Of Sirens and Satan and Sisters and Snow

This morning I had an unusual dream. I know, dreams are weird by nature, but lately they’ve been really vivid and included many people and symbols I’ve never encountered before. And I know it’s SO BORING listening to other people’s dreams but I’ve decided hey, this is my blog, so if I’m going to write about something I’ll do it here and folks can choose whether to read or pass on by. Those who read on are about to discover that I’m a little woo-woo, but if I keep overthinking what’s appropriate to post then my blog is going to fade into the ether and there are at least three people who think that would be sad. Yes, I am one of them.

So in this dream I’m back behind “our home” and there is a huge wall of snow, 20′ high and maybe 60′ wide. It’s loosely packed, like snowflakes have fallen but not melted or stuck together. I’m shoveling it away from the wall when I notice a big, dark hole has opened up. I remember thinking to myself, “Don’t be that dope who falls into the hole she just dug and gets swallowed up!” Then I notice it’s not a hole so much as a really large space left behind by a giant rectangular block of ice that has fallen away from the wall. I step over to the block and wipe away the snow from the surface to reveal, encased in ice, a 10′ tall sculpture of… (insert drumroll here)… the Starbucks logo. Ummm, the what now?? I look again and there she is, the goddess from the Starbucks logo carved from an enormous block of grey stone. It was actually quite lovely!

Upon waking I remembered the details but was unclear on the symbology at play. I suck at symbology and I don’t even like Starbucks, their coffee tastes like cigarettes. Of course I made Jon listen to my retelling and he suggested perhaps it was not the logo I was being shown, rather it was the original goddess or mermaid or whatever it is that the logo was based on. Ah, yes, genius. Thank the heavens for sending me smart people!

I did some reading about the logo and discovered there is quite a lot of story rolling around the interwebs about this chick. The official story says she was based on a Norse carving of a siren and was intended to represent the maritime history of Seattle, where Starbucks began, and also maybe the seductive quality of their coffee (hence the boobies and suggestive pose used in the original logo?).

My reading also took me to the Starbucks blog, where I found a little gem that resonated in my heart. In this post the writer describes the meaning behind the siren, claiming:

“…she’s a promise too, inviting all of us to find what we’re looking for, even if it’s something we haven’t even imagined yet.” (Posted by Steve M., senior writer, 2011)

I am definitely in Seeker mode, inching ever forward but not toward any particular goal. I’m really not sure what the future holds for me and, at least in the split second I’m writing this, I’m okay with that. I think we creative souls often find ourselves wandering and feeling a bit lost as we await our next inspiration. Although I have many moments of fear and insecurity during times like these I try to remind myself that inspiration comes when I least expect it, and that a quiet mind and trust in the universe always lands me on the right path when the time comes. There, now it’s in writing and I can come back and remind myself as needed.

Image source: Illuminati Official 

Despite this satisfying explanation, I was quickly distracted by more captivating stories suggesting that she is a symbol of the Illuminati. The Illuminati! Most of those stories are written by conspiracy theorists suggesting the symbol is satanic and the Illuminati are the devil’s flock of heathens sent to destroy us all, which seems odd considering the Illuminati themselves claim to be all about seeking the light. I prefer the description provided by Illuminati Official on their own website (yup, even secret societies have websites now):

The Illuminati is an elite organization of world leaders, business authorities, innovators, artists and other influential members of this planet. Our coalition unites influencers of all political, religious, and geographical backgrounds to further the prosperity of the human species as a whole.” (www.illuminatiofficial.com)

So maybe my dream was offering reassurance that powerful forces are working behind the scenes, emerging from secret sanctuaries, being awakened and brought forward by the need in this country and this world for their power to heal and unite and strengthen us as a whole? That the light-bringers are coming and shit is about to get real? This concept is much more aligned with my thinking. Call me an optimist but I choose that over Satan.

I have no additional images to express snow, dream symbology, Illuminati, etc. so here’s my snowball tree blossom

Last but not least, I suddenly remembered I have personal history with Starbucks! Back in the ’90’s when it was small but expanding my sister encouraged me to invest what I could in the coffee company. Now, my sister was an English major and worked as a proofreader at this time. She knew zip about investing but her reasoning was compelling – it had come to her in a dream. I was 26 or 27 and a dream seemed as good a reason as any so I took my life savings – all $2000 – and put it into Starbucks. The stock took off and we were ecstatic… and then my perspective shifted.

I was dating a guy who had recently moved from Portland and when he heard I had invested money in the company he was disgusted. Upon my impressionable and idealistic young mind he heaped tales of the giant caffeine-fueled monster that had torn through the Pacific Northwest destroying all Mom and Pop coffee shops in its path. Being a Virgo (and therefore a compulsive seeker of justice), this new information forced me to reconsider where and how I spent my money.

Luckily at my moment of crisis my sister’s guiding investment angel sent her a brainwave called Qualcomm. That stock took off like a rocket so, despite my questionable investment strategy, it all worked out in the end. I should note too that I have since forgiven Starbucks, despite their burnt coffee and occasionally questionable ethics, because at this moment in time big companies doing good things are needed, and I believe they are doing good things. And their bathrooms are always clean, which I appreciate.

In the end it was a good lesson for me. Whether or not it was factually accurate in the case of Starbucks, the concept of supporting people and businesses I believe are doing good in the world has since become an integral part of my life.

Jon created this bench and sitting area recently. It’s a great place to sip beer, watch sheep graze and ponder the future.

So where does this leave me in my attempt at dream symbology and interpretation? Well, it’s got me writing again, so that’s something. It got me thinking about my sister, whom I miss every day, and reminding me of better times when, together, we flew by the seats of our pants, made good and bad decisions often based on flickers of intuition and wild guesses, and generally began forging our way as adults in the complicated grown-up world around us.

Maybe most importantly of all I discovered there’s a whole website for the Illuminati and I can apply to be a member! Universe… are you trying to tell me something??

Me and my beautiful sis in Cabo around 1999

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References:

Steve M., Senior Writer (2011, January 05).
“Who is the Siren” http://www.starbucks.com/blog/so-who-is-the-siren