Dream Questions

I receive various questions about dreams, and I notice recurring themes, so I thought it might help to begin answering some of them in this blog.

Hopefully you might find these helpful. If you do, please feel free to comment. I will try and answer as many questions as I can.

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April 4, 2009 at 6:44 pm

rita

i had a dream that i saw my ex he was planting flowers in my garden amougst other people, but i didnt want to go and say hi to him, which made him upset, then someone else forces me to say hi to him, so we shake hands but i try to pull away my hand from his he refuses and forces me hand to stay with him i was feeling uncofortable then, but later he takes me with him we are still hand in hand and we start plantng flowers in the garden

April 27, 2009 at 11:07 pm

The Dream Wizard

Is there something in your past you feel separate from? Maybe there is a part of yourself you have been neglecting or ignoring for some reason, which could be represented your ex. Also, how would you describe your ex in your dream? Perhaps try looking at how these words might be describing a part of yourself you don’t want to admit. If this were my dream, I would be excited that the “separate” part of me (the ex) is reaching out and trying to mend a relationship, this could indicate a personal healing, of different aspects to the personality being reconciled. This is especially encouraging when we see how together (hand in hand) the different aspects of yourself plant a garden together, perhaps symbolising powerful new growth going on inside you, and the potential for new creativity and ideas to grow.

April 27, 2009 at 11:10 pm

The Dream Wizard

To honour this dream, you could try planting some seeds, and as you do, make a silent dedication to the new, healed and more whole self you are growing into.
DW

April 9, 2009 at 4:03 am

Carla

Hi, I hope you’re still there. I had a dream that I can’t figure out… except that it might have to do with a lot of anxiety.

I am on my way to work and lose all my possessions on the bus. When I get out I see that day has become night, but everyone seems to be oblivious. gwen (my friend and co-worker) and i go out, i want to show her day being night. the campus is over run with tibetan monks singing and doing rituals. it begins to rain and a bunch of us try to take shelter under a slatted arbor. We get all wet. I begin to sing…I can almost remember the song. and others sing too, the monks are doing an elaborate dance that looks like fields of wheat waving in the wind. as they come nearer i see that they’re carrying beautiful wooden boxes of incredible food. gwen is watching something and has her back to them. the monks are causing the food and boxes to smoothly roll on the ground and i see that gwen is standing in the way so i go to warn her but one of the monks gestures not to. so she’s standing there and rivers of shrimp begin flowing around her feet. she’s angry at me for not warning her. then all the people gather round, realizing that the monks are going to share this food. because of where i’m standing i’m first in line but everyone else is served before me. i watch all these huge servings go by and then one of the monks hands me a dirty, sopping dumpling. I hold it in my hands, getting sauce all over myself. everyone leaves. i look in vain for more food or a container and then finally eat the dumpling, which tastes like a sponge.

Maybe I’m just reaching out… if you feel like this is too weird, don’t worry about it. Thank you and I love your site and your philosophy!

April 27, 2009 at 11:29 pm

The Dream Wizard

Hi there Carla! Sorry I have been gone so long, I have been working on some new dream materials and been very busy, keeping me away from this blog. And there is nothing wrong with reaching out – that’s why I am here on the web! Finally, there is no need to worry about being too weird – dreams usually seem weird because they are unfamiliar, like sea creatures deep in the ocean. But as we come to visit them more often, their strange beauty may be revealed to us.
To understand this particular dream better, I might start by asking what the overwhelming emotions were – were you disappointed, frustrated, accepting or something else? It might help to see where in your waking life you are having these feelings. Then you can identify some of the key symbols and characters to explore. You might choose: night-time; Gwen; monks; singing; food. You might want to add some others. It might help to make a list of what these symbols mean to you, how they make you feel. For example, singing may be a powerful symbol of self expression, of finding your voice, the monks may represent your spiritual side and food the personal nourishment you need. Then put these meanings back into the story of the dream. You may find you are excited to finding your own voice in some situation in waking life, but are not receiving the spiritual nourishment you seek (the monks did not feed you.)
Once you feel you understand this dream better, you might choose to honour by cooking yourself a wonderful meal, and dedicating it to your spiritual side, enjoying each mouthful and thinking to yourself that even as the food nourishes your body, so too does your conscious mind nourish your soul. This is just an example, depending on what your insight into your own dream means, see how you can bring it to life.
DW

April 28, 2009 at 5:27 pm

Carla

Thank you so much! I almost cried because of how kind your reply was. I was also interested to have a positive (compared to my usual) interpretation. While it’s true that I felt a lot of anxiety in the dream–there were many other bits that I left out–to look at it in a positive light lifted something for me. I think the biggest part of it that I can’t find any reference to was that day was night, like a very long lasting eclipse, and the moon was on the earth. Oh, I guess I left that part out before. I have very vivid, complex dreams several times a week and am grateful for resources like your site to help me explore my often hidden inner landscape.

