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In this paper the author suggests that in the early stages of many analyses some patients' dreams are predictive of the future course of the analysis. These dreams contain a condensed narrative about the transference relationship and encapsulate a narrative that will unfold as the analysis progresses. Moreover, there is a specific experience that is conveyed in the account of these dreams, that is felt by the analyst in the countertransference but only slowly undrestood as the analysis unfolds. The analytic task is to change the course anticipated by these dreams, and introduce a difference in the ' prediction '? these dreams make. Clinical examples are discussed.