"I dreamt that I was flying with a bird next to me" - Flying is often attributed to liberation and growth. Animals in dreams are often projections of the primitive/instinctive parts of your personality. What do birds symbolize to you? What type of bird was this (was it a scavenger? A songbird? A bird of prey?) This part of yorself is being shown as a stregth here - as the key to your growth and liberation.

The "aging country".... locations are typically a representation of the dreamer's mindset. If all characters are projections of the dreamer's personality, the location is where these parts come together to interact and function in the waking world. And this one is older than it should be. Question :: How old are you (in real life, not in the dream).

The aging country could be a way of expressing that you're feeling like you have to act older than your age...or that you're being forced to grow up too soon. ((This is common in children who end up in a traumatic home and have to raise their siblings, for example)). The presidential palace is immediately shown to be the oppressor. You warn the bird about going in.... Actually, let's stop right here for a moment and address this.

Often, the anima/animus is the one offering direction or warning, but here the roles are reversed. This means that there is a -wanting- to be liberated and freed, but your central Self understands that there is a threat that must be avoided. It's like teaching a child that while they might be able to go across the street to play, they still have to look both ways before they cross the street. But the bird doesn't come with you in the end. I'm reminded of the phrase "a bird's eye view". This may well be a point of perspective. You're beginning the dream with a wider scope, seeing that there is this problem and the answer lies within the palace. Then you see that you are being allowed in. (Ironically, it's your own subconscious that would be keeping you out...but I digress)

The dream progresses, and slowly you ease toward the source of the problem. You enter the palace and...confusion??? So you've lost the bigger picture and don't know where to go or why... Well, this sounds like facing decisions in the waking world. When you can't see the overall effect of your decisions, it's difficult to know whether you're making the right choice. There's a woman giving you instructions psychically. That's all but the dictionary definition of intuition! I'd say don't fear it - I mean, look in the dream. You followed the instructions, and found a major source of the oppression! It's like this was what you were meant to see, right?

Now for the big issue -

There are two things to note here. First : they were wearing what would effectively be costumes. Costumes and masks are both symbolic of being fake, or inauthentic. Here these parts of you, which as children are the representation of parts of yourself that haven't had the chance to fully develop beyond the innocent/naive worldview. Remember that each of these children is some potential part of your collective self. And -You saved them!- ^_^

The abuse... well, as I am to say : "sex is never 'sex' in dreams. It's communication, and the symbol of relating to others. It's intimate, and it's deep - more than just a superficial knowing yourself/another. Here, the being forced to be someone inauthentic is damaging your ability to relate to others...to connect to others.

--> In what ways are you having to be someone other than yourself? How is this effecting you? <--

In the dream, you've addressed this, and you've directed the children to escape, which they do. You have to fight off a guard - which may reflect that the source of oppression isn't gone in your life, and you may still have to fight it. But in the dream you take the gun from the guard - removing the power from your oppressor.

--> Regarding your answer to the previous question - in what ways can you reclaim power over who you are? <--

Despite the recurring theme of oppression and abuse, don't misunderstand the dreams. They hold a distinctly positive and empowering message. Embrace that!

A couple notes, since the anima made an appearance -

**First, the anima/animus is often connected to the opposite gender traits within one's self. (If you're female, the animal represents your own more masculine traits). This being said, consider what of those traits in you can give you strength.

**Second, typically when the anima/animus appears it's not a one-time event. If you neglect this issue, the image will return...often in some way that makes it much more difficult to control (I once had a horse in one dream return as a swarm of locusts in the next, because I had neglected the problem).