April 23, 2009 at 2:16 pm

mel

Hi last night i had a very passionate dream about my first love. Today he mentioned that he had a very passionate dream about me last night and i hadnt yet told him of my dream. We have not been together as a couple for 10 years however we remain very close friends. we both realise that we are reserved when in other relationships as we are in some way held back by what we had. We are a little “spun” out about this dream as we both have “significant” others and we liver worlds apart. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

April 27, 2009 at 11:41 pm

The Dream Wizard

Ah, the passionate first love dream! The power of a first love never entirely leaves us, but that does not mean we remain forever in love with that first person either. First loves start teaching us how to love, and depending how it ends, can impact how we view relationships for many years to come. You mention that you are both reserved in your relationship since, but somewhere inside you, you remember what it is like to love wholly, completely, unreservedly. Maybe now the time has come to actually move on from that first love, to let it go and give your new loves a chance. Your subconscious may be reminding you that you do know how to be in love, despite holding back your emotions for many years. All our hearts want to experience full love. I suspect the fear of losing love, like the first love was lost is preventing you from loving fully. And your ex could be having the same experience, as deep down, you know you have unfinished business with each other. This unfinished business could be to bring closure to a lingering connection, to free each other, forgive each deeply, and let each other move on to love again. You could honour this dream by lighting a pure white candle for your ex love, then use the flame to light a new, red or pink candle, representing your new love. Blow the white candle out, giving silent thanks for the gifts and knowledge it gave you, and let the red or pink candle burn, bringing new love and light into your life.

April 28, 2009 at 8:51 pm

The Dream Wizard

Hi Carla! Thanks so much for your positive feedback, it is wonderful to hear how I can be helpful! And I do encourage you to keep exploring those “hidden inner landscapes.” I really believe that self knowledge through conscious reflection, dream work and real life actions combined can powerfully change and improve our quality of existence, both on a personal individual level, but also for our extended relationships, and ultimately all humanity. And once we realise that all dreams arise form our own hopes, fears and unexpressed feelings, we realise there is no real “negative” dream, just difficult or challenging ones. And within us we always have the potential for the solution, the clarification or the right way forward. But enough philosophy! So to your specific theme of night and day, I would think this may be a way of exploring polar opposites in your life. Is there somewhere in your life where things are exactly the opposite of what you think they should be? Are you behaving the opposite of what you feel, or following a path that is taking you in the opposite direction of where you want to go? Another interpretation may be around the theme of what should be light is now dark, maybe something you want to see is hidden in darkness. Or maybe the things we could associate with daylight, such as cheeriness, brightness, optimism etc have been “eclipsed” by “darker” feelings through a period of sadness, grief, loss or misdirection. This may arise from the feelings of anxiousness you described. Have a look at my post on low level anxiety, it may help. http://thedreamwell.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/remembering-dreams-address-low-level-anxiety/
The really wonderful thing about this dream in particular, is that your dream offers a way to explore the issues (darkness when it should be light, seeking shelter but still getting wet, unable to communicate but trying hard to), but it goes the extra step and help gives insights as to how address these issues, through means such as singing, finding nourishment etc. This is still a simplified answer, I am sure if you explore the other symbols (campus, arbor, rain, shrimps etc.) you will discover many layers of meaning and guidance. Dream Well!

May 1, 2009 at 6:06 pm

wade

i had a dream that a co-worker & i were traveling home from a foreign trade show. on the way to the airport, we came across a ladder & climbed it 2 stories high. at the top of the balcony was a baby & it threw itself off of the terrace when i reached the top. we brought the baby back onto the terrace & he started talking to us (seemingly fine) except for a gash on his forehead. we ran away as we heard someone entering the apartment…

