I Had the Strangest Dream...: The Dreamer's Dictionary for the 21st Century    by Kelly Sullivan Walden Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2006 (2006) Softcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Belle Dessler The world of the subconscious is a mysterious one indeed, particularly so when it involves the often-debated interpretation of dreams. We all ponder the meaning behind our bizarre nighttime concoctions, but as the author tells us in the Introduction, 'it is rare not to have a strange dream ... In our fast-paced world of globalization, double- half-caf low-cal no-whip soy mochachinos, and turbo-speed Internet access, our dreams are working overtime to keep us sane.' With that intriguing and uplifting introduction, Walden becomes our guide to our own personal dream worlds. I had to chuckle when I came across the Good News & Bad News heading and read the following: 'The good news: there is more than one way to interpret a dream. The bad news: there is more than one way to interpret a dream.' Although it sounds like the author isn't offering any solid answers to dream analysis, I believe she's simply allowing the reader to dig deep into his or her own subconscious and make sense of the symbols in a way that's relevant to his or her own experience. However, Walden does provide useful and insightful advice that helps set the reader on the right path. She begins by defining a number of different types of dreams, such as Breakdown/Breakthrough Dreams, Recurring Dreams and Precognitive Dreams. My favorite section, is the 6-step guide to dream interpretation. In it, Walden offers a simple system that helps with remembering dreams and discerning the hidden meanings within them. The Dream Dictionary makes up the bulk of the book. And no wonder, with more than three thousand classic and contemporary dream symbols covered, this is one comprehensive resource! As the title of the book suggests, this really is The Dreamer's Dictionary for the 21st Century. Where else can you find definitions for such symbols as Frequent Flier Miles ('a reward for your spiritual work, a bonus for your good karma and your ability to frequently fly above the mundane and connect with a bigger, more spiritual vantage point') or Oprah Winfrey ('signifies altruism and inspiration, and that you are exalting your gifts for the benefit of all'). Ever have a dream about a strange Ring Tone? According to Walden, such dreams 'signify your self-image, and that you are realizing that you have creative control over your life and personal expression', while dreams about Low Carbs represent 'your desire to lose emotional baggage.' Like any dictionary, I Had the Strangest Dream... is organized alphabetically by symbol, making the right dream image easy to find, even in the wee hours of the night when you turn on your bedside lamp and reach for this book. It should find a permanent home on your night stand. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews