“Are you okay?” screams my frantic mother down the phone line.
“Fine,” I respond.
“Is Matt okay?” she asks about my partner. “Mum, we’re good, what’s this all about?”
“Your father dreamt about teeth last night, look I have to go, we have to call Greece and see if everyone there is okay.”
International phone calls at my parent’s household go up 100 per cent all because one of my parents had a bad dream. After they’ve called all their family in Australia, they ring around the horio, then any other family dispersed in the Greek diaspora to find out the inevitable bad news. But is it inevitable? Will someone learn of a death because someone dreamt of a death? Logical much? Here we have yet another Greek superstition on steroids – dreams.
Dreams are successions of images, ideas, emotions, sensations that occur in your mind during different stages of sleep. Some dreams can make us smile all day, some are forgettable and some shake us to the very core. Some dreams are so intense that we get a physical response from them while we are sleeping, to the point of being woken in the middle of the night. But are dreams the result of a bad sleeping pattern or a heavy dinner before bed. Or, are they really premonitions of what’s ahead? Move over coffee cups, outta the way clairvoyants, tell your yiayia what you dreamt of last night and she will certainly have the answer to whether or not you are going to meet Mr Right.
According to Greek myth, god Hypnos brought sleep to mortals by touching them with his magic wand or by fanning them with his wings. Hypnos’ son Morpheus sent dreams down to the sleepers below. And this is where the premonition legacy began, as it was believed Morpheus would send warnings and prophecies to those who slept at shrines and temples. But – everyone’s favourite party pooper – Aristotle, had a complete different understanding of dreams.
He believed that if someone dreamt of sickness, it was because they were unconsciously recognising symptoms with their body. Sounds too simple, doesn’t it? I mean if you dream of your teeth falling out, it’s not because you have spent your Monday at work subconsciously thinking of dentures, it surely must mean you are about to get some very, very bad news. Dreaming of teeth falling out, teeth crumbling or tooth decay is easily one of the most recognised dreams universally as being the bearer of bad news. People will spend the day after the dreaded ‘tooth’ dream trying to find something bad in their day. Stepped in dog poo? Must be because in bed last night, whilst asleep your teeth fell out.
Circumstance and rational thinking go out the window when it comes to Greek dream premonitions. And it’s not just the dream, there are superstitions that surround dreams as an event that have to be adhered to.
Next week, Spring starts, so just forget about everything you conjure up in your dreams because it’s not going to come true. Spring is a time for relaxation and according to Greek superstition, it’s also that time of the year where dreams really don’t come true. And it’s the only time to give yourself a break when you dream of fire – which is another bad dream.
And never ever tell anyone what you dreamt about the night before, when it is night time. Only share your dreams with others during the day to ensure they don’t come true. Tell anyone you had a dream about being stuck in the mud literally, well then it’s stenohoria for you paithi mou. Dreams have also found a way to permeate into Greek traditions too. How many of you single ladies have put koufeta under your pillow after a wedding in hope of dreaming of Prince Charming?
But with all the doom and gloom you will be sure to face after your mum has interpreted your dream, Greeks can still remain ever so sensible. Ever had a dream of someone chasing you or falling? Well, that’s only because you had too much to eat before bed, which considering the amount we eat, and the time we eat it, it’s safe to say that Greeks are well and truly a bunch of dreamers.
The Greek guide to dream interpretation
Blood Bad bad bad. Careful what you do the day after you have this dream and don’t buy lottery tickets, waste of money.
Boat If the boat sails away from you, then so will your problems, but if the boat is damaged then you are in the throes of your life’s worries.
Dogs Enemies ahead. Woof-woof! Fire This one’s a bad one, too.
Fish You will get some news that will upset you.
Money You are surrounded by gossip.
Mud Some say good news, some say bad news. The consensus at Neos Kosmos is that this is bad news (sorry) and, not just any old bad news, it means pain, sickness and suffering!
Naked baby Your own baby is good luck, but if you are holding someone else’s baby then this means problems.
Poo If you dream of number-twos then you will come into lots of money. So get pooing.
Priest Unfortunately, seeing priests is bad (sometimes in life too).
Red Like blood, dreaming of the colour red means something bad will happen… fast!
Sea A calm see means you will have a calm and happy life. But if the sea is rough and choppy then it’s stenohoria for you, I’m afraid.
Sky A clear sky signifies your dreams will come true but if you dream of a black sky, with clouds then black times ahead – hard and tough times.
Snakes Friends ahead (who woulda thunk it?)
Smoke (someone smoking) You will meet a new love – Marlboro anyone?
Teeth If you dream of breaking, decaying teeth or your teeth are hurting the you will hear bad news from your loved ones. But clean and strong teeth signify that you will live many years.