Dream: my conversation with Pope John Paul II

[SocratesInSpirit]

I have interesting dreams every now and then - but last night's was a doozy!

The dream took place in my old bedroom, in the house I grew up in. My parents purchased the house a year before I was born, and I spent my entire childhood there. I dreamed that Pope John Paul II was going to be holding a big, important meeting with his cardinals in my bedroom. I was currently in the room, which had a lot of stuff scattered around, as I was working on many projects. The Pope had sent some men ahead to tell us how to prepare for his visit. One of them told me I needed to make sure the room was clean for his visit, as he and the cardinals wouldn't appreciate the mess, which would delay their meeting, since I would have to pick everything up first. But I lost track of time and continued to work on the projects, and then the Pope arrived. He was by himself, and I rushed around trying to pick things up. But he was very kind about it. He said he needed a nap, anyway, and he laid down on my bed and took a little snooze while I cleaned up my stuff. (He was dressed in red, btw)

When I was done, I told him the room was ready for his meeting and I would be leaving post-haste, but we started to have a little chat. I don't remember exactly what was said, but he exuded a warmth and kindness. He told me several accurate things about my personality, and all the while, I was thinking, why is he so gentle with me? Surely he must know I disagree with the Church on several fundamental issues! (I was raised Catholic but left the Church) Then my sister and mother showed up in the dream. My sister, who is a physical therapist in real life, told me she had been promoted to Director of the department at the clinic she worked at, and that I needed to be more of a bold go-getter. The Pope said something about having me do work where I was "more visible", and my mother chimed in with "she loves being the center of attention - she'd love that!" (which isn't entirely true - I like the spotlight, but also fear it) I was starting to get a bit annoyed with everyone at being dissected like this, and I asked the Pope how he knew all this about me, since we had never met. He said something to the effect that he can tell things about people pretty quickly, since he's met so many in his life. Then he told me to ask myself what it is I wanted to do. I was about to say what I've always wanted to do - "write stories, and have people read them" - when my husband moved and accidentally jostled me awake.

I'm very interested in hearing peoples' thoughts about this.

edit: fixed typo

[Cleita]

1. This could be interpreted on so many levels.

The first level is that you are worried by some disorganization in your life and need an event like a visit from an authority figure like the Pope to push you to do it. The next level is it could be a message from your guides to organize yourself so that you can pursue your writing seriously. That's how I see your dream in a nutshell anyway.

[SocratesInSpirit]

3. Hi...

Sorry for the belated response - I have been quite busy! Your response made me think about some things, and I have been able to organize my thoughts a bit:

One of the things that interested me about the dream was the incursion of the Pope into my personal space. I lived in only one house growing up, and that bedroom was my sanctuary; my personal space. I remember feeling resentful that I had to "clean up" before the Pope came, and that's why I didn't stop working on my projects. I am a former Catholic - I have a lot of issues with the Church and unresolved anger about religion. One of the things in the dream that surprised me was that the Pope was totally non-judgmental and radiated a serene spirit (I have fonder memories of Pope John Paul II, who was Pope my entire life before Pope Benedict). But I was still distrustful of him and kept my guard up. I'm thinking this dream had a lot to do with my feelings about religion and religious organizations - I'm currently in transit right now. :)

[Why Syzygy]

2. All that comes to mind is

the Hierophant of the Tarot. Are you Taurus?

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/basics/hierophant.shtml
THE HIEROPHANT

Basic Card Symbols

Twin pillars, staff, throne, hand raised in blessing, two acolytes.

Basic Tarot Story

Having created a solid foundation on which to build his future, the Fool is struck with a sudden fear. What if everything he's worked for is taken away? Is stolen, or lost, or destroyed or vanishes? Or what if it is just not good enough? In a panic, he heads into a holy place where he finds the Hierophant, a wise teacher and holy man. Acolytes kneel before the man, ready to hear and pass on his teachings. The Fool tells the Hierophant his fears, and asks how he can be free of them.