May 3, 2009 at 8:13 pm

The Dream Wizard

Hi Wade! I find it interesting that you dream of climbing a ladder and finding a baby. A baby may symbolise a new project, a new job, or some form of new creation we are focussing on. A ladder may indicate our ambitions or goals, or a general sense of “moving up” in the world – either in work, or someone’s perception of us, our social standing etc. So to look at the two symbols together, I would consider, is there a new project you are about to embark upon that may improve your career or social standing? You climbed 2 storeys in the dream. Do you have plans to begin such a project in 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, or will you finished something at that time? The baby throwing itself off the balcony might imply fears this project is destined to fail, or has intrinsic flaws. The dream provides a really positive message though, that despite your fears, the baby (or project) will be actually ok. The gash in the forehead might relate to a a change in thinking that is required (the forehead may relate to thoughts, especially those that are at the “forefront” of your mind.) Running away in dreams often means we aren’t ready to face up to something, so this dream might be trying to gently urge you face your fears about this new venture in your life. A baby in a dream can also represent our inner child. You might want to honour this dream, and learn more about its meaning by taking on the role of the baby in the dream, and from this point of view, write a letter to you in the here and now. You could try putting yourself in the role of this baby, and see what advice it has to give you. The baby in your dream is an inner part of yourself trying to communicate with you on the conscious level. You don’t have to be asleep to hear this message.
Dream Well Wade!

September 30, 2009 at 12:33 am

Lola

I had a dream where I’m an animal, I don’t know what kind of animal seems like a wolf but i can see my self is the way i feel I’m ready to atack and I’m furious One night I was looking to my husband like if I will bite him and he said thta my eyes where open and I was making noises like a really mean animal and he wake me up and I strat to cry, I don’t remember the drem is more like a feeling my heart is working so hard and I’m breathing so fats it’s horrible. please help me.

October 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Author

Hi Lola,
I am sorry you having such terrible dream experiences! When we have strange experiences we don’t understand, they can be very confusing and upsetting. The first thing to remember is that these kind of experiences are entirely normal, so don’t worry that this is something to be afraid of. As you are dreaming about wild animals, this often reflects our own wild, or untamed nature. This side of ourself can come out at different times, sometime when we feel free, or when we are at one with nature, but other times, when we feel threatened or cornered in some way. When we feel under attack from someone or something in our life, we draw upon strengths that we may often keep covered or hidden in civilised life. Is there something threatening you, or someone you love? Is there something in your life you are afraid will be taken from you, and you ned to protect? Wild animal dreams do not have to be a bad thing. To remember that we have these deep strengths inside us when need them can be a surprising, but encouraging discovery. To honour these dreams in waking life, you could identify and address the source of anxiety, and you could also learn more about whatever animal it is you think is resonating with you, and try to see what positive traits they have as well as the scary ones. Native American Indian folklore might be a good place to start. This “wolf” may turn out in fact to be a great helper, who will guide you through perilous periods of your life if you can learn to befriend it. Dream Well Lola!

October 7, 2009 at 8:32 am

Shweta

Hi. I love your site!! It’s so interesting, I have this dream, and i was hoping you could shed some light. It’s probably really stupid, I understand why I did have it, but I keep having it. soo…here it goes.

I’m about to leave this person I view as a mentor and will never see again. I search the entire school over and over for him. The school has this sterile, white, hospital feel to it. I begin to feel panicked because i’m so scared I won’t be able to say goodbye. I finally see him through the schools gates and on the other side he’s stepping into his car, he nods to me and says, “It will get better, Kid.”

I had this dream about 3 times before I actually did graduate and leave the school. Each time I had this dream I always found him and hugged/talked to him. I know I had it because he meant so much to me and was someone I could trust.

But It’s been 6 months since I left. And I have this same dream reoccuring.

In real life I did get to say goodbye to him. So why do I keep having this dream?

-Thanks for any help!

October 15, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Author

Hi Shweta, and thanks so much for sharing your dream experience! What an interesting experience for you! So, its been 6 months since you left school, but this dream keeps recurring, right? Recurring dreams often happen because there is an important lesson for us to learn, and they will keep coming until we understand them. You have just finished a significant period of learning already as you have finished school, so what is this extra lesson the dream wants you to learn? Well, chances are, it has very little to do with schooling, and more o do with what’s going on inside you. Sometimes it can take a while for us to realise how much we have changed and grown when one important part of our life ends and a new one begins. It is worth taking the time to sit and reflect a bit – ask yourself, “who am I now? how has this period of my life changed me? what does this mean for my future? who do I want to be?”
You have (at least) two strong symbols in your dream – the mentor, and the embrace/hug with advice. Instead of looking at this mentor as an external person, maybe it is time for you to recognise that now you have finished this phase of learning, you are no longer the student, and must accept the responsibility of becoming if not an actual mentor, then certainly an “adept” of your chose field of knowledge. Your wise inner mentor is simply a part of you, as you hug, this may be a signal your inner self wants o embrace this new wise part of you. You may feel insecure and unsure of what you have learned, but this very positive dream seems to be encouraging you to accept your new role, and step onto the new path the learning period has revealed for you. You have been given encouragement “it will get better.” Be confident, and go follow your dreams Shweta! Dream Well!

