Our dreams are a second life. I have never been able to penetrate without a shudder those ivory or horned gates which separate us from the invisible world.

Gerard De Nerval's quote, "Our dreams are a second life. I have never been able to penetrate without a shudder those ivory or horned gates which separate us from the invisible world," reflects his fascination with the mystical and psychological aspects of dreams. De Nerval suggests that dreams serve as an alternate existence, a realm where the boundaries of reality are dissolved and where the unconscious mind can explore without the constraints of waking life. In this context, dreams represent a space of exploration, offering access to a deeper, hidden dimension of experience.

The mention of "ivory or horned gates" symbolizes the barriers that separate the physical world from the invisible world, which can be understood as the realm of the unconscious, the spiritual, or even the supernatural. The gates represent a threshold that divides the known and the unknown, with De Nerval expressing an uneasy awe about crossing this boundary. The shudder he describes indicates his sense of trepidation or reverence for what lies beyond, implying that accessing this hidden world is both a profound and unsettling experience.

The quote speaks to the mysticism and romanticism that were central to De Nerval’s work, as he was often drawn to themes of the unseen, the supernatural, and the dreamlike. His exploration of these concepts in his writings reflects his belief that dreams hold the key to unlocking deeper truths about existence, but that those truths may be difficult to fully comprehend or confront.

The origin of the quote is rooted in De Nerval's personal engagement with the realms of the unconscious and the mystical. A 19th-century French writer and poet, he was known for his works that often blurred the line between reality and imagination, and for his deep interest in psychology and spirituality. His experiences with mental illness and his fascination with dreams and the invisible world gave rise to much of his poetic imagery, including his vision of dreams as a "second life."