Frankenstein, Dracula, the Werewolf, witches and other monstrous creatures have titillated the imagination for decades, spawned many novels like the current Twilight series and continue to make fashion and aesthetic statements, including the latest – fang implants. Why are we seduced by them?
Here’s what your favorite monsters are trying to tell you:
* Vampires – According to the original Bram Stoker’s Dracula, vampires need to be invited in. Consequently, all those alluring vampires in your life who steal your time, space, and drain your energy with their dramatic issues – well you invited them into your life! Perhaps, they are your trophy friends and you bask in their excitement. Open the window to let them and their toxicity out.
* Frankenstein – Mary Shelley’s character was created good, intelligent and kind. However, the villagers frightened by his deformities, harassed and emotionally tormented him until he reacted. Basically, they created their own monster in their own reflection. Is there someone you hate because he or she mirrors something about yourself you don’t understand or dislike? You can change for the better.
* The Werewolf – Transformation can be scary and everyone needs to howl periodically. Suppression and self-silencing can lead to illness. Can you accept your shadow self and embrace all the components of your personality? What you suppress can come back to haunt you. Reconcile those opposites to feel more authentic.
* Witches – Traditionally female and by the way how many have we burned at the stake for being different or telling us the things we don’t want to hear? Is there a witch in your life complaining that you don’t do your fair share of the household drudgery, pitch in with the kids, make a mess, etc.? Maybe it’s time you listened attentively instead of tuning out. Then follow up with actions that speak louder than her words.
* There are at least two sides to every story. Consider the children in Hansel and Gretel worrying their stepmother by running away to the forest, tormenting a senior citizen by calling her a witch, literally eating her out of house and home and then shoving her in the oven! Or how about little Red Riding Hood strutting her stuff like a tease in the forest with her hot basket of goodies wafting in the air to tempt a hungry wolf?
Facing your internal fears is similar to reinterpreting a child’s nightmare with that proverbial happier ending or shining a light on a shadow. Reframing with a positive and kinder interpretation will help you to address your inner conflicts which keep you from self-actualization.
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