My first thought on contemplating my review of this book was “not another dream book.” However, having read a previous dream book by this author, I found it to be insightful and useful for those who are thinking about or are actively engaged in dreamwork.

Dr. Fontana is an experienced psychologist in the area of dreamwork and teaches at several universities. His previous publications on dreams have been translated into 21 languages.

This current volume too is useful and definitely not a ‘fluffy’ dream book. True, it is sumptuously illustrated in colour and printed on highly quality paper stock, but this just enhances the important message that the author is giving.

You can use dreams as a way of unleashing the power of your unconscious mind. He walks the reader through the history of dreams and dreaming, including some sound theory on the nature and purpose of sleep.

It is accepted by psychologists that the unconscious realm is unbounded by any of the rules we follow in our waking life. The bizarre content of the dreams we remember are probably the tip of the iceberg. We would not be able to live a ‘normal’ waking life if all the information our unconscious mind holds was constantly available to us.

It gets filtered and sometimes important messages are sent to our subconscious and conscious mind through symbolism that has personal meaning for us. A deeper aspect is what Jung termed the Universal Unconscious. This is the thread of symbols, often called Archetypes, that is common to all people, whatever their culture.

The unconscious affects our behaviour, dreams and personality. I believe it holds the key to solving our problems, enhancing our creativity and ability to create the life we desire.
In the first section common dreams are examined and there is a first exercise to begin the work. After this, each major chapter comprises a page or two on background and theory, some straightforward psychology, and a case study and/or dream exercise.

Dr. Fontana draws on traditional Jungian analysis and psychoanalytic techniques developed for his dream workshops. The exercises increase in complexity as the dreamer gains experience. There is at least one pertinent illustration on every page which will stir the imagination or provoke your own memories.

Dreamwork can be used for a number of purposes, some highly practical and others not so. So much of this work depends on creative visualisation and the early exercises aim to train the imagination to both connect with and interpret the generally bizarre symbology of dreams.

Dr. Fontana first helps the dreamer connect with the dream world. Then attention is paid to dream control. I am slightly wary of dream control, as it could restrict the free flow of information from the unconscious.

A large section is devoted to dream interpretation. This is not the usual dictionary of dreams catchall, but a considered discussion with exercises. The nature of dream symbols, landscapes, archetypes, and personal mythologies are explained. It is emphasised that the meaning of a lot of the symbols will be personal to the individual dreamer. The next part explains how to use dreams to move toward self-understanding. There is a useful section on childhood dreams and also how to neutralise nightmares.

The final section deals with how the dreamer can get direct help from their unconscious mind, how to listen to dreams. An excellent exercise on clarifying relationships is included here.

As a serious work on dreams and dreaming, this book gets an emphatic thumbs-up. It is written in a clear empathetic style. Dr. Fontana is a very experienced dreamwork psychologist and it shows.

My own foray into dreamwork while reading this book was to create my own personal dream journal. I found that it took all night to dream and all day to record my dreams – I had no time for anything else! It was fun with a delightful and energising purpose.

I recommend this useful book for anyone who is ready to learn more about themselves. Dream on!

– Reviewed by Jennifer Hoskins in New Dawn No. 98