The unconscious mind contains the two distinctions, namely the personal and collective. The personal distinction holds the individual experiences of a person, while the collective distinction grasps the dream symbols that appear, having the same sequences in all human beings.

Dream symbols appear in similar formats based on the theories of Carl Jung.

• The Persona signifies the images and dream symbols that is directly associated with the real world. These are mostly disguised and have dream meanings that pertain to one’s social status and distinction. The Persona is also labeled as the mask used by a person to present one’s self to the others. In dream interpretations, the Persona shows the relationship that a person would want the world to accept and a character that could protect one from rejection.

• The Shadow is the underdeveloped part of the human psyche, containing characteristics of a person that evolves based on the life experiences one encounters. This presents the unconscious dream meanings that imply a person’s instincts and weaknesses. In Jungian dream psychology, the Shadow contains the unconscious desires and experiences that the mind keeps which is basically rooted in childhood. The irrational instincts involve a projection of one’s flaws to the incapacities of others, forming an illusion with reality and symbolisms encountered in dream interpretations.

• The Animus or Anima is the idealistic image of man or a woman. Carl Jung’s dream psychology notes the Animus or Anima as the unconscious expression of one’s inner feminine or masculine personality. In dream symbols, it may present itself in a form of an existing human person as the ideal man or woman that a person idolizes. Because society has established gender roles, these distinct images are repressed and manifested as it is hidden in dream meanings.

Carl Jung’s dream psychology proposes that dream symbols cultivate creativity. He believed that all dreams come in a sequence to help a person develop and evolve as one delves into the dream interpretations presented by the psyche. The acceptance what dream meanings imply would help people in accepting and realizing the Self and the characteristics that a person possesses.

The theories of the studies of Carl Jung in dream psychology concentrates on the negative aspects of a person’s characteristics as it is masked and kept in dream symbols to avoid reality. As dream meanings are discovered, translated, and accepted people are able to transform and apply these negative characteristics to more positive means.

Jung suggests that individuals have the responsibility for their lives, regardless of the most painful and difficult circumstances. Responsibility in one’s actions and decisions should be achieved and avoid projecting one’s weaknesses to that of others. The patterns of dream symbols encountered by a person coordinate with one’s life experiences.

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Dream interpretation has been an important factor in getting to know ourselves better. In psychology, patients who seek help are encouraged to slip in a sleep-like state to bring out what the subconscious mind holds. Dreams, as well as the subconscious mind, have always been the “keepers” of one’s uninhibited desires and emotions that are best kept hidden.

Archetypes are formed by our own, individual subconscious mind therefore it’s only normal to have hundreds, if not thousands, of archetypes known in the history of dream psychology. In truth, only our minds know how and when these archetypes will be used and how they can affect our daily living. They are what our subconscious mind perceives however, there also lies the dangers of having too many archetypes influencing your personality as they are bound to contradict each other and eventually cause stress to the person.

Although there are many different archetypes representing characters or personalities there are only five main archetypes according to Carl Jung:

The shadow, the anima, the animus, the self and lastly, the persona.

·    The Shadow. The shadow archetype is always a negative one, representing the things that we would rather not show. This is one’s darker side, hidden to everybody else. We may or may not acknowledge it but we know deep within that it exists. Those who prefer to deny them are almost always haunted by the shadow in their dreams and fighting them is a futile battle as they always win—at least in your dreams.
·    The Anima/Animus. These archetypes are associated with sexuality—or rather, contrasexuality. While a man and a woman both have their own set of rules to live by, it was said that deep within them, there exists a balancing nature in which both genders act as one. The Anima or Animus archetypes control that part.
·    The Self. Self is considered as God or the spirit within us that connects us to the Universal spirit. It unifies your conscious and unconscious life. The self archetype is our core being.
·    The Persona. Contrary to the Self archetype, this type of archetype is how we would like the world to see us. This is our self-imagery, an image we want to emulate. It can also be considered as your mask to protect your true being.

The way your subconscious mind forms archetypes is based on your experiences, people you have met, things you associate, and just about anything which concerns you. They may be hereditary—or even by instinct, deeply embedded within us since birth. Culture and tradition also play a very important role in forming archetypes. Taking note of these things will help you identify your own archetypes when they manifest in your dreams. Keeping a dream journal will help you recognize your archetypes and the role they are playing within your subconscious.

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Critics believed that Shakespeare had unwittingly introduced the concept of dream theories most psychoanalysts use today and eventually, changed the way we see dreams in general. Shakespeare had been vocal eversince about his belief that dreams are portent of the future as evident in his dream quotes as well. Some of his most popular pieces are marked by dreams prior to major turn of events but what really embodied his belief are the dream-like settings he so fondly used for most of his masterpieces, one of which being the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” where the absurd, magical world of faeries was brought to life. Moreover, dreams and visions played a big part in the play Macbeth as almost every action made by its characters was based on their perception while asleep.

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According to Carl Jung, mythology has been the perfect model on how people react and behave when faced in uncertain situations. It reflects clearly what kind of people we are and every story in Greek mythology harbors truth and justification albeit hidden in words. Dreams, on the other hand, are our gateways to the collective unconscious part of our minds since dreaming knows no boundaries and possibilities are limitless. In dreams, the collective unconscious can be heard without being judged unlike when in reality.

