She tells of a study done in the 1930's where, based on women's descriptions of their dreams, researchers could predict what phase of their monthly cycles the women were in. Pap smears then corroborated the accuracy of the prediction. Before ovulation, women dream of change and action in the outside world. During menstruation, inwardly directed dreams are always of home and hearth-nesting. Although there's something innately satisfying about making a symbolic connection between your dream and your waking life, that's just a small aspect of the bigger opportunity for growth and problem solving that your dream life can offer you.
Dreams are a common ground between the two, speaking through a language of symbols and stories.
Your waking actions and concerns give input into the nature of your dreams. You might symbolically express financial worries in a dream about being chased by a ferocious animal. Or you might face your financial concerns in a dream where you survive financial ruin and live happily as a pauper. While trying to purge a negative aspect from your life, your dreams may be dominated by images of excrement. The hormone buildup during a period of sexual frustration may bring on juicy sex dreams.