Interesting words
SUBLUNARY
A. adj.
1. Existing or situated beneath the moon; lying between the orbit of the moon and the earth; hence, subject to the moon’s influence.
b. Inferior, subordinate (to). Obs.
2. Of or belonging to this world; earthly, terrestrial.
3. Characteristic of this world and its affairs; mundane; material, gross; temporal, ephemeral.
B. n. A sublunary thing or creature; chiefly pl. Obs.
ONEIROCRACY
obs., N.
Quotations:
1653 R. SAUNDERS Physiognomie II. 202 This Chapter of Oneirocracie, that is to say, the judgment of dreams.
1653 R. SAUNDERS Physiognomie II. 214 Oneirocracie is the prudence of presaging future contingencies by dreams, for the welfare of man.
It is tempting to find a new interpretation for this obsolete word. What about oneirocracy, “government by dreams”? Daydreams and nightmares in a metaphorical sense are manipulative devices. Skilled orators and persistent imagery in media certainly influence our worldview enough to disturb our sleep. How is a citizen supposed to make independent, informed and rational choices, when s/he is barraged by disturbing visions of threat, and promises of delight? Especially the power of nightmares should not be underestimated. We already know how mortal fear influences the voters. But when do we encounter mortal fear in our protective societies? When we are most defenseless - in our dreams.
EDIT: Stanislaw Jerzy Lec has, not surprisingly, a suitable aphorism: “Do not tell your dreams! The Freudians might take power!”
EDIT II: I think that the best defense against manipulation of our dreams is critical thinking, especially self-critical thinking. Our dreams, whether unconscious or controlled, are always influenced by our impressions of the outside world, but we can always try to get to know them, play with them, and perhaps even control them, though not always.