There are many ways we can connect dreams to astrology, and many don't require that you know all about your Natal Chart. In this column we will be exploring the symbolic rather than predictive aspects of astrology. Symbolic astrology attempts to use the images of astrological to give meaning to one's life and empower choices rather than predict paths. We do this by imaginal overlay. In this process we impleach, (poetically interweave)dream, image, feeling, life and symbol in a way to evoke a felt sense of the dream's imagery and its position in our life.

This year we are focusing each month on a different House.
The inner circle of the Natal or Birth Chart is divided into 12 distinct regions know as Houses. They relate to everyday activates. One will be about physical appearances and temperament, while another relates to possessions, for example. Planets and signs fall within these Houses and influence the areas of focus. We will be watching for images of planets, signs and other celestial events and hopefully begin to see the emergence of an astrological chart that dips into birth charts, dreams, and our waking life.

Eleventh House: Aquarius. Acquaintances, clubs and societies that meet for particular reasons or causes. Intellectual pleasures, and other activities, hope and wishes outside the home.

Dream: I'm at a men's club and I'm playing chess with an unknown person who seems to be a friend at the club. I notice there is another game going on across the room. One of the players is very focused on the game and I think to myself that he must be new, and hasn't learned to enjoy just playing with others. My chess friend asks if there will be a speech this year at the annual chess meeting. I think about what I might say if I'm asked to speak and how I would like to be able to advance the chess society by doing away with intense competition. In my plan, after each move, you would have to say something you liked about the person you were playing with.

At the mundane level of the Eleventh House, there is a sense of "Everything in the Shop is seen in the window, but there is nothing inside." The detached intelligence of the Aquarian house seems more concerned with superficialities of social & intellectual life. However, at a more subtle level, there is a transition from the singular mind to the larger collective mind. In its positive aspects this transcends group-think where the participation is voluntary and the individuality is not lost, but a meaningful part of the larger process. That this takes on a playful tone in the Eleventh House does not diminish the significance.

Dream: I'm walking along a beach with my husband just after sunset. There is a dance group on the beach performing some kind of primitive circular dance. I notice that everyone is holding a different object and somehow I know these are like the gifts of the magi, special gifts of one's individuality. There is a gap in the circle and I realize I could join and complete the circle if I had something to give. My husband tells me that I'm the gift and I join the dance.

This connection/dis-connection with the group also shows up with those who have not yet found their special social gift.

Dream: There is a birthday next door party for a little girl and I'm invited. I don't have a present but my mother sends me with one of her favorite blue scarves. When I go in the house, there are lots of games being played, but I don't really know what the rules are and just wander around feeling lonely. I want to give a gift to the little girl, but feel uncomfortable holding this adult gift and not a toy. I see a pile of gifts opened on the refreshment table and they are all dolls and other toys. I feel like crying when the little girl's mother puts her hands on my shoulders and tells me that the scarf could be a toy too. I still feel it is like a gift from my mother and not a gift I want to give.

This missing link may also show up in people who confuse inner and outer desires. Many deep people feel that social organizations are superficial and forced structures, and don't feel warmly accepted in these gatherings, projects, boards, religions and other groups. Generally they are seeking a deep inner connection in an outer realm and feeling disappointed. These people have difficulties expressing their uniqueness in ordinary ways. Others overcompensate and become social butterflies, always hanging on the greatness of others and avoiding their own contributions or recognition of their contributions.

Dream: I have to get to the front lobby to announce and escort the ambassador to the chamber meeting. But there is a lone street person who has gotten in the building and is trying to steal food from the reception table. I think to myself that it is someone else's job to deal with him, but feel uncomfortable. If I go past him without dealing with him, others will say I was shirking my responsibility. I also have to bring all the food out for the reception tables. I feel very frustrated. I also have to make sure all the place cards are set up on the tables and feel that all I do is fix things up for other people without having a place card or table for myself. I leave the vagabond and hope he will disappear when I come back with the ambassador. While walking down the hall, I notice I have food in my pockets.

Again, the challenge of this house seems to be in finding one's uniqueness and profundity in the traditionally superficialities of group interaction and everyday life.

In dreams we can watch for both the dark and light. The dark dreams will help us see problem areas where we have become blind to our own social interactions and the light dreams will offer us opportunities to emotionally enjoy the simplicities of social interaction. Together they can guide us into a higher octave of understanding and practice where the one meets the many and the many meet the one.

M. Aionia

Next month: 12th House: Beginnings and endings, seclusion, service to others, self-sacrifice, individuality...

Send in your 11th house dreams to
M. Aionia at aionia@dreamgate.com