Save the Date
MS Jung Society's
Winter Conference
February 27-28, 2026
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Jackson, MS
The Little People
of the Night:
Jungian Perspectives on Dreaming
presented by
Lourdes Hernandez, MA, Jungian Analyst
Have you ever woken from a dream that stayed with you—lingering like a half-remembered song, tugging at something deep within? Dreams have long been whispers from the hidden chambers of the soul, inviting us to listen to what cannot be heard amid the noise of daily life.
Dreams speak to us through what Jung called complexes—emotionally charged patterns within us that carry memory, feeling, and unfinished story. While the ego sleeps, these inner figures stir to life, becoming the characters who populate our dreams.
In this conference, our presenter, Lourdes Hernandez, a Jungian analyst, invites you into the mysterious world of dreaming through the wisdom of Carl Jung, who understood dreams not as puzzles to be solved, but as living encounters with the depths of who we are.
Together, we will explore the strange and familiar figures who visit us while we sleep—what Jung tenderly called the “little people” who disturb our nights. These dream visitors are not mere shadows or symbols; they are alive with their own intelligence, carrying messages from parts of ourselves that long to be recognized, welcomed, and integrated.
We will also consider how Jung’s understanding of dreams diverged from Freud’s. Rather than disguises masking forbidden wishes, Jung saw dreams as honest voices speaking in the soul’s native language. Yet, dreams do not speak casually. They ask something of us—a readiness, a humility, and a willingness to be changed by what we encounter. Jung cautioned that meeting the depths of the psyche requires reverence, patience, and care.
When waking life grows too narrow or one-sided, dreams arise to restore balance, offering what has been forgotten, neglected, or pushed aside. In this way, dreams serve the psyche’s self-regulating function—remembering what has been lost and gently guiding us back toward ourselves.
Throughout our time together, we will reflect on how dreams participate in the soul’s deep work: its longing to integrate what has been scattered, to heal what has been fractured, and to move toward a more complete and authentic life. Through reflection, dialogue, and shared wonder, participants will be invited to meet their dreams not as problems to solve, but as sacred companions on the path toward wholeness.
Join us for The Little People of the Night and take part in a thoughtful, experiential exploration of dreams as companions on the path toward a more authentic life.
More about our Presenter
Lourdes Hernandez, MA, was marked by the traumas of war and political asylum when her family fled Cuba to take refuge in the United States. She holds post graduate degrees from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Regis University, Hermeneutics and Counseling. After a period of study in Zurich, Lourdes returned stateside to complete her analytic training with IRSJA and has a bilingual practice in Boulder Colorado. Lourdes is a lifelong musician and visual artist.