fandomhigh | Magical Theory 101 (Monday, 02/27/2006, 5th Period)

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Magical Theory 101 (Monday, 02/27/2006, 5th Period)

"Today, guys, your dream journals are due. (OOC: In other words, one dream write-up in the homework thread.) We're going to talk about dream analysis today, and we're taking a bit more of a psychological tack on this one. That's because with magic? It's important to understand yourself. Yes, dreams can be prophetic, but they're usually symbolic instead.

In psychoanalysis, Jung thought that dream interpretation was the key factor. He said, "Dreams are neither mere reproductions of memories, nor abstractions from experience. They are the undisguised manifestation of unconscious creativity." Now, mind you, Jung was not a guy who thought all dreams were created equal. He got deeply creative, and coined the terms 'big dreams' and 'little dreams.'

I only wish I were kidding. You'd think a guy who could codify archetypes--universal symbols that continue to appear in story and lore--would come up with something a little more creative than that. Now, little dreams were from the personal unconscious, and generally? A reflection of day-to-day activity. Essentially? The processing of mental detritus. Big dreams--well, they have symbols of unrealized or unconscious material. Things that a therapist is supposed to help you bring to light and resolved. That can include repressed memories--don't get me started on the iffiness of that--life events, and memories of things that disturb you. Or it could be caused by physical stimuli, like someone snoring next to you, or the room being cold.

Most people in psychotherapy are required to keep intensive dream journals. Dreams aren't easy to remember, though, but the best way to keep track of them is to write them down as soon as you wake up. Otherwise, dreams aren't realized and the information falls back into the subconscious--and practice makes perfect. The more often you write down your dreams, the better you get at remembering them. That's why I had you guys keep a journal for a while.

Interpreting dreams? Your goal is to relate the symbolic meaning of the dream to the conscious situation o the dreamer. Sometimes the symbols are personal. Say, dreams about an upcoming birthday. Sometimes they're archetypal, and things like mythological or fairy tale images are brought in. Now, since we haven't covered archetypes in this class, I won't expect you to know them in any depth, but keep in mind common themes from fiction. Here's a handout with some more information for you guys, though.

So. Let's talk about dream interpretation and symbolic content. Because on Thursday? You guys are interpreting each other's dreams."

Useful Links:
Ms. Calendar's Voice Mail
Ms. Calendar's E-Mail

{{OOC: OCD comment threads ~~going up shortly~~ have gone up!}}

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...

*is missing*

*wonders where he of the surprisingly perfect attendance for once is*

Kiki signs in.

Cordelia signs in, looking exhausted.

Paige signs in, looking not especially happy.

Maia signed in

Bel signed in, sitting far away from Kiki.

Piper signs in.

Sakura signs in.

...

OOC: Only turn in one dream. Unless you want to turn in more?

A dream from Kiki's journal. (http://kikidelivers.livejournal.com/31349.html)

A dream which had been hastily scibbled into Cordy's journal. (http://upforachase.livejournal.com/5191.html?#cutid1)

Bel hands in his dream journal.

Maia swallowed hard and handed in her dream journal (http://maias-notebook.livejournal.com/22358.html) it was the only dream she had lately, over and over again.

Paige hands in her dream (http://romanywitch.livejournal.com/437.html?thread=16565)

Piper hands in her dream journal.

...

Sakura lingers after class to ask Jenny about what she may have missed the previous class. She has gathered that she missed a "dream jornal" assignment, and has written that down.

"Sakura," nodded Jenny. She glanced at the the homework that had been turned in. "You didn't get the e-mail on the dream journal, I see?"

Sakura made a face, sheepish. "No, I suppose I didn't..." Truthfully, she'd forgotten to check her email. She'd been such a space-case lately, she'd forgotten quite a few things... like attending class. >>;

"And I know you've missed a few classes too." Jenny tilted her head and studied Sakura. "Are you here to see me about making up the attendance? That's certainly something we can work out."

Sakura nodded. "Yeah, actually. I haven't really got a... good reason for being absent," She absently pawed at her necklace. "But I'll do whatever I can to make it up." She eyed Jenny guiltily, hoping she wouldn't get in too much trouble for just sort of... skipping out on classes for a few days.

"I'm glad to hear that, Sakura," said Jenny. "Is there a particular reason you missed classes?"

She'd been teaching a while. She knew that guilty 'it was nice out and I didn't want to go to school' look from a mile away. But it was always worthwhile to see if the kids could explain themselves well.

Sakura flinched.

"Erm," she started, awkwardly. She frowned, lacing her fingers together on top of her desk. "...truthfully, no. I've been sort of stressing over a letter I sent to my father, and..." She looked up at Jenny, frowning. "...I sort of forgot to sleep, and then slept through class."

Well, at least she'd been honest...

Jenny nodded. "Thank you for being honest with me," she said. "You can turn in a 100 word essay to me to make up your absences."

OOC: OMG, I never got the comment notification on this! I hate LJ! Feel free to handwave the essay, BTW.

Sakura sighed, smiling. "Thank you, I'll have that to you as soon as I'm finished."

"Great!" exclaimed Jenny. "I'll see you in class, then."

OOC: Yay! Pick a topic, handwave it if you want.

...

oppsey I put my dream in the wrong thread, want me to move it?

Yes, please. It will make things much easier for me to find. Thank you!

done and the comment needs unscreen since I sent it to your voicemail cos I expected to be away

The timing on the class changed, yeah. :)

Oh good I'm not meant to be in France then? ;) *wouldn't be suprised if she was*

*giggle* I have no idea! But whenever you're meant to be there, I'll be jealous of you!

It was last week, actually when I went to see my beloved Depeche Mode, didn't actually get to see much of France since it took 8 hours to get from my home to the hotel :/

Yikes! But what a fun performance, I'm sure! Did you take the train, or did you drive?

There was some driving, some flying and also some train, like I said longjourney! and also quite a bit of waiting around and me going, 'OMG if we lose Liz and Ian we're screwed!' I speak very little French and I doubt knowing how to order a pineapple juice would have got me very far in a train station!

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Magical Theory 101 (Monday, 02/27/2006, 5th Period)

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Discussion - Today's Topic: Dreams & Dream Interpretation

Homework - Dream Journal

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After Class

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OOC

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