A strange narrative dream. I was at school or something when I encountered a portal, out of which came robed travelers. I think they were looking for someone else, but took me with them instead. Their leader was some great horned thing, maybe red. They had the power to travel between “narratives”, where they would go up one level and go to a place where they were considered “fiction”. I think they mentioned they traveled from the 1st to the 3rd narrative, and ours was supposed to be the 2nd one. I think I said bye to my brother before I left, and my parents knew because they later called me. In the 3rd dimension, we were in some sort of awful slime-filled bog. One of the other members that looked like a crocodile expressed doubt in me, and tried to trap me in a bubble using their magic while the leader was meditating (they didn’t call it meditating, but I don’t remember the word for it). I think I ended up eliminating the other member instead, with the others not really caring too much until some sort of event happened that caused the leader to wake up. Everything was hazy after that, though I do remember us going back to their “headquarters”. What the leader told me there was different from what he first told me, and it almost felt like I was deceived a bit. He said something along the lines of “the best way to leave your mark is a handprint” instead of using their powers to actively help others, they would use it to leave behind traces that they were once there. I asked him if a narrative was a single multiverse, and he said no. I asked how big a narrative was and he gave the comparison that said the sun was relatively big when it was young near the start of the universe, but now it is dwarfed so much by the rest of the cosmos. One of the other members asked if he could open the portal this time, and the leader allowed him to. He prayed and two serpentine-like figures coiled up on the wall one at a time, opening the portal. Then, I remember getting chewed out by my cousin for not wanting to worship ancestral deities. I think I gave him the excuse that I couldn’t because I was so cut off from my own culture, which he accepted. Then, I remember starting to have doubts about my position in the group. My parents called me from the 2nd narrative, and I told them I was okay and that the leader would start teaching me “magic” soon. I remember being in the headquarters again and receiving a message from God in the form of an electronic message. It started off as “You have kept your faith, my child” and had a whole paragraph more, but I forgot the rest. I was confused as my faith in the dream was shaky, but I went with it. I think I asked if there was a way to stop or defeat the leader (a less likely question would be if I was going to learn how to open portals soon) and the electronic message cut to a visual representation. A shotgun shell was broken open, and the buckshot balls all spilled out onto a table. They crashed against each other like billiard balls and flashed the number “89”. This was repeated for a bit, but I don’t remember the rest of the results. I remember later asking someone else if it was possible to defeat him in a higher narrative, and they said it was unlikely depending on what he manifested in. If it was in an outdated electronic device maybe, but it would be almost impossible if it was in a modern one.
Dreams often serve as a reflection of our subconscious thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In your dream, several themes emerge that can be unpacked for deeper meaning:
Portals and Travel Between Narratives: The portal symbolizes transitions and new opportunities in your life. Encountering robed travelers and being taken with them suggests that you may feel pulled into a new experience or phase, potentially against your initial wishes. The concept of "narratives" implies different layers of understanding or existence, highlighting a desire to explore various aspects of your identity or knowledge.
The Horned Leader and Faith: The horned figure represents authority and power, perhaps embodying fear, control, or guidance. Feeling deceived by this figure may indicate struggles with trust or uncertainty about where your life is heading. The leader’s message—that leaving a handprint is the best way to leave a mark—could reflect feelings of inadequacy or a struggle to find meaning in your actions.
Family Connections: The interactions with your parents and brother signify emotional ties and support systems. Their acknowledgment of your departure implies a tension between familial duties and your quest for independence and self-discovery. The phone call from your parents offers reassurance and connection to your roots.
Doubt and Transformation: The crocodile-like member's doubt and your subsequent reaction might mirror feelings of imposter syndrome or fears of being unworthy in your endeavors. The bubbling of tension between group dynamics and personal doubts may showcase your inner conflict about fitting in or asserting your identity.
Messages from God and Faith: Receiving an electronic message from God emphasizes a search for validation and faith amid uncertainty. The juxtaposition of doubt and divine assurance highlights the struggle many face regarding belief and spirituality. This part of the dream suggests an inner dialogue about your values, connections to faith, and what you understand as "divine."
Symbolism of the Shotgun Shell: The imagery of the broken shotgun shell spilling its contents, combined with the number "89," might symbolize an explosion of potential or opportunity that could overwhelm you. The significance of the number may have personal meaning or relate to significant events in your past.
Higher Narratives and Seeking Power: Your inquiries about the potential to defeat the leader within a higher narrative reflect a desire to understand your circumstances better and perhaps seek control over situations that feel formidable. This could express an ongoing struggle for empowerment within your personal experiences.
Overall, this dream appears to be a complex interplay of seeking identity, navigating change, expressing doubt, and grappling with faith and authority in your life. Consider what areas in your life may resonate with these themes, as they may offer valuable insights into your current state of being and future direction.