Monday, January 3, 2011

Nocturnal Floppage



I bought a dream catcher at the American Indian museum on New Year's Day, thinking that it was a fitting way to launch 2011. I hoped it would bring some fabulous dreams my way and also that it would filter the nightmares, send them packing. I bought the dream catcher in the wake of a realization that some of my favorite daydreams, imaginings I have entertained for many years, have recently evaporated. What is up with that? I was also hoping to curtail dream input from Betty Louise, the houseghost who thinks I am So Very Interesting, especially at night when I'm trying to sleep.

After awful dreams from the night of January 1st, I wondered if I'd hung the dream catcher backwards. Before I went to sleep last night, I shook it the way you might shake a mechanical device, I flicked it with my thumb and first finger, hoping to kick it into gear. I spoke to it, very respectfully. Then I turned it around and hung it again.

No such luck. More horrible dreams last night. Maybe I'm investing too much hope in the dream catcher, ya think? I've also sage-smudged my bedroom, burned sweetgrass, spritzed the room with lovely scents, turned all the lights on, turned all the lights off, blasted the room and bed, and my own head, with Reiki.

I mentioned this bout of nightmares to the Sufi acupuncturist who did a treatment that is specifically designed to eliminate the feeling of being spooked. It hurt like hell, but did not work. Hmmm...

This morning my strategy revolves around hope - I'm hoping tomorrow's solar eclipse will clear the bad dream energy. Not quite sure what else to do - I mean, I have to sleep, right?

24 comments:

ellen abbott said...

I was having a series of very disturbing dreams for awhile in the country house. My sister put together a mixture of herbs and stuff in an open jar to put by my bed. It worked for me, no more of that happening. I'll ask her what is in it.

Perhaps you need to ask Betty Louise what the hell she wants and if you can help her over the threshold (but I'm sure you've already tried that).

Susan Carpenter Sims said...

Yikes. That sounds, well, nightmarish. I hope it turns around soon for you. Sending light and love your way.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Yuck. I've been having different and vivid dreams lately but not nightmares, so sorry for you.
Now, about the acupuncture, why did it hurt? I've been thinking about trying it and always hear that it doesn't hurt at all, you've got me a little gun shy again.

Reya Mellicker said...

Jeanette - sometimes acupuncture hurts, sometimes it doesn't. Depends on the treatment and how much I'm blocked. But it's not excrutiating pain, doesn't last, and brings about healing and relief. It's worth it.

Ellen that would be great. As for Betty Louise, I have held off doing the ghost crossing because my housemates are very fond of her. They connect with her in much more subtle ways than I do - of course. I have practiced relating to ghosts for decades.

Betty Louise is bored the way a lot of ghosts are bored. She finds me amusing but I do NOT find her amusing. Maybe I'll do the ghost crossing anyway, despite my housemate's affection for her.

Thanks Polly!

Reya Mellicker said...

Excruciating.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Thanks Reya, I'm probably pretty blocked but can handle almost any pain as long as I know it doesn't last too long.

Reya Mellicker said...

It's interesting pain, more electrical than anything else. Jeanette if you give acupuncture a try, let me know. Would love to hear about your experience. It has changed me completely.

Linda Sue said...

Warm milk with honey before you go to sleep- Get a dog...

steven said...

since december 30th my night time thinking has consisted of a lot of highly charged emotional unpacking. cry in my sleep kind of dreaming . . . i figure it's a lot like the holiday cleaning that some people do. cleaning my brain. cleaning my heart. making space. steven

The Bug said...

I tend to weave whatever book I'm reading into my dreams - and lately it's been a murder mystery - yikes! Although the other night I spent my entire night debating between a kindle or a nook. That's just sad.

Jinksy said...

I count myself lucky if I sleep long enough to dream - but recurring nightmares are not pleasant, I grant you. Hopefully yours will be short lived...Have you tried imagining yourself sleeping inside a crystal that might help ward off the dreams?

Jo said...

Sorry to hear of this development, Reya. I love Steven's explanation, but I really have to vote with Linda Sue on this topic. Warm milk & honey sounds like just the ticket...with a puppy by your side!

Much love and hope for a good night's sleep tonight!

Reya Mellicker said...

Dana that is hilarious.

Jinxy I will give it a go.

Steven I came to that same conclusion sometime today, between clients. Looking at the content of the nightmares, I do feel I am releasing a whole lot of crap. The moon turns tomorrow, there will be a partial solar eclipse. May the tail end of the dragon arrow take away all this CRAP!! So may it be.

Rebecca Clayton said...

When I get a series of nightmares, it's usually because I'm not paying attention to a message the Universe and/or my unconscious mind is trying to send me. The really weird thing is that it's often a good message--it seems to be necessary to scare me to get my attention sometimes.

Of course, you're pretty tuned in to things like that--the Universe probably doesn't need to yell "Boo!" at you. It's probably more like what Steven says. Unpacking emotional baggage.

steven said...

reya i'm on-board for that wish. steven

Val said...

oh no poor you - do you write them down? how about some vanilla oil in a burner? or something deeply calming? hope you get some sleep soon x

Val said...

oh no poor you - do you write them down? how about some vanilla oil in a burner? or something deeply calming? hope you get some sleep soon x

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Val! That sounds perfect - sweet, smooth vanilla.

Steven: may it be so for us both! Sweet dreams to you, too.

Tess Kincaid said...

Gosh, sorry to hear about the dream catcher. Sounds like it should have been called a nightmare maker!

Kerry said...

Oh I hate to hear this. I hope you find something that works, and then share it. This kind of thing works in cycles with me, which I only make worse by a feeling of dread-before-bed...ack! The best I can do is have some lemon ginger tea, do some simple yoga stretches, and then take a benadryl...I know that's probably not the right fix.

Tonight, sleep tight.

Rinkly Rimes said...

My remedy certainly isn't for everyone!!! I doze off with the BBC news in my ear. After a while the items get repeated and boredom sends me off into a dreamless sleep! I wake in the morning with the same BBC program still telling me the same things!

Pauline said...

perhaps the bad dreams have a message for you...

Reya Mellicker said...

Rinkly you are funny!

Had a great night's sleep with only minor bad dreams. Onwards & upwards.

Thanks to ALL for your encouragement and suggestions.

Barbara Martin said...

I suspect there's a reason for your nightmares, and if they are still continuing at my late comment, please call on the Archangel Raphael, the physician of the angelic realm. He works miracles, and has done so for me.