The early attempts to understand the meaning of dreams had no scientific basis, however, they are still worth being examined, because they show at least the approach of men to their dream and to dream in general.

Dreams fall within the creative activity of the mind: we would be able to grasp their purpose, if we could understand the expectations of men for them.

We are just at the beginning of this investigation, but now we must face a surprising issue: apparently, the connection of dreams with future has always been taken for granted.

Men used to believe that a spirit guide, a god or an ancestor controlled their mind and influenced their behaviour during their dreams.

They relied on dreams to find help in case of difficulties.

The ancient books of dreams predicted the future of dreamers based on their dreams.

Primitive people looked for good omens and prophecies in their dreams.

Greeks and Egyptians attended their rites asking for a sacred dream able to influence their future life: these dreams were regarded as therapeutic treatments which could even soothe physical or mental disorders.

Native Americans used to undergo purifications, fasts, hot baths and great efforts to evoke dreams, whose interpretation deeply influenced their actual behaviour.

The Old Testament stresses the ability of dreams to predict future events.

Nowadays, some people claim that they have made premonitory dreams and that the things predicted have actually happened.

They believe in their ability to act as clairvoyants during their dreams, as the latter can somehow peek into the future and predict the forthcoming events.

And probably this is true! From a scientific point of view, these assumptions sound quite ridiculous.

Since my first attempts to investigate the issues relating to dreams, I have realised that awaken men are already in full control of their faculties.

Notwithstanding, we must consider this tradition of mankind which somehow connects dreams to fortune-telling; perhaps we shall find out that dreams are actually linked to our future, and there may be an element of truth.

Actually, it is not an exaggeration to say that men hope to solve their problems during sleep.

We are waiting for your dreams, which shall be welcomed and interpreted with the utmost genuinity and scientific accuracy...