Meaning: Arthur Machen, a Welsh author and mystic, is known for his exploration of the supernatural and the mysterious in his writings. The quote you provided delves into the transformation of the practice of divination by dreams from a mere amusement to a serious science. Machen's statement reflects the shifting attitudes towards the mystical and the paranormal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

During Machen's time, there was a growing interest in spiritualism, the occult, and the exploration of the subconscious mind. This fascination with the unseen and the unknown was influenced by various factors, including advancements in psychology, the spread of Eastern spiritual philosophies, and the disillusionment with traditional religious institutions.

The idea of divination by dreams has been a part of human culture for millennia, with ancient civilizations placing significant importance on the interpretation of dreams as messages from the divine or the subconscious. However, as Machen suggests, the perception of dream divination evolved from being dismissed as a frivolous pastime to being studied as a legitimate field of inquiry.

Machen's assertion about the seriousness of dream divination aligns with the broader cultural and intellectual shifts of his time. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a surge in interest in psychic phenomena and the exploration of the human mind, as evidenced by the establishment of organizations dedicated to paranormal research and the popularization of spiritualist practices.

One of the key figures in this era was Sigmund Freud, whose groundbreaking work in psychoanalysis shed light on the significance of dreams as a window into the unconscious. Freud's theories, along with those of other psychologists and philosophers, contributed to the reevaluation of dreams as meaningful and potentially revelatory experiences.

Moreover, the emergence of the field of parapsychology, which sought to apply scientific methods to the study of paranormal phenomena, further propelled the serious consideration of dream divination. Researchers and scholars began to investigate the potential connections between dreams, the subconscious, and precognition, leading to the development of experimental approaches to dream analysis.

In the context of Machen's quote, it is important to consider the interplay between scientific inquiry and mystical belief. The transition of dream divination from a "silly business" to a "serious science" reflects a broader tension between traditional skepticism and the burgeoning interest in exploring the unknown through empirical investigation.

Machen's own literary works often delved into themes of the supernatural and the blurred boundaries between reality and the unseen. His writings, infused with a sense of mysticism and the inexplicable, mirrored the zeitgeist of his era and contributed to the popularization of the occult in literature.

In conclusion, Arthur Machen's quote encapsulates the evolving attitudes towards dream divination during a time of profound cultural and intellectual transformation. The shift from regarding divination by dreams as a frivolous pursuit to a subject of serious inquiry reflects the complex interplay between scientific progress, psychological exploration, and the enduring allure of the mystical and the unknown. Machen's words serve as a testament to the enduring human fascination with the enigmatic realm of dreams and the enduring quest to unravel their mysteries.