Tuesday, June 17, 2025: 9:30 PM: I’ve gotten the sense today during quiet moments that I really need to start writing down and interpreting my Visions and Dreams again. However, I also got the sense that I needed a more structured way of doing it.
Not because I’m testing myself or out to prove to anyone else that I have second sight. I need to do it so I can make better use of that aspect of my uniqueness.
So, this evening I sat down with Copilot and came up with this guide for recording and reflecting on my dreams more intentionally. It lays out sections to help me capture the vivid details and explore the meanings behind each dream.
I plan to use the prompts where applicable to delve into my emotions, symbols, and any connections I notice. I’m told by Microsoft’s AI that it’s generally best to fill in the sections of a template like this right after we wake up from a dream or vision to keep the details fresh. But we’ll just have to see how well that works out.
Regardless of when I document a dream, later on I can use this structure to analyze and connect the dream to my daily life. The template is as follows:
- Dream Title: Give the dream a short, descriptive title that captures its essence or main theme. A creative or evocative title makes the entry memorable and easier to reference later. For example, if you dreamt of chasing a sunset across the sky, you might name it something poetic that reflects that imagery.
Example: “Chasing the Sunset” (a brief title highlighting the dream’s key image) - Date & Time: Record the date of the dream and the time you woke up from it. This helps you track your dreams chronologically and see patterns over days or weeks. Including the time (especially if you awaken from a significant dream in the middle of the night or early morning) can provide context; for instance, noting if it was a predawn dream which you remembered in detail.
- Dream Type / Category (optional): Optionally, categorize the dream by type. Labeling the dream can provide quick context and help you later group similar experiences. Examples of categories include Recurring Dream, Nightmare, Lucid Dream (if you were aware you were dreaming), Precognitive (if it felt like it foreshadowed a future event), or Symbolic/Abstract (if it was rich in symbols or non-linear images). Choose any label that fits or leave this blank if uncertain; you can always assign a category upon later reflection.
Example: Type; Symbolic (possible recurring theme of “searching”) - Dream Narrative / Description: Write a detailed narrative of the dream, describing it exactly as you remember. Include the sequence of events, locations, characters, dialogue, and any standout images or actions. Be as vivid and specific as possible: note colors, sounds, textures, and other sensory details (for example, “The sky was deep purple, and I could hear faint music”). Don’t worry about flow or logic; even abstract or disjointed scenes should be recorded. If the dream was fragmentary or nonlinear, jot down the fragments in the order they come to mind. The goal is to capture the dream’s content fully so you can recall and analyze it later.
Example: “I find myself wandering alone in a vast desert under a blazing sun. The landscape is endless dunes of golden sand with a pale blue sky overhead. I feel the heat on my skin and hear only the wind; there are no other people in sight. As I walk, anxious and thirsty, I notice footprints ahead of me, which I start following. After what feels like hours, I spot a small hut in the distance. Relieved, I rush toward it to seek shelter. Just as I reach the wooden door, I wake up with my heart pounding.” - Emotions & Mood: Describe the emotions you experienced during the dream and note how you felt upon waking. Our feelings in dreams often hold crucial clues to the dream’s significance. Were you scared, joyful, confused, curious? Did the mood shift at any point? Jot down both the specific feelings (e.g. fear, excitement, relief) and the overall emotional tone or “vibe” of the dream (e.g. tense and dark, or peaceful and comforting). If the intensity of an emotion stood out (like overwhelming dread or unusually blissful happiness), highlight that. Also note your mood immediately after waking; sometimes waking up frightened, calm, or sad can further indicate how the dream affected you. Describing the emotional atmosphere will help you interpret what the dream might be touching on subconsciously.
Example: During the dream I felt anxious and isolated, especially while wandering the desert. I also sensed a thread of hope when I saw the hut. Upon waking, I was a bit shaken but mostly curious and relieved that the lonely trek was over. - Key Symbols & Characters: List the key symbols, images, characters, or other notable elements that appeared in the dream. These could be objects, animals, places, or people that made an impression on you. For each one, you can note any personal association or meaning it might have for you. For example, if there was a snake, you might write that it reminded you of transformation or danger, depending on your personal feelings about snakes. If certain symbols or themes have shown up in your dreams before (recurring symbols), mark that down too; repetition can indicate an important motif your subconscious is working with. Identifying these elements now will make it easier to interpret the dream later, as symbols often carry deeper messages or reflect aspects of your life.
