hi Mary, sorry to hear about your nightmares! I hate them with a passion!

First things first, make sure you're not too warm or getting wrapped up in your covers when you sleep, as that'll make any nightmare even worse! Try to reduce stress in your life - a tall order sometimes, I know! If there's any stressful event or anything happening to you right now, that could be your explanation right there!

Secondly, remember that dreams are your subconcious mind trying to get in touch. In this case, as the dreams concern your past, perhaps you've not quite dealt with these issues yet and your subconcious is trying to help you. To this end, perhaps trying to figure out why your subconcious is bringing these particular events back to haunt you - there's probably a lesson to be learned or remembered!

I'd suggest having a bottle of a comforting-smell essential oil - perhaps lavender - open on your bedside table. This prevents the fire hazard of burning it whilst you sleep, and you still get the benefits of the smell to reassure you. Perhaps washing your bedsheets in the same scent could help, too. A protection rite, or just shielding yourself or casting a Circle around your bed before you sleep may help reassure you that you're safe when you wake up. A prayer to the Goddess or God, or whomsoever you believe in, for guidance and protection could also help.

Good luck finding the purpose of your nightmares and dealing with them! Blessed be!