The Oneiric Orrery

Clambering across the great twisting bridges of dyed silks, you finally arrive at the lone, towering isle upon which rests the Orrery. Far below, sea waves crash against the towering stone formation. The wind is strong here, but also playful — It threatens to push you off, but doesn’t dare make good on that threat.

The orrery itself is a vast structure of patinated copper, with long-faded engravings and incomprehensible sigils painted along its sprawling form.

Inside, the walls are painted to resemble a vibrant cosmos of twisting nebulae and strange geometries. Countless planets move through the orrery on tarnished bronze mechanisms. If you look closely, you can make out scenes…

Background

I have been plagued by surreal and vivid nightmares since I was very little. For a long time I was terrified of sleeping at all because my dreams frightened me so intensely.

I have had a few abnormalities surrounding my sleep, most notably regular sleep paralysis and near-daily exploding head syndrome/hypnagogic hallucinations.

My feelings about my vivid dreams and nightmares have changed a lot in the time since. They can still be very upsetting to me but I derive a lot of creative energy and inspiration from them.

I try to log them as best I can, but sometimes I wake up paralyzed and literally can’t and thereby forget, or sometimes I just wake up and fall asleep agai right after and it becomes lost to me. Some of my dreams are also very abstract and almost impossible to convey in words. I do my best to log what is interesting here.

Dreams

Veilpiercing Observer Above The Twisting Asphalt

2016-2020?

I am living in a vast industrial city. A scant few people are gathered nearby and chatting beneath a vast maze of twisting overpasses and derelict skyways. There is a soft and constant thrumming of engines but I see no vehicles.

I listen to the conversations but only make out white noise. I realize I am dreaming. I allow myself to fly. I look at the highways above. They are devoid of vehicles but still emit sound.

I fly further up and see the city ceases to exist beyond the block I’ve already seen. There is a white void beyond.

Atop the highest bridge there is a figure in a grey suit looking away from me. I land near him and move to talk but cannot. He says, quiet, authoritative: “You aren’t supposed to be here.”

He knows I know. My blood runs cold. He does not turn around.

I woke up in a cold sweat, heart beating rapidly. My chest hurt most of the following day.

Verdigris Ruins of Inchoate Past

Summer 2021

I am in a desolate world of smog choked skies and gray-green rocky terrain. There is a lasting stillness. Ruins of industrial structures occasionally dot the landscape but most of it is made up of chaotic rock formations.

I meet few others in my wandering and we speak few words. I explore for what feels like days. I find ancient munitions stashed in a cave but take none.

I make my way to a vast ruined tower made of a wireframe of patinated copper — Like some strange transmission tower. I make the arduous climb and find at the top a great slab of untarnished brass. On it is engraved a message in an unrecognizable script. Somehow I understand that it invokes demons.

I look out into the distance and see a troupe of giant clockwork elephants made of patinated metal marching towards the tower. Their distant, hollow trumpeting fills me with dread.