A Subconscious Mirror Image, Myself

A few nights ago, I had a dream. To be brief, in this dream I was hanging upside down, suspended by the left foot by a rope wrapped around my ankle. I was hanging against a wall from the threshold of a door, where normally a set of stairs would be constructed. However, past this threshold there was only a 90 drop to the floor below, and me hanging there.

When I awoke I recognized that the way I was suspended was exactly that of the Hanged Man from various tarot decks. The image above is from the Light and Shadow tarot, the most frequently used by me.

Just now, I finally got around to googling some information on the symbolism and interpretation of the Hanged Man. Those of you who know me know that I do not believe in chance, and that everything that seems like a coincidence is merely an opportunity presented by the universe to see through the veil of our mundane, over-rationalized experience.

Here is some of what wikipedia had to say about the Hanged Man. It is incredibly resonant with me, especially in light of my recent series of revelations.
The Hanged Man is a card of profound but veiled significance. Its symbolism points to divinity, linking it to the Passion of Christ in Christianity, especially The Crucifixion; to the narratives of Osiris (Egyptian mythology) and Mithras (Roman mythology). In all of these archetypal stories, the destruction of self brings life to humanity; on the card, these are symbolized respectively by the person of the hanged man and the living tree from which he hangs bound. Its relationship to the other cards usually involves the sacrifice that makes sacred; personal loss for a greater good or a greater gain.

Serenely dangling upside-down, the Hanged Man has let go of worldly attachments. He has sacrificed a desire for control over his circumstances in order to gain an understanding of, and communion with, creative energies far greater than his individual self. In letting go, the hero gains a profound perspective accessible only to someone free from everyday conceptual, dualistic reality.

rewards

So, it might not be news to many of you that smoking weed diminishes one's ability to recall dreams. Indeed, this is not news to me, either. However, this summer after I significantly cut back on smoking (for the first time in four or more years), I began to recognize that I gain much more through dreaming than getting stoned. I also accomplish much more in my waking life. Still, when school started again, I fell back into my old routine of smoking all day every day. This had negative repercussion both for my internal condition and my scholastic obligations. About a week to a week and a half ago, I voluntarily cut back on smoking. Okay, it was partially involuntary, since weed costs money and I can't afford it right now, but some of you can verify that I have started turning down offers to smoke with those who can, in fact, afford it. Anyway, the point is, my dreams are returning in their fullness. They usually come to me right before I wake in the morning, but sometimes they draw me out of my sleep in the dead of night.

There, there

There is always an island sailing you to shipwreck.

... ... ...

Just 'cause you feel it doesn't mean it's there.

sitting on the bottom of the pool

After I went back to sleep, I had another dream. This time I was swimming in a pool. According to DreamMoods.com, swimming

"...suggests that you are exploring aspects of your unconscious mind and emotions. The dream may be a sign that you are seeking some sort of emotional support... . To dream that you are swimming underwater, suggests that you are completely submerged in your own feelings. You are forcing yourself to deal with your emotional difficulties."