Collective unconscious is a general term and it has its own ranges. It can be passive repository in which the mind chronicles the events that had taken place during the entire history of man or it can be an active one which makes reality emerge. Also, collective unconscious is believed to be culture-influenced which affects all its members and can vary from one culture to another.

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In Greek mythology, demons are used and applied referring to a God or Goddess but generally, it was referred to as a force or spirit that comes between gods and human. Overtime, it gathered negative connotations and therefore settled to becoming associated with devils and the likes. Both demons and devils are considered as evil spirits and fallen angels of God and they are usually mistaken for one another although they are quite different in meaning and definition.

In Christianity where demons are fixed characters as well as key role players, demons are not just malevolent spirits but they are sent from hell to enforce evil missions and convert human beings from believing God to non-believers. They are deceptive beings and they can switch into undetectable forms, often creating scenarios that will compel a human being to doing evil things.

It was said that demons have their own limitations therefore they are not invincible. They can be defeated with faith and according to the Christian bible, demons like Satan himself cannot read a person’s mind but they have mastered the predictability of the human nature which they use to play games with humans. Apparently, they are free to roam the world and they are not confined to four corners of hell.

According to Carl Jung, demons belong to the Jungian archetype the trickster which is an important archetype in the history of man.

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The hero symbolizes in us the need for triumph and glory in the face of life’s challenges and difficulties.  Most often, these trials and difficulties are problems which seem insurmountable or too overwhelming.  This archetype inspires us to continue and to persist.

The hero archetypes in stories usually have a quest.  This quest, naturally, is fraught with challenges, enemies, threats and dangers to the hero’s life.  In folk or fairy tales, heroes on a quest have to pass a certain test and end by successfully passing and marrying the princess (or similar figure).  Variations like villains kidnapping the princess are common as well.

Most of us like the hero archetype because it is noble.  The hero archetype is most often identified as the protagonist, someone who is self-sacrificing or a good and brave person.

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The trickster breaks the rules, sometimes unconsciously but with ultimately positive effects.  When they break the rules it is usually in the form of tricks or thievery.  They are cunning or foolish and sometimes both.

One of the more famous tricksters in literature is Reynard the Fox.  He was summoned to the court of King Leo the lion to answer for various crimes which he allegedly committed.  Other animals like Bruin the Bear, Baldwin the Bear, Tybalt the Cat and Hirsent the she-Wolf gave testimony against him which Reynard always proves false by using different strategies and explanations that outwit the evidence of the accusers.  In the end Reynard became a hero.

In modern media, Reynard has evolved into various trickster types like Bugs Bunny who always seem to outwit Elmer Fudge and Daffy Duck.  Aladdin from the Disney movie is another hero-trickster type of character who used his “street rat” knowledge to win the hand of the princess Jasmine.  We also have Wile E. Coyote who always plays tricks Roadrunner and was patterned after the Native American trickster figure Old Man Coyote.

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This archetype is characterized by being old, bearded, father-figure type who uses his great personal knowledge of the world and offer guidance through stories and may impress upon his “student” who he could become, thereby taking the role of “mentor”.

Carl Jung described this archetype as the” Sennex” or latin for “old man”.  Historical examples of Sages in Greece are Solon of Athens who is credited with the political foundations for Athenian democracy.  Chillon of Sparta from whom sayings like “Nothing in excess”, “honor old age” and “ do not laugh at other’s misfortune” came from.

In literature, they are Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series, Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda in Star Wars and Gandalf in Lord of the Rings.

In real life, the wise old men may be Benjamin Franklin who had great influence during the American Revolution and Jiyang Ziya the great military strategist and Prime Minister during the Zhou Dynasty of China

Wise Old Men allow the main protagonist to develop or to find themselves and their potential.

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Jung said our experiences with our mothers are our first formative ones.  Later on these experiences will manifest itself on how we treat other women, other people in general, life as a whole and to some extent, our own bodies.

Modern society has a great pre-occupation with the great mother, albeit most of the time unconsciously.  We show great concern to Mother Earth, from which all life on our planet came from.  There is also Mother Nature who has the power to create life and destroy it.  She has great power over nature from which all life depend on.

Christians also believe in Mother Mary who gave birth to the Savior of Mankind, Jesus.  Such a strong belief has spawned faith in Marian apparitions at Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal.

The great mother archetype is a great image which is present in all of us, regardless of race, religion or gender.    The image is usually of a female surrounded in shimmering light.  This image connotes the unconditional love of a mother and her sacrifice for her children.

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This archetype is present in all of us.  We were all children once and probably wish, once or twice, for the innocent and care-free days of our childhood as opposed to the complicated and chaotic world of adults.

We also manifest this archetype when we need reassurance or comfort from other people.  There are times when we need a hug or a pat on the back, this is our inner child speaking to us, seeking recognition.

The child archetype in literature is sometimes portrayed as children who display adult like qualities.  Linus Van Pelt in Peanuts and Lisa Simpson in The Simpsons are both wise beyond their ages.

The Abandoned or Orphaned child can be Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz who found herself in a strange land, wanting to go home or Annie in the comic strip Little Orphan Annie who seeks the love of a parent.

The Divine Child is symbolized by Christ and can be interpreted as the self seeking spiritual growth.

All of these variations of the Child archetypes are said to be the inner child in us speaking to us looking for acknowledgement.

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