Example: Desert; feeling of emptiness or being lost; Small hut; safety or a source of hope/protection; Blazing sun; pressure, urgency, or an overwhelming force; Footprints; signs of a path or guidance (someone has been here before me). (No other characters appeared; I was alone, which itself is symbolic of isolation.) - Interpretation & Meaning: Now, reflect on what the dream might mean to you. This is a free-form analysis or “reflection” section. Look at the narrative, emotions, and symbols you recorded and ask yourself “Why did I dream this?”. Consider how these elements might connect to your inner thoughts, fears, desires, or experiences. Dreams often speak in metaphors and analogies; try to decode them in the context of your life. For instance, examine the symbols: what might each represent about your psyche or situation? (Common examples: water in a dream might symbolize emotions or the subconscious, flying might represent freedom or ambition.) Also pay attention to the feelings: an intense emotion in the dream could mirror something you’re going through in waking life. If you’ve had a similar dream or theme before, note that and think about what was happening in your life during those times. Recurring dreams or symbols can reveal patterns; for example, someone might notice they dream of tornadoes whenever major life changes are looming, indicating anxiety about upheaval. Write down any insights or “aha!” moments you have about the dream’s message. There’s no right or wrong answer here; you are exploring possibilities. The interpretation might be immediate, or it may evolve over time; just start with your best guess about what your subconscious is communicating.
Example: This dream seems to reflect my current life situation. I’ve been feeling “lost” in my career lately, and the vast desert in the dream mirrors that sense of isolation and lack of direction (deserts often symbolize feeling directionless or alone). The burning sun beating down on me likely represents the pressure I’ve been putting on myself to figure things out quickly. Notably, I found a hut, which I interpret as a sign of hope or help appearing when I need it most. Perhaps my subconscious is reassuring me that even in a barren period, I’m not truly alone and there will be guidance or relief (a “shelter”) if I keep going. Overall, I believe this dream is telling me about my own resilience and hope: it acknowledges my anxiety about the future but also shows a light at the end of the tunnel. - Connections to Waking Life: Here, connect the dream back to your daily life, intentions, and actions. Explore how elements of the dream relate to what’s happening in your world. Does any part of the dream reflect a real-life situation, recent event, or feeling? Often, dream events will mirror or comment on our waking experiences. For example, dreaming about being lost in a desert might parallel real feelings of being lost in your career (as in the example above). Ask yourself if anything yesterday (or lately) might have triggered aspects of the dream; maybe a conversation, a stress, or something you focused on during the day. Also consider your daily intentions or goals: sometimes our dreams respond to what we care about most. Does the dream provide insight into an intention you set? Does it highlight a conflict between your subconscious and your conscious goals? Another angle is to check if the dream ties to a past issue or a future concern. Is it dredging up emotions from a past experience, reflecting a current challenge, or even pointing toward a future hope or worry? In the case of precognitive dreams, you might note if anything in the dream felt like it could literally happen later; this way you can watch for it. If you suspect a dream scenario might be predictive, write it down here as a hypothesis and later you can verify if it came true. This section is about integrating the dream with your real life, ensuring your journaling is not isolated to the night but influences your day. By drawing these connections, you may discover your subconscious commenting on your life choices, validating your feelings, or offering guidance.
