manzia
Oneiromancy
Oneiromancy, from the Greek oneiros "dream" and manteia "divination", is the practice of interpreting dreams as signs of future events or messages from the unconscious. It is universally attested: from the dreams of Joseph in the Bible (Book of Genesis) to dreams interpreted in ancient Egypt and Babylon, from the "Oneirocritica" of Artemidorus of Daldis (2nd century AD) to modern dream dictionaries.
Ancient tradition
Artemidorus of Daldis wrote the "Oneirocritica", the manual of antiquity on dreams: he distinguished "theorematic" dreams (clear) and "allegorical" ones (symbolic), and proposed interpretations according to the social class of the dreamer. In the sanctuaries of Asclepius in Greece "incubatio" was practised: sleeping in the temple to receive therapeutic dreams from the god.
Modern readings
Sigmund Freud, in The Interpretation of Dreams (1900), reads them as disguised repressed wishes. Carl Gustav Jung reads them as messages from the individual and collective unconscious, with archetypal figures. Contemporary psychotherapy works on dreams in a symbolic and narrative key. The neurosciences study dreams above all in their role of memory consolidation and emotional regulation.
FAQ
Do dreams predict?
Scientifically, no. They can reveal unconscious concerns that then influence choices and perceptions.
Do dream dictionaries work?
They have informative value. More useful is to elaborate your own symbolism: the same symbol means different things for different people.
Can I work with my dreams?
Yes. Keeping a dream journal, noting emotions and characters, reflecting on the general theme: it is a useful practice, recognised in psychotherapy.