About Jerry Gifford
Dream Interpretation Specialist | Jungian Psychology Student 30+ Yrs | Animal Rescue Advocate
Words in Bold Red are Links to a Webpage or Website
30+
Years of Experience
4,500+
Dreams Interpreted
15,000+
Forum Posts
15/*40
Rescued Cats - Current/*Total
In the Beginning: A Transformation
In 1992 at the age of 42 I began my journey of self discovery with an introduction to American Mythologist Joseph Campbell in the popular PBS series program The Power of Myth {with Bill Moyers}. That experience led me to Carl Jung and his philosophy and concepts on dreams. In a single night I began a transformation, shifting from a product of social conditioning into my true self. I am aptly known as an 'intuitive Jungian, inherently possessing the 'basic' knowledge of Jungian concepts and theory. Through my website the Power of Dreams I've expounded on this process and began to use these skills to help others understand their dreams, and in doing so discovering my 'shadow' and resolving the darkness it unconsciously possessed over me in adult life. After 27+ years of study and personal search I am now in retirement, working with dreams, designing and maintaining my websites and caring for 14 rescued homeless cat. My Kitty Fund.
My Introduction to Jungian Psychology Was Through Joseph Campbell
Joseph Campbell is best known for his work in comparative mythology and religion and his exploration of the many facets of the human experience. Among his admirers was George Lucas whose Star Wars trilogies was based on Campbell's Monomyth, the basic patterns found in many narratives from around the world. The phrase 'follow your bliss' is largely attributed to Campbell in teaching his students at Sarah Lawrence College, his idea of bliss involves finding that thing in life you love doing most and making that your profession, your life.
My Journey
1998: Creativity & Website Design
I began a self-taught education into web design and later that year began the construction of my first website Myths-Dreams-Symbols. That website became my tool of expression and has helped me to develop personally, psychologically and spiritually. I've discovered in Jungian psyche, creativity is an inherent and integral aspect of a balanced life. I designed and established the Dream Forum in 2005 and built a condensed version of MDS in 2012 with my website Power of Dreams. Today I regularly use AI {primarily Anthropic/Claude} in assisting in revamping the website to current SEO applications as well as with designing new pages.
Mid-1990s to Present: Dreams
I first began analyzing/interpreting dreams in the mid-1990s at various dream websites when the internet was still relatively in its infancy. There were many and varied methods of dream interpretation but I discovered by using Jungian concepts I was able to provide sound interpretations. The more I applied Jungian concepts the greater success I had. As a lay person working in a field that is very much academia I felt I had gained insights into the dream world that would normally require many years of deep study in a university environment. I am known what is known as an 'intuitive Jungian' naturally possessing a spontaneous, unlearned map of depth psychology directly within my own awareness. As the years passed I've put this 'intuitive' ability to practice and with my practical work with dreams I've gained greater insights to the natural processes of dreams. I now know from the years of experience I can confidently and competently analyze any dream. I am not alone in this ability. The internet is full of websites where Jungian psyche is the prime premise for understanding and interpreting dreams.
2005: Dream Forum
I designed and placed online my Dream Forum. The forum allows visitors to post their dreams for analysis and interpretation {my interpretations have always been free}. I have interpreted more than 4,500 dreams with the follow-up responses from the dreamer and other comments totaling more than 15,000 posts. From this experience I have gained insights to dream structure as well as the many applications within a dream. My success in analyzing dreams has led me to the strong belief that all dreams can be interpreted by an experienced dream analyst {using Jungian concepts}. I have also discovered that I am what is known as an 'intuitive Jungian'Contrary to popular thought I have found dreams are no longer a great mystery. Their language of symbol and metaphor {with a focus on emotional energies and patterns} allows true insights to what lies within the dreamer's unconscious. My Dream Forum is a catalog of my work and a verification of Jungian concepts.
2013: Animal Rescue
I became involved with homeless and sheltered animals and as of February 2023 care for 14 rescued domestic and feral cats {see Kitty City}. This was not what I had planned in my retirement years but having had rescued cats in my life for nine years prior to my involvement in animal rescue it did fit with the 'hero deed' where one responds to the 'call to adventure'. It is pretty much a full-time job often limiting my time with dream analysis and my websites. But having failed too many times in my responsibilities in personal relationships it is obligatory that I not fail this test. And let's not forget my one-time response 'it is only a cat'. Those words have made it imperative I follow through with this responsibility to my furry felines, atoning for an aggrieved action on my part some 40+ years ago.
Life Today
Today I am retired and living in Altoona, Florida. I work one day a week with the family fence business that I started in 1978 and which my son now owns and operates in the Orlando, Central Florida area. This pays for maintaining Kitty City. My real passion is in working with dreams and my websites. At the same time I have continued to work through the personal issues that defined my early adult life and prevented me from fulfilling my responsibilities in relationships. In resolving my 'shadow' and understanding the strong emotional energies that had led me {up until my discovery of Jungian psyche} I have been able to discover and become my 'true self', able to discipline myself to fulfill my duties and responsibilities in caring for my homeless felines.
Physical Fitness
Physical fitness continues to be a vital part of my lifestyle {a routine I began in 1980} and is vital in maintaining a balanced, healthy life. While pressures are inevitable in life, physical fitness has allowed me to manage these pressures and maintaining a healthy body. I always take time to counsel anyone who wishes to listen about the virtues of physical fitness. Experience is wisdom and I have learned from experience at the age of 76 {2026}, life is much more pleasurable and livable when you have good health. My physical routine is a 45 minute workout 3 times a week and along with a proper diet {but not unsustainably strict} I am able to live life without medications and physical impairments. The old adage of 'pay me now or pay me later' comes much sooner when you are at that late stage of life.
In Conclusion
My religion is of the spirit of soul and nature. My purpose is no longer unknown and misguided, life being more than merely living by the norms. I have cast aside the old self of social duty and have learned new rules of creativity and true spiritual living. Living by the rule 'think psychologically, live spiritually' my life cycle is in the final stages. What comes after this life I do not know but I do not dwell on what can't be known but instead what has been experienced. I have to accept what life has been in its short existence. Regrets, I have many. Responsibilities, I have but one {Kitty City}. I see this life as a journey and experience for the soul. The body will die but the soul continues on its journey to its next experience. I won't say I look forward to the next experience but I have no fear of the transition. This journey has had its peaks and valleys. I reached the highest peak when I discovered my creative self. It is my sanctuary.
Interpreting Dreams is using a Natural Intuitive Process and basic Jungian concepts
What people are saying about Jerry's interpretations
