A Guide to Dreams and Sleep Experiences

by Tony Crisp
Example: ‘A ritual began whereby a laige knife was drawn and a few deep cuts were made to both our faces. I put my hands to my face and saw them covered with blood, crying and crying’ (OS). Similar to initiation. In the example the girl is with her boyfriend; she may thus have been ‘initiated’ into sexual activity, sex with her boyfriend has changed her image of herself.

A ritual depicts important change, such as entrance into puberty; deeper levels of oneself; new attitudes or skills; just as marnage is an entrance into a new type of life and social situation. From the wider sense of self our unconscious has, things are seen as important which consciously we feel are trivial.

A ceremony in a dream brings such things to our atten­tion.

Ten Thousand Dream Dictionary

by Pamela Ball
also see Religious Imagery

1- When we dream of taking part in a ceremony or religious ritual we are conscious of a new attitude or skill that is needed or an important change which is taking place in our lives.

2- Any major life change has a profound effect on the dreamer and this is very often shown in dream form as a ceremony.

3- Ceremonies and rituals are used for initiation, deeper awareness and to establish new order.