Example: It’s clear that this dream connects to my waking life. Just yesterday I was overwhelmed at work, worrying that I have “no clear path”; which is exactly how I felt in the dream’s desert. The dream echoed my current intention of finding clarity in my career. In my morning meditation, I had set an intention to “stay hopeful and open to guidance”, and interestingly the dream gave me a symbol of hope (the hut) appearing on the horizon. This feels like more than coincidence; it’s as if my subconscious is reinforcing that intention, telling me not to give up. There were also no other people in my dream, which makes me think of how I’ve been handling my problems alone lately. The appearance of the hut could be a hint that I should seek support (perhaps mentors or new opportunities) in real life, instead of wandering solo in my struggles. In summary, the dream strongly mirrors my feelings of career uncertainty and encourages me to remember that help will come (and that I should be willing to accept it). - Action Steps or Responses: Consider if your dream suggests any action or response in waking life. Dreams can be insightful, and sometimes they carry implicit advice or nudges. Ask yourself: “What do I want to do differently or keep in mind because of this dream?”. This might include mindset shifts, concrete actions, or new intentions. For instance, a troubling dream might prompt you to confront a fear or reach out to someone; an inspiring dream might give you a creative idea to pursue. If the dream highlighted a problem, you could decide on steps to address that issue while awake. In the case of a dream that felt like a warning or lesson, think about adjustments you should make (e.g., if you dream of a health scare, you might choose to adopt healthier habits as a precaution). Remember, one benefit of journaling is translating dream insights into personal growth. Even precognitive or vividly guiding dreams can offer you a choice in how to act; you can heed the message and make changes or simply note it for future reference. Write down any intentions, decisions, or changes you plan as a result of reflecting on the dream. This keeps your journaling proactive and aligned with your intentional living practice. It could be a small action for the day, or a long-term resolution influenced by the dream.
Example: This dream inspires a few action steps for me. First, I’ll talk to my mentor about my career confusion; symbolically, that’s like heading for the “hut” in the desert, seeking guidance instead of wandering alone. I also realize I should practice stress management (so the “sun” of pressure doesn’t burn me out). I’ll resume my habit of evening meditation to stay calm and focused despite uncertainty. Additionally, I’m setting a new daily intention: “embrace hope and look for guidance,” to remind myself that support is available. These actions feel like practical responses to the dream’s message of perseverance and seeking help. If the dream was indeed giving me a gentle warning about isolation, taking these steps is my way of answering that warning with positive change. - Additional Notes & Follow-Up: Use this section for any extra information or later updates to your dream entry:
- Lucidity or Sleep Details: Note if this was a lucid dream (did you realize within the dream that you were dreaming or exert any control?). Also add any relevant sleep details: for example, whether your sleep was deep or restless, or if you did anything unusual before bed (like meditation, a late meal, sleeping in a new place). These details can sometimes explain the vibe of a dream or why it occurred. You might also log your sleep quality (e.g., “slept 8 hours, but woke up twice”) or even the phase of the moon or other factors, if those matter to you. Some people sketch a quick drawing of a powerful image from the dream in the margins; if you’re artistically inclined, you can doodle something like the desert scene or the hut to capture the visual essence. All these are optional but can enrich your record. They make your journal more comprehensive and visually engaging, helping you remember the dream better when you revisit it.
- Follow-Up (Re-visit): Leave space to come back and add notes in the future. Upon later reflection, you might discover new insights or correlations you didn’t see initially. For example, days or weeks later, an event might happen that relates to your dream; this is especially important for potential precognitive dreams. If something in the dream comes true or a symbol makes sense later, record that here. This follow-up can confirm if your intuition was on point (such as a dream about an old friend coinciding with them reaching out in real life). It’s also useful for noting if your feelings about the dream have changed over time. Regularly reviewing your dream journal may reveal that certain dream symbols consistently precede real-life events or emotional shifts, and you can document those patterns explicitly. Treat this section as a living part of the entry that you can update with any “after the fact” realizations. Example (Follow-up, one week later): A few days after the desert dream, I indeed received a surprise job lead from a former colleague; an opportunity that felt like an “oasis” in my career desert. I noted in my journal that this development resonated with the dream’s promise of finding help. This makes me appreciate the dream even more, as it seemingly anticipated that something positive was on the horizon. It wasn’t a literal prediction, but it metaphorically prepared me to stay hopeful. I’ve added this update to reinforce the connection between the dream and reality. Going forward, I’ll pay attention if I ever dream of deserts again, since now I know they tend to occur when I’m feeling directionless and might soon find a new path.
Copilot tells me that by consistently using this template for all types of dreams; whether it’s a confusing abstract image, a symbolic storyline, or a startling precognitive dream; you create a rich log of your inner life. Microsoft’s AI indicates that over time, one’s dream journal will help them improve Dream Recall, spot recurring themes, and understand themselves on a deeper level.
Microsoft Copilot Pro also reminds us to be patient with ourselves in this process. Even dreams that seem trivial or bizarre can offer insight when recorded and reflected upon.
The AI also says it can help me take a dream and reformat it into the structure of the template. If that’s true, that will greatly expedite things. “We shall soon find out!”