The Mystical, Magical, Marvelous World of Dreams

The cover and title make this book seem hokey, but it's actually a very insightful look at how dreamsreveal our subconscious thoughts. The listing of symbolic meanings are thoughtful and meaningful. The interpretations are not random and meaningless magic ("If you dream of a snake it means you will get a new job") but instead help us see the possibilities inherent in our own symbol-system ("a snake could represent temptation, as in the Garden of Eden, or it could be a phallic symbol, or it could represent danger, slyness, "a snake in the grass," etc.) I've looked at a lot of dream interpretation books, and this one is the most sensible and complete. You have to use the index to find what you want, because the symbols are not listed in one alphabetical list but are organized by topics. But that works.

By combining basic psychological explanations with interpretive meanings for dream symbols, this book provides a good balance for those who wish to understand their dreams and themselves without delving into a lot of technical jargon. Or, the archaic and downright hilarious guides, as in the "dreaming of a teapot means a Gypsy will steal your cow" sort. This one does explain that the possible interpretations are subject to the dreamer's own associations, which is the first thing we need to know about dreams. It gives a good range of symbols and is one of the best of its type that I've seen. The basis for the psychology is Jungian, which is simply way more fun for dream interpretive work than Freudian. By the way, there's nothing wrong with approaching dream interpretation with a sense of fun; dreams aren't always weighty psychological things, and we're missing a lot of the entertainment that our minds can provide if we disregard our dreams.

As a general skeptic in the world of "spiritual interpretation," I didn't expect to get so much out of this book. However, I felt that Wilda B. Tanner offered a thorough, accurate description of dream symbols. Every time I look up a specific symbol is ALWAYS gives me true insight to how I feel, so often that it cannot just be coincidence.

Most dream books are written with the definition of objects/subjects as absolutes and that there is no other description to include or suggest. This makes these other dream books too rigid and orthodox which is frustrating. Tanner gives a comprehensive view of each subject, including the all important spiritual aspects (which other books usually ignore). Tanner teaches you how to figure out what certain things may mean to just you and not another dreamer. She helps you figure out what your nightmares mean as well. She writes as a sensitive but informative teacher and guide. If you are intrigued by your dreams, she really helps you along to figure out the possibilities of what YOUR dreams mean to YOU.

I have bought many books on this subject that disapointed me. Not this one. Even the most confusing of dreams came to light using this book. I have bought it several times to give it to someone who was having troubled dreams to hear "This is great!" I recommend it over all other dream books I have read...