Hey!
Ok, wow, so like I said, that gave me a lot of a-ha moments. When I was reading your interpretation about the kitten/elephant, I had a realization, too: my fiance (hard to pick a word there - we usually call each other "my husband/wife" in conversation since we've been together for a long time, but it's not technically true as we've put off marriage for financial reasons) and I used to playfully refer to each other all the time as "my very special kitten" - ha. It's from a really cute and funny song (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F32wajv-uUw ).
Once I had that thought I was reading your interpretation as applying to the relationship issues, and while I'm not sure I could rationally explain every detail, what you said really struck me intuitively, and I feel like it's all bubbling there in my intuitive brain, if that makes any sense. It's interesting, too, that you mentioned self pity, because I have a strong belief that I should not feel sorry for myself/do not deserve any pity or self pity, and I've noticed it creeping in recently (and tried to squash it, for lack of better words). When I read "powerful insecurities," it felt right on.
I think the powerful insecurities and their effects come into play in the second dream as well. I've had a few experiences that had a really negative effect on me. I've also had a lot of guilt about my own actions which were (indirectly) related to those events (not to excuse myself). I should have mentioned this to you with the background info, because even though all of those things are years and years into the past now, I think about my regrets every day, and the bad experiences come with them, and even the negative effects of the initial events - insecurities, fears, distrust, etc - still seem to be lurking around. I often have dreams or nightmares about whales and sea monsters which I believe relate to this. Anyway, like you said, I felt that the second dream was about different aspects of myself. It seemed like the sister who was leaving was basically divorcing herself from the other sister. But it was eerie, because in that final scene, I'm not sure if I was still watching the whole thing play out between the two of them, or if I was the raped sister. I know that I couldn't see the raped sister anymore, and I know that when the leaving sister looked up, she was looking at me, so, I don't know, but it's eerie to think about. The scene itself was also very beautiful, at the same time that it was horrific, because, if you imagine, this young woman in very traditional dress - the flowing kimono fabric - with long black hair, the powdered face and even the red of the tears, all set against the deep snow. That image is burned onto my brain. ..To me, it was as if one part of myself knows that the damaged part is toxic - has been responsible for bad things, is popping out in the form of insecurities, fears, feelings of worthlessness, powerlessness, depression, and self centeredness now that my relationship is in a precarious place and is worsening everything - and is making a move to leave, but then, I'm in the damaged part, so.. (?)
That was my take, but I'm not familiar with the image/symbolism of crying blood except for those religious statues..
Alright, I know this is so long. Thank you so much!! Your message is so helpful. And I feel like I finally have a grasp on the symbolic significance of cats in dreams - ha. : ) People ask me to interpret their dreams sometimes but I could never make anything out of cat dreams. That was really interesting - thanks again!!