We all dream throughout the night, during our periods of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Why is it, then, that some people almost always remember their dreams whilst others hardly ever do? Nobody knows for certain. One theory is that introverted types find it easier to recall their dreams than more extraverted personalities. Since introverts feel more at home in their inner world, there could be some truth in this. In my experience, though, what matters most is motivation. Do you truly want to remember your dreams? Follow my suggestions, be determined to persevere - and you will.

Your dream journal

Find yourself a good quality notebook in which to record your dreams. You may find an unlined version useful in case you want to make drawings of your dream images. Keep your book within easy reach your bed, together with a pen and a bedside lamp or a torch in case you wake up from a dream during the night. Some people prefer to record their dreams into a mini tape-recorder. This is fine but bear in mind that you'll need to spend time transcribing the tape later.

The evening before

Research indicates that alcohol and drugs inhibit dream recall. If you're serious about studying your dreams, have no more than a glass or two of wine with your evening meal. It's also advisable to avoid stimulants like caffeine which may keep you awake or disturb the quality your sleep. Before you go to bed, spend a little time relaxing, letting go of the events and concerns of the day.

And so to sleep

In your dream journal, make a note of the date. This is a signal to your unconscious mind that you intend to remember a dream. Place your journal right by the bed, open at that page, ready for action! As you begin to drift off to sleep, tell yourself that when you wake up, you will remember a dream. Do this a few times - then let go and sleep.

Recording your dream

The process of forgetting a dream starts very soon after waking. So the moment you wake up, reach for your book and pen and start writing down anything you can remember. try to remain in the position you were in when you woke up. The more you move, the more your dream will tend to slip away. At first you may recall nothing more than an image, a feeling or a fragment of action. Write it down anyway. The process of recording your dreams is a bit like priming a pump. You may need to try several times before the flow comes.

Love all your dreams!

People often don't bother to write down a dream which seems rather ordinary because they think that it can't be important. I hope you won't fall into the trap of judging your dreams like this. They are all important in their own way. Your inner being wants you to decipher and act upon the messages it sends. Even if you don't understand a dream, the mere fact of paying attention to it will register with your unconscious mind. It will then continue creating dreams about that particular issue until the meaning finally becomes clear.

NOW PERSEVERE!

(Sun Taurus, Moon Scorpio)