Jung and Artemidorus

By Jean Chiriac

In his famous work Dreams Interpretation, Artemidorus states, among other interesting things, that the objects and beings dreamed by experienced dream interpreters are symbols.(1) Why does this statement surprise us? Because it reminds us of Jung's perspective on interpretation. Unlike Freud, who approaches the dream content related to real objects (human beings and events, things etc.) - on the object level - Jung adopted subsequently the so called subject level (2) in which, same as in Artemidorus case, the dream content is regarded as symbolic.

Thus, if for example we dream the image of a house with several floors, Freud's interpretation will be based on the dreamer's associations connected precisely to the house itself, while for Jung the same house can evoke the spatial structure of the psyche (soul) with different compartments representing different personality areas or specific interests. (3)

The question is if Jung took over the idea of dream symbol from Artemidorus and adapted it to the interest of his psychology. It's obvious that Jung cannot overlook Artemidorus book about dreams - so, was he inspired by him?

It must be said that for Jung the dream has no prophetic implicit qualities, such as for Artemidorus, but it refers to a personal development called individuation process. Following this process the individual ego engaged in it is confronted with the collective unconscious and he has to assimilate its contents, more precisely new ideas and concepts which extends and compensates its one-sidedness. By gradually assimilating these contents the ego refocuses as towards inner and outer reality. It becomes complete, plenary; a phenomenon described through the alchemical term of conjunction of opposites.

Dreams' interpretation becomes an essential work instrument for going through this process because the dream is the messenger of the unconscious or of the archetype of psychical totality. It offers precious indications regarding the assimilation of the unconscious.

In this context Jung's approach cannot be compared with Artemidorus'. It is an approach related to a certain philosophy or mystic of the soul, which has nothing in common with the antique idea of dream prophecy. We would have to add that the dream symbol for Jung does not send to exterior objects or situations - the beloved woman, the desire to travel, the fear of a person etc. - as it is the case for Artemidorus, but to inner processes.

Still, it is not sure that Jung's centering on the integration of the individuation process while working with dreams means that he was not influenced by Artemidorus theories.

Notes:
1. Artemidorus: Assuming for instance that a person who is good in interpretation, either because he has read dream interpretation books or because he has spoken with dream interpreters, is good in giving assessments, happens to be in love with a woman, he will not see in his dream the beloved woman, but a horse, a mirror, a ship, the sea, the female of a wild beast, woman clothes or anything else that can have the meaning of a woman. Assuming he wants to make a trip, he will not see vehicles in his dream, a ship, trip blankets, luggage or trip preparations but he will dream he is flying or he will see in his dream an earthquake, a battle or a thunder or anything else that can symbolize a travel. Assuming he is afraid of somebody or wants to stay away from a person, he will not see in his dream the person itself but will dream he is avoiding a wild animal, breaks chains, kills thieves or brings sacrifices to gods and all sort of dreams in which he makes others get rid of their fear and unrest.

2. Regarding the subject-object level see our article on dreams here .

3. A pertinent comparison of the two interpretation methods was published in our Dream Interpretation Methods email course. Click here to learn more...

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