency and value recognition. This part of the dream may suggest feelings of frustration or undervaluation of your own worth. The stark price difference illustrates a moment of powerful assertion, perhaps pointing to a broader life situation where you feel compelled to fight for recognition or assert your value in a way that surprises even you, eliciting shock from those around you.
Overall Themes: Your dream intricately weaves together notions of self-worth, the complexity of navigating past experiences, and the struggle between personal value and external demands or perceptions. It seems to invite you to reflect on what parts of your past you need to confront, how you assert your worth, and whether you allow others to define your value. Consider how these themes manifest in your waking life—is there a situation where you feel undervalued or ignored? Are there aspects of your identity or creativity that need to be acknowledged and embraced?
In summary, this dream serves as a rich medium for exploring your feelings of agency, value, and your relationship with the past. It encourages you to reclaim your narrative and assert your worth, ensuring that others recognize the value you bring to the table.