Barrow-Down Dreams

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by the phantom

I was in Bree at the Prancing Pony eating an awesome steak. Kuru was Barliman for some reason, and he warned me not to talk to anyone there because they were upset about something or other.

Oddwen was playing the drums in the corner, but whenever I looked over there she would say something like "Stop looking at me, you're making me nervous." And she threw her sticks at me after I kept looking. And I seem to remember Hookbill telling her to calm down (HB was playing a flute next to Oddwen).

Beth and Esty walked up and insisted that the steak I was eating was theirs, and that I needed to reimburse them. I wanted to explain that I bought it at the Inn, but they talked nonstop and didn't let me get a word out. I put my head down and covered my ears till they left. But if I'm remembering right, when I looked up I wasn't in Bree any more, but at some house or another, and I think I was playing poker with several people including Vesper Lynd, who was really Fea, and Anthony Hopkins, who was actually Mithadan.

The interpretation of this dream is quite simple, if you know what to look for.

Bree represents the Downs and the Prancing Pony represents a particular thread. Your consumption of steak represents your posting in that thread and the fact that the steak is awesome shows that you are enjoying posting there. Kuru, however, represents that side of you that constructs skilful and logically correct arguments. This side of you is warning you about something.

Oddwen is playing the drums with drumsticks – wooden objects. And she too is warning you against doing something – something to do with wood. The importance of the drumsticks is highlighted by the fact that she throws them at you. Hookbill, playing a light instrument, the flute, represents your light-hearted side.

Beth and Esty, representing the Downs community in general, are telling you that it will be costly for you to continue eating the steak, ie posting in the thread. The game of poker, a risky pursuit, also indicates that what you are doing is risky.

Putting this all together, you are being warned about posting light-heartedly in a particular thread, relating to wood, but in a manner which does not meet your usual standard of debate. In your dream, you are telling yourself that, if you continue to do so, it will be at risk of great cost.

Clearly, this dream relates to your posts in the “I Found the Entwives” thread. It is warning you that, if you continue to pursue your ridiculous and logically flawed point in that thread, you will risk costing yourself your reputation and standing in the Downs community.