The Snake and the Lion

I was gazing intently in the direction of a screen door in the kitchen of a rustic house; observing, as though I were a sentinel on duty, the backyard enclosed by a tall white fence. The house seemed unfamiliar but at the same time, something deep inside told me I knew this place. Outside stood an old wooden barrel with rusted bands wrapped around its girth, similar to the kind used to age whiskey. Looking inside I discerned that vertically it was about 3’ above ground with another 3’ buried in the ground and 3′ in width, and  it was empty. Abruptly, as if on cue, the barrel began to fill with water. As the water’s surface reached the top rim, I unexpectedly heard a sound coming from within the barrel. I caught sight of a snake, waking from hibernation it seemed as it stirred to consciousness, It began to grow in length, first to my height and still longer as it continued to increase in awareness. I ran inside and the snakes tail quickly swept the concrete and lodged itself in the opening keeping the door from closing. I tried to holler for help but the words would not sound. I wondered if I could command it to be gone and with that thought, the snake disappeared. In its place, his countenance beyond reproach, a Lion appeared. I quickly discerned that I was safe. A demeanor of serenity and wisdom composed his face enclosed by a wild mane of hair. He was regal in manner and somehow telepathically related to me in latin…”vocatus atque non vocatus deus aderit.”… (Invoked or not invoked, the God will be present)
-Dream Journal Vol. 1

I have had this dream many times over the years and just as a faucet drips slowly from a rusted valve, my understanding of the dream and its understanding of me progressed gradually until I was able to write with certainty the message it was trying to convey. As much as dreams try to give meaning and understanding to the trivialities of our lives, they also invite us to stand up and notice them and convey definition to their simplistic language of symbols. They need us as much as we need them. For the soul beckons our dreams to show us the alternate path.

So I began to write an endless page into the soul of my being and explored every minute detail of mystery until they were silent no more, to fill every dark and damp cavern with illumination. This light and its appearance are the work of my life, everything leads to this moment and then we die to all misconceptions.

And what do you think this dream means?

©jc2016-9