what's happening
Dreaming of swimming
Read two ways. Let them disagree, the truth often sits between.
Artemidorus · Oneirocritica
Drawn up, it speaks of To swim easily across a river or harbor foretells a difficulty crossed by your own labor, the far bank reached. For merchants and travelers it promised safe passage and business concluded.
Drawn down, it warns of To swim in rough or darkened water warns of an affair that will demand more strength than you counted on. The old readers noted the shore, if you never see it, the trouble has no near end.
Jungian · the collective unconscious
Drawn up, it speaks of Swimming is the ego moving through the unconscious on its own strength, in the water but not swallowed by it. You are in something deep and still relating to it, stroke by stroke, and that is the healthiest posture a dreamer can hold.
Drawn down, it warns of Swimming that exhausts you, or against a current, is the psyche reporting that you are fighting the very material meant to hold you up. Ask whether the effort is keeping you afloat or wearing you down to the bone.
Did you dream this?
Keep it before it fades
Write the dream down in your journal and the cards will name its symbols for you, or have the whole dream read in full.