ENCLOSED, ENCLOSURE

The defences we use, such as pnde, beliefs, anger, to protect ourselves from deeply feeling the impact of the world, relationships, love, anxiety or pain. These are often felt as traps or restraints, even though they are parts of our own personality.

For instance one may feel trapped by one’s own feelings of dependence upon family.

Example: ‘1 am trapped in a bricked room with no way out and I shout for somebody to help me. Then either a big bird or a creature with long arms tries to catch me, and I scream’ (Karen S). Karen had previously lost a baby, been divorced, had an unsatisfying relationship with a man. She feels trapped by the defences she has herself built ‘brick by brick’, but is frightened of the opportunity of change represented by the bird. What encloses or traps us in our dream gives a clue to what constrains us in waking.

Example: ‘As I go through a tunnel it either gets smaller so I can’t get through, or it goes on so far there is no end to it. I am trapped and terrified’ (Don M). This son of enclosed dream is typical of trauma relating to a difficult binh. In fact Don’s mother was in labour for four days, and never had another child because of the pain.

1- In dreams, the defence mechanisms we put in place to prevent ourselves from deeply feeling the impact of such things as relationships, love, anxiety or pain can often manifest as an enclosed space. Restraints and constraints can appear as actual walls and barriers.

2- Aspects of ourselves which are too frightening to be allowed full expression are often perceived as enclosed spaces.

3- Spiritually, any enclosure represents the protective aspect of The Great Mother (See Introduction).

Psychological / emotional perspective: Aspects of ourselves that are too frightening, disturbing or private to be allowed full expression are often perceived as enclosed spaces.

To be in an enclosed space suggests an exploration of these aspects.

To be outside this space signifies a fear of them.