Rosalinda,
I appreciate the response. It helps me gauge not only my analysis but also the applications. experiences is the greatest teacher and there is something to be learned from every dream.

As for this dream. Short dreams are harder to analyze because there is so little offered by the dream. But normal dreams aren't all that complicated, even though I only know the age and gender of the dreamer {both are important}.

As for the first possibility. Unconsciously we often do not realize how our past affects the present. If the focus is on childhood {which seems likely from your response}, there could still be emotional energies at work in the 'back of the mind'to do with her ex. this is why Jung suggested all dreams have more than one 'topic' that needs clarity. Usually in dreams there is a focus on one primary emotional issue with a secondary but related issue related in some manner. At her age, normally it is the deeper issues {early life} that are being addresses. i wouldn't dismiss the aspects about her ex-bf the dream because he was in the dream. Much of his presence would have to do with insecurities related to early life relationships with her dad {masculine aspects} but there may be associations of one to the other. Because he was in the dream and used as a animus figure, that alone suggests a need for a deeper examination of the associations. Jungian concepts about this aspect of dreams have become standard because such theories have withstood the test of time {where Freudian theory has not}. In my study of dreams I too find this to be true. Of course to find the real reason for the dreams there would need to be a deeper examination of your friend's psyche {ology}. A series of dreams is how a trained Jungian psychologist would discover the true unconscious energies {emotional conflicts}.

The end of the dream did end with a positive. Most dreams are about negative emotional aspects. If there has any thoughts about him {you state he still had feelings for her which could suggest possible continuing emotions} the unconscious could be pointing to a resolution of some kind. The dream did end with a positive. The 'he' that was smiling would be her animus and the OK would indicate a resolution.

The one thing that holds true in the first possibility {a positive resolution} would hold true in the primary focus of the dream. If not a resolution then a note she is close to or working toward a positive resolution. That is a good sign.

The second possibility involving financial aspects would be about security issues, if not financial then insecurities due to the lack of a positive relationship with her father. My wording 'financial/insecurities was meant to be one and/or the other {meaning possibly one of the two but possibly both}. The insecurities experienced in childhood are 'logged' into the psyche and remain there as influencing factors {unconscious} until they are resolved. I see this often and had a dream just last week there were the same daughter/father issues. It actually goes deeper than just the early life physical experiences, the innate imprintation of archetypal having an influence also. But that is something to be addressed at another time {you/she can read my link to get an understanding of those energies}.

With the additional info you have provided the dream could be addressing those issues to do with her father, the insecurities due to the lack of a positive father role model in early life. A 'golden rule in analysis is dreams mean what they say {symbolically and metaphorically}, so her going toe her ex-bf' apartment means she has gone to 'a part' of herself {apartment} that has associations to do with her ex-bf. What she saw there was 'kids'. That could symbolize immaturity, or could be addressing undeveloped animus aspects she possesses because she did not have that father relationship. What I see in this statement is there could be qualities possessed by her father and ex-bf. The three kids could represent the incompleteness I mentioned {daughter/father relationship}. Another place to look {as well as the incompleteness application} is to how many siblings were in the family? Where there three 'kids' in her family? ALWAYS more than one application, not only to every dream but also every image. It could apply.

The last part of the dream could be a direct statement about 'families'. If he had a mistress then he had more than one life. 'Financial situation is so unstable and you have so many kids?' Financial, and insecurities as a part of her masculine identity, are unstable, so many kids {the symbolism of that having the possibilities I've mentioned, and possibly literal}.

In summary, and at the age of 55, I would think she is 'looking back' {unconsciously if not consciously} at her life. The dream is helping her with those unresolved issues from early life. This is standard stuff when you are in the mid-life years {35-55}. If it is not a conscious thing then it is an unconscious event and is played in our dreams. Dreams seek to help resolve emotional conflicts, it is nature's tool to help sort through the emotional baggage we accumulate. Just as the body has the immune system, the mind has the dream. There could be very well be associations to do with her father and ex-bf, similar associations of some type. But the primary focus is likely about her father. If she has other dreams have her either give them to you or have her post them {best that she post them since everything within the dream needs to be looked at}. It is from a series of dreams we find the true intent. If there are still unresolved issues then there will be more dreams about whatever the issues are.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 63 Space Coast, Fla.

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