Dreams: THEATRES; CIRCUSES; AND AMUSEMENT PARKS
Because the world is a stage, the dream world transforms this vision even further. What do the three have in common with dreams? All incorporate an active imagination with a dose of reality. Most of these dreams tend to be more vivid and often times abstract.
According to David Fontana in his “The Secret Language of Dreams”, if we actually find ourselves on the stage, or in the circus ring, participating in the drama, it may be that we identify with the character or aspect of behavior on display. But if the dreamer is merely an onlooker, this may indicate a danger of being taken in by the powers of illusion or, depending on the context, an unfulfilled wish to throw off the conventions of ordinary existence and become part of the more instinctive, colorful and exciting world symbolized by the performance.
Guenon has noted that the theater is not limited to representing the terrestrial world alone; in the Middle Ages it stood for both this world and the next.
Actor/actresses can represent your need for attention and praise. Here you may find yourself expressing something that comes difficult in waking life. Depending on the context, this can symbolize false representations in life.
Clowns play an integral role in circuses. Many of us, like myself, fear them. The clown is a mythic figure that represents a substitute for the real thing, a mocking version of a personality aspect you may not admire in others or in some cases, even your self.
The acrobat represents both strength and grace. He or she is a symbol of reversal and will sometimes appear in dreams in times of crisis and despair (i.e. a symbol of what reverses the established order).
The roller coaster in a dream symbolizes life’s ups and downs to an extreme sense. Sometimes the roller coaster will go all the way up and you are left anticipating taking the fall, but the dream never happens. This suggests your life is in a major upswing but you fear what lies ahead. An active ride on a roller coaster complete with ups and downs and a racing heart when you awake is indicative of a life out of control. Settle down, prioritize, arrange your thoughts, and get it together NOW!
Here are some other images you may find in such dreams:
Lion Tamers – ability to act with discipline and contain those baser emotions (with the lion representing such emotions). Lions in fact can symbolize our sexuality and more passionate feelings, sometimes related to anger.
Elephants – represent potential in life and fear of these elephants (being chased by one or being afraid to approach) suggests one’s worries as related to taking hold of such potential.
Fire eaters – an angry aspect of one’s self (aggression), but also the ability to control and master such feelings to one’s own benefit.
Conjurer – an aspect that is deceptive in others or your own self.
Ringmaster – The ringmaster is someone who thrives off of others. His presence in the circus takes center stage while doing little to promote such attention while the tigers are in reality the important feature of such a performance. Because tigers in a females dream will normally indicate a refined sexuality, it is not uncommon for the dreaming female to interpret a ringmaster as her man and perhaps a moocher. Get rid of the sorry ass!
Trapeze Artists – spiritual courage. Symbolizing the risks that must be taken in life to better one’s own position.
Tigers – refined female sexuality as described above.
Animals – in general those which appear in the context of a circus show the extent for which a man can work with his animal instincts, or the baser emotions (sexual urges might fall into this category).
The Stage – can be a position you are in whereby you must act a certain way contrary (or at the very least, deviating) from your normal persona. Such dreams could occur during a period in life when you are job searching. As someone observing from the audience, you are examining a situation in life that which is of utmost importance.
Ferris Wheels – indicate peace and serenity. Being at the height on the Ferris wheel suggests sitting on top of the world without a worry, but if fear is an aspect of such a dream, you are afraid of losing what you have worked so hard to achieve (i.e. your position in life).