October 17, 2009 at 10:38 pm

Shweta

Thanks so much, much of what you said is helpful, this site is truely the most informative dream wise, I’ve always googled for symbols in dreams; anything and everything you’d need on dreams is here though!!

October 17, 2009 at 6:33 pm

nisha

i had a dream that i’m in the kitchen at my old flat where on the worktop i see a decaputated finger, arm and i know it’s wired but a penis then i open the fridge and see 4-5 sandwich pack brought from the shops and 3-4 also box of roses. then i go in my bedroom where my partner was sleeping i pull the cover of him then see more i don’t know if it is raw meat or more bodyparts. i then phone my partners brother he says don’t worry about it
i would be very greatful if you could interpret my dream. thank you

October 19, 2009 at 8:11 pm

Author

Hi Nisha! Thanks so much for sharing your dream here! As you will realise from my posts here, I don’ believe I can interpret your dreams for you, as only you know all the situations going on in your life, and I know almost nothing about you at all! Saying that, I would recommend you check out my posts on the different body parts (arms, hands etc.) as well as decapitation, flowers, food and ice (related to the fridge). To help you start putting all these things together though, I would ask you about your relationship with your partner, and possibly even previous partners, as well as your sense of being comfortable in your own body. Losing a part of the body as well as the “raw meat” symbol of your partner might indicate you don’t feel very comfortable with some part of the physical relationship you are in. Combine that with the flowers (maybe a symbol of beauty, love, growth etc) and sandwiches (maybe a symbol of nourishment) being in the fridge, and it seems to indicate that maybe these aspects of your self are in some way stored away in a cold place inside you. I would ask you, how can you bring warmth and affection into your life? Are you holding something back for fear of being hurt? Or are you being hurt already and not receiving the love and affection you really want? I might suggest honouring this dream by taking some ice from the freezer, defrosting it and letting the water warm to room temperature. Once it is no longer cold, go outside and find some flowers. Pour the water onto them, and as you do, focus on the warmth and love inside you, let it flow onto the plants and remind yourself of the love and affection you deserve. Alternatively, take some frozen food from your freezer, defrost it and make a sandwich. As you eat the sandwich, remind yourself that you can nourish and care for yourself deep down, and that you deserve this love. You can build on these feelings by caring for something or someone else, maybe try gardening, looking after animals or some voluntary work. This may help you get in touch with the love inside you. I hope this helps! Dream Well, Nisha

October 27, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Victoria

Love This Site!! Just found it today while researching my dream from last night… Another staircase dream… This one a bit more confusing, yet, your site helped shed some light on the topic. As well as dreams I have about rooms appearing from nowhere in houses I walk through.
Question=
I used to have vivid dreams about colored shapes chasing me….
these were when I was very young.
I found the mention of color and how it relates, and chase, yet, shapes? Any thoughts on that issue?
They were always geometric shapes and always terrifying….
Thanks in Advance!!

October 30, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Author

Hi Victoria, and glad you like the site! We can consider what your childhood dreams may have meant to you, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the way we think as children, especially when very young, is quite different to how we perceive things as adults. Our capability to be logical, analytical and to understand cause and effect, our ability to differentiate between real and imagined, and our sense of self are all greatly underdeveloped at this stage. So with this in mind, instead of thinking what it might mean if we dreamed of scary shapes as adult, try to remember what your thoughts and feelings were as a child, and how confusing (and scary!) the world could sometimes be. It seems to me shapes might be a child’s way of trying to come to terms with order in the outside world, a childish way to try and grasp some external concept that might be a little to difficult at this age. Shapes, numbers, words and colours are some of the first things we learn about, so this could represent some of the most early learnings of your subconscious, the groundwork of symbols that you could use in later life to resolve meaning from the world. Maybe you could keep an eye on your mature dreams, and see if any of these shapes re-appear, or even how the colours reappear though the shapes have changed? What links do you see? Dream Well Victoria!

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