Oneiromancy (from the , and ) is a form of divination based upon dreams, and also uses dreams to predict the future. Oneirogen plants may also be used to produce or enhance dream-like states of consciousness. Occasionally, the dreamer feels as if they are transported to another time or place, and this is offered as evidence they are in fact providing divine information upon their return. Biblical oneiromancy Dreams occur throughout the Bible as omens or messages from God; God speaks to Abram while he is in a deep sleep (Genesis 15); God speaks to Abimelech, the king of Gerar, concerning his intentions regarding Sarah, Abraham's wife (Genesis 20); Jacob dreams of a ladder to heaven (Genesis 28); his son Joseph dreamed of his future success (Genesis 37), interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh of Egypt's cupbearer and baker while imprisoned (Genesis 40) and interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh of Egypt (Genesis 41); Solomon conversed with God in his dreams (1 Kings 3); Daniel interpreted dreams (in the Book of Daniel 2 and 4); Joseph, when betrothed to Mary, was told not to fear taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1); the Magi are told in a dream to avoid Herod on their journey home (Matthew 2); Joseph, now husband of Mary, was directed to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2); Pilate's wife suffered in a dream because of Jesus (Matthew 27); Paul was told to go to Macedonia (Acts 16) In Acts 2:17, the apostle Peter quotes Joel 2:28, saying that because of the Spirit now out poured, "...your old men will dream dreams." Oneirocritic literature Oneirocritic literature is the traditional (ancient and medieval) literary format of dream interpretation. The ancient sources of oneirocritic literature are Kemetian (Aegyptian), Akkadian (Babylonian), and Hellenic (Greek). The medieval sources of oneirocritic literature are Āstika (Hindu), Persian, Arabic, and European. Ancient oneirocritic literature Mesopotamia The ancient Sumerians in Mesopotamia have left evidence of dream interpretation dating back to at least 3100 BC. Throughout Mesopotamian history, dreams were always held to be extremely important for divination and Mesopotamian kings paid close attention to them. Gudea, the king of the Sumerian city-state of Lagash (reigned 2144–2124 BC), rebuilt the temple of Ningirsu as the result of a dream in which he was told to do so. The standard Akkadian Epic of Gilgamesh contains numerous accounts of the prophetic power of dreams. First,