"There are only two ways," says the Hierophant sagely, "Either give up that which you fear to lose so it no longer holds any power over you, or consider what you will still have if your fear comes to pass. After all," the Hierophant continues, "if you did lose all you'd built, you would still keep the experience and knowledge that you've gained up to this point, wouldn't you?"

This surprisingly pragmatic advice releases the Fool from his fear, and he is able exit out of the sanctuary and face the world's challenges once again.

Basic Tarot Meaning

Taurus the Earthly bull may seem an odd sign for a holy man, but it makes sense if you understand that the Hierophant's purpose is to bring the spiritual down to Earth.
...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierophant

[SocratesInSpirit]

4. thank you for the interesting thought...

very thought-provoking! I am a Sagittarius. How does Sagittarius usually jibe with Taurus? :)

[Why Syzygy]

5. Sorry. I have no clue.

Not an astrologer here. Just copy/paster :D

Do you know anyone close to you in life who is Taurus? I think your comment above is probably the right direction. It's inner work.

[wickfordbard]

6. Re; late but I'd like to add something

Hi,

Just wanted to comment. The Tarot image is great and you might have a Taurus Moon or else some other planet in Taurus that is being affected by a transit.

But for the Dream. The Hierophant is the teacher of Sacred law - so my hit on your dream is that the Pope showed up to get you to think about what your soul purpose is in life. You say you want to write, but what are you writing about? Is it something that people need to hear right now? Something that will illuminate life at this moment in time? Your sister says - be a bold, go-getter. Your mom says you'll like the limelight. What holds you back from doing what you need to do? That's the real question this dream brings up.

You have to stop being so scattered - it's only this higher calling you're feeling (the Pope) that makes you clean things up. But just to say you want people to read your writing isn't enough. You need to believe in what you write and really have something to say.

Hope that helps.
Wickfordbard

[SocratesInSpirit]

8. Thank you for your insights!

I'm actually working on a story right now that I think is very pertinent in light of the current ascension... the major issue that the main character deals with is a difficulty of letting go of things, whether it is her old drawings, relationships, etc. The circumstances she encounters force her to start letting go of things that are keeping her mired in the past. This story has been my summer project, and I'm very close to launching it on a website I've created (a very big step for me - I mainly lurk on the web!).

I've been working pretty steadily on my writing for years... tried to get my first novel published, but the agents weren't biting. This novel was my "baby", and I promised myself I wouldn't rest until it was published, but several things have happened that convinced me to shelve it for awhile. And I have plans for another project that I think will resonate with a wider audience.

In recent years, I've done a lot of work dealing with issues of reluctance to put myself out there and doubt in my abilities, but have made great strides in both areas, and feel that good things are on the horizon in regard to my writing. I always include some kind of theme in my stories - I hope to entertain people and make them think at the same time.

Re. my answer to the Pope - I was going to go into more detail before my my husband jostled me awake. But I guess it wasn't meant to be! :)

[Stevepol]

7. I would take these dream characters as parts of myself

trying to make me aware of my own wishes and inner dreams and the need to pursue those dreams with more gusto.

[SocratesInSpirit]

9. Got no problem with the gusto part...

But it's hard for new authors to get published these days - very frustrating when the 20th agent rejects your manuscript! So lately I've been looking at other avenues to get my work out there (e.g., the web). My ultimate goal is to get the stories to the people, and if I can't go the traditional route, I'll try something else. Sometimes I feel like Amy Poehler's Hillary Clinton in the SNL sketch, when she snarks, "I should have wanted it more!". :7

[Stevepol]

10. I'm sure you have already wrestled with this, but

characters like this in a dream are also part of your "inner critic" that is death for writers.

Maybe you've read WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg (?) She really gives some good advice about writing and overcoming that inner critic.

I had a dream one time where I was telling myself, "I enjoy writing and I write about what I enjoy." I think that's the key for any writer.

William Stafford talked once about the fact that he never experienced "writer's block." He said to someone his attitude was "Welcome, welcome," no matter what thought or idea came. He said, "If your standards were as low as mine are, you wouldn't have any writer's block either."

The key I think is just to write and not worry about anything else. If you enjoy it and really work at it and never publish a word, you still will have been a success.

Good luck.