My dream started with me in a philosophy class where we were learning linguistic philosophy and how the deconstruction of language, particularly English. We had a semester-long test where we were to go to a museum gallery and apply our new “language” in an exhibit specialized in our “language”. The “language” was basically gibberish, but the gibberish was English words that had no correlation to what was being inferred: it was nonsensical English. I couldn’t speak the gibberish nor could I understand it. I tried asking for help but my peers would laugh and speak in gibberish to each other about me. I noticed my ex-girlfriend was in the class and when I went to talk to her in normal English, she started speaking gibberish back to me. Under her breath, in normal English, she said she would help me study. She gave me a textbook that was titled “The Horseman”. The next day, while at the exhibit in the museum gallery, everyone was speaking gibberish and I spoke it back confidently. People were now able to understand me and give me praise for speaking gibberish so fluently. I realized it was more of a confidence thing than anything else: I would ask a question in gibberish but, structurally, it sounded like a question. I used this to my advantage until things started to unravel. The exhibit led deeper into the museum but then the architecture became impossible and almost surreal: stairways splitting up revealing new rooms, sideways doors opening up leading to hidden hallways, etc.. I got to a point where I was to meet “The Horseman” and I suddenly forgot how to speak and understand gibberish. When I went into the room to meet the horseman, I couldn’t see his head as a plank of wood was blocking it but I could see the rest of his body. He handed me a black box in one hand (looked like a box for a deck of cards) and some black paste in my other hand. In gibberish, he asked me to do something but I froze and could t understand him. He asked me again to do something but I froze again. I closed my eyes and that’s when I woke up.
Dream Interpretation:
Your dream is rich with symbolism and layered meaning, primarily revolving around themes of communication, understanding, guidance, and the complexities of your personal experiences, especially relating to past relationships and identity.
Philosophy Class: Starting your dream in a philosophy class indicates a desire for deeper understanding—a quest for knowledge and meaning in your life. This setting often symbolizes the search for truth and the tools necessary to navigate complex thoughts and emotions.
Gibberish Language: The gibberish you encountered is a powerful metaphor for feelings of confusion or miscommunication in your waking life. It suggests that there might be situations or relationships where you feel misunderstood or incapable of expressing yourself effectively. This could also represent challenges in comprehending others, indicating a disconnect that may be frustrating to you.
Peer Laughter: Your peers’ reaction to your attempts to speak gibberish can signify feelings of vulnerability and anxiety about how others perceive you. It may reflect your worries about social acceptance or feeling left out when trying to express your feelings or ideas.
Ex-Girlfriend's Presence: Seeing your ex-girlfriend suggests unresolved feelings or past experiences that still hold emotional weight. Her willingness to help but speaking gibberish can symbolize the mixed feelings you have about your past relationship—craving connection yet facing barriers in communication. The textbook titled "The Horseman" might hint at guidance or mentorship, inviting you to reflect on lessons learned from that relationship or from romantic encounters more generally.
Museum Exhibit and Journey: Utilizing gibberish to communicate effectively implies a moment of confidence and growth, suggesting that even amidst confusion, you can find ways to navigate your way through difficult situations. However, as the exhibit becomes surreal, it could reflect the complexities and unpredictability of your life, especially as you delve deeper into your subconscious or past memories.
Meeting the Horseman: The figure of "The Horseman" can symbolize a guide or a challenge that you face in your personal journey. The plank of wood blocking his head might represent limitations or barriers in your life—perhaps something obstructing your clarity, judgment, or understanding of a situation. The gifts he offers— a black box and black paste—could represent mystery or unknown aspects of yourself that you are yet to understand, potentially relating to feelings of fear or anxiety.
Freezing and Not Understanding: Your inability to understand the Horseman’s request mirrors your feelings of being overwhelmed or unable to respond effectively to challenges in your life. This moment of blankness indicates a struggle with clarity in decision-making or emotional response, perhaps signaling that you are at a crossroads or facing an important choice in your life.
Waking Up: The transition from the dream state can signify a pivotal point in your self-awareness, indicating that, while you may often feel lost or unclear in your communications or life path, there is an inherent desire within you to explore and overcome these obstacles.
Conclusion: This dream suggests an intricately woven tapestry of feelings regarding confidence, understanding, and communication barriers. It invites you to reflect on your current relationships, past experiences, and the ways in which you navigate complexities in both emotional and social contexts. Ultimately, it expresses a need for clarity and open dialogue in your life, urging you to confront these communication challenges head-on.