It is all nonsense, to be sure; and so much the greater nonsense inasmuch as the true interpretation of many dreams - not by any means of all dreams - moves, it may be said, in the opposite direction to the method of psycho-analysis.

Arthur Machen’s quote explores the nature of dreams and critiques the method of psycho-analysis in interpreting them. He acknowledges that many interpretations of dreams are seen as nonsense, but adds that the real interpretation of some dreams actually goes against the traditional approach of psychoanalysis. Machen implies that psychoanalysis, which often seeks to decode dreams based on past experiences, personal conflicts, and repressed desires, may not always be the best way to understand them. Instead, he suggests that certain dreams might require a completely different, perhaps more intuitive or spiritual approach to interpretation.

The key idea here is the opposite direction Machen refers to, suggesting that the true meaning of some dreams doesn’t align with the logical or scientific methods used in psychoanalysis. This hints at the idea that some dreams might have meanings beyond the personal and psychological, possibly touching on the mystical, symbolic, or collective unconscious, areas that psychoanalysis often overlooks. In this view, dreams could be seen as larger than life, not just reflections of inner turmoil or past trauma.

Machen’s critique also highlights a tension between rational and irrational approaches to understanding the subconscious. Psycho-analysis is grounded in a scientific framework that seeks to bring order and understanding to the chaotic, symbolic language of dreams, whereas Machen seems to favor a more philosophical or metaphysical view, one that might not be easily explained by traditional psychological theories. This reflects a broader debate in the field of dream analysis—whether dreams are simply byproducts of the mind or gateways to deeper, transcendent truths.

Ultimately, Machen’s quote invites us to reconsider how we approach the interpretation of dreams. While psychoanalysis offers a structured framework for understanding the unconscious, it may not capture the full complexity and mystery of dreams, particularly those that seem to defy conventional interpretation.