◎ Lucky dream Traditionally a lucky sign
The Heavenly Rock Cave: a wish to shut yourself away or a stalled time. A door opening means a long dark spell will end.
Category: World mythology (how to read this category)
Psychology
Shutting yourself in a cave suggests a hurt heart closing the door to avoid more pain, a protective response rather than weakness. If lively sounds outside draw you, the mind may already be preparing to step out.
Folklore and history
Per the Kojiki, grieved by Susanoo's violence, Amaterasu hid in the rock cave and the world went dark. The gods conferred; Ame-no-Uzume danced, the gods roared with laughter, and when Amaterasu peeked out they showed her a mirror and a strong god pulled the door open, restoring light.
A portable shovel for clearing dirt from poor footing at a ruin or mountain haunted spot, or for digging a car out if it gets stuck in snow or mud.
CAPTAIN STAG Steel Folding Shovel with Bag M-3249, Portable, Outdoor/Camping/Car Use
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This site's view
In this site's view, it was laughter, not persuasion, that brought back the light. If you were inside the cave, you may wait for someone's cheerful presence rather than being dragged out by reason. If you knocked from outside, the one inside may need warmth and noise, not words.
Going deeper: our reading
According to the Kojiki, to coax Amaterasu out of the rock cave the gods made long-crowing birds call and hung a mirror and jewels on a sacred sakaki tree. When she opened the door a crack, a mirror was held before her, and the mighty Ame-no-Tajikarao pulled her out. In this site's reading, the mirror scene deserves attention. Seeing yourself in a mirror means you are realising that some light remains even in the self that withdrew. Being led out by the hand suggests a time to let someone you trust open a door you cannot open alone. Birds announcing dawn mean a long night is ending. This is our speculation, but preparing the festival outside the cave shows a wish to wait warmly for someone close who has withdrawn, rather than drag them out.
What to do on waking
Pick one video or book that makes you laugh out loud today. Closed doors open little by little to cheerful sounds.
In this scene
- ◎Good Praying or visiting: wanting to settle your heart; a wish may be heard (good)
- Receiving words from a god: the strongest kind of oracle — keep the words
- ▲Warn The god is angry or turns away: your conscience asking for a review (warning)
- It felt good: the lucky reading gets stronger
- ▲Warn It felt frightening or painful: the warning reading gets stronger — rest first
- The same dream again and again: something your mind has not settled yet
A safety item for avoiding a wildlife encounter on the way to a haunted spot in the mountains or an abandoned village where bears might appear.
Mont-bell Trekking Bell Square Silent 'Monta Bear', Bear Bell with Mute Function, for Mountain Climbing/Hiking #1134332
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FAQ
Q. Is dreaming of the Heavenly Rock Cave a good or bad sign?
A. Traditionally a lucky sign. The Heavenly Rock Cave: a wish to shut yourself away or a stalled time. A door opening means a long dark spell will end.
Q. Why do I keep dreaming of the Heavenly Rock Cave?
A. A recurring dream usually points to something your mind has not settled yet. Research suggests such dreams tend to stop once the underlying worry is resolved. Keeping a dream diary helps you notice what triggers it.
Q. What should I do after dreaming of the Heavenly Rock Cave?
A. Pick one video or book that makes you laugh out loud today. Closed doors open little by little to cheerful sounds.
Related dream essays
- True Dreams and Reverse Dreams: Why We Read Dreams Backwards
- Buying Dreams, Turning Dreams: A Japanese History of Dream Trading and Dream Charms
Read this dream with your own scene in the Dream Dictionary →
More dreams in "World mythology"
- Odysseus
- Jormungandr
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Yatagarasu
- The White Hare of Inaba
- Umisachi and Yamasachi
- A Winged Cat
※ Dream interpretation here is entertainment drawing on psychology and folklore — it is not scientifically proven. "This site's view" is our own interpretation.
