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 Your Dreams
Are you convinced your dreams are trying to tell you something? If you think there's a message hidden in your dreams then Charmaine may be able to help you interpret it. She provides dream analysis for a number of newspapers and magazines and is now helping Aphrodite's readers understand their dreams. You can email Charmaine for help and read her weekly interpretations here. More recent dream interpretations are available here.
Squashed-Face Dwarf
12 December, 2007
Q. I have this recurring dream and I have always wondered what it meant. I am in a toy factory and there is a squashed-faced dwarf who is pushing me around the factory on a child's wooden brick trolley. Suddenly the dream always changes and I am outside my old house trying to get in but no one can hear me and the man is running after me then I wake up. Please help!
A. This whole dream is a childhood fantasy. All the images are to do with being a child and experiencing childlike things - toys, dwarves, past home - fairy tale occurrences. Do you have children yourself? This almost sounds like a film you've seen or book you've read. When we dream of the past or childhood, it usually means that you have either some unresolved issues or some nostalgia. Any reason for thinking back over the past recently? There seems to be a sense of longing for the security of home and family. If the dream is recurring, there must be some emotion behind it. When you figure out what it is, the dream will stop.
Joining A Loved One
5 December, 2007
Q. My partner was taken from me in a tragic accident last April. I tried to take my life as I was overwhelmed with grief/loss etc. Last night I had a dream that it was Xmas time & Mikes’ family was there as well as my Dad (he passed away late August with cancer) – Dad answered the phone & it was Mike. I can’t recall what was said. Next thing we are in some sort of earthquake/avalanche – I can’t swim but I managed to get to safety – then my Mike & I are walking together – him with his arm around me (which is what he always used to do). I am not over my suicidal thoughts though and I am not coping with his departure at all – people have said that if I did go through with it, Mike would not be happy with me at all – however, I would read this dream (specially as Dad was there as well) that I might actually go up and join them both. Your interpretation of this would be greatly appreciated
A. No, your idea is not right. This dream isn't about death even though it involves two of your dead loved ones. It's actually about life, and hope and moving on. Your suicidal thoughts are understandable. You're not expected to cope. You are dealing with a terrible loss which will take a long time to get over. But your dream is clearly encouraging you to embrace your future. Christmas is always a positive omen in dreams and phones are often used as a symbol to communicate messages. In this case, it serves as a conduit between the physical world and the one after death. Some people believe that loved ones join up in the afterlife and if so, then that's what your Dad and partner are doing. Together they're telling you love never dies and without forgetting them, move forward. The earthquake is a symbol for a shake-up - literally. When you walk with Mike, he's saying goodbye which he never got a chance to say because he died suddenly. This is a beautiful and inspirational dream. Thank them and be happy.
Why Him?
28 November, 2007
Q. I have been struggling with this for years now and I am finally at the point where I don't think it is just going to go away, so I have decided to try to figure out what it all means! I don't have a recurring dream where the dream is practically the same each time, but I keep having dreams about the same person. The weird thing is, I have not spoken to him in about 8 years and I don't really ever think about him anymore! I just wonder why I keep having these vivid dreams. He was my first true love. We met in the 8th grade and dated steadily until we were juniors in high school. We spent our senior year avoiding each other in the halls. Eventually, after graduation, we sort of became friends again, but I moved away and he joined the military. Haven't spoken to him since I was 18 or 19 (I am 26 now). The dreams I have always start off very pleasant, with us just hanging out or being close to each other. Then something always happens where I can't find him, or he goes off with other people and doesn't tell me, or just is gone for no particular reason. I am always very upset by the time I figure out he is gone. These dreams seem to go on and on. When I finally do wake up, they are the type of dreams that bother me for a couple of days. I won't usually dream about him again for a few months, but without fail, they always come back when I least suspect it! Like I said, in my consciousness, I don't really ever think about him. It is only in my subconscious, I suppose because I have these dreams regularly! Help! It's driving me crazy! I wish I could find out where he is so I could actually say hello to him and maybe what I need is closure, but, I should hope I would be over him by now! (I thought I was).
A. When we keep dreaming the same things, it's always good to investigate the possible meaning. It's still a recurring dream whether it's identical or just about the same person or things. Generally they won't stop till you get the point! The two main possibilities with your dream are - you never really got over this guy and all these years, you've just pushed it aside and moved on, or for whatever reason, this guy is thinking about you. One way or another, it would be a good thing if you could say goodbye properly. Can you get in touch with him even if it is 8 years later? You could tell him about your dreams and just say you wanted to check up on him, resolve any outstanding issues. If this is put of the question, then do it for yourself. Write him a letter saying what you would in person then relegate it to the past. The dream should then stop.
Fire And Tragedy
21 November, 2007
Q. I've had a couple of different weird kind of dreams. Dream 1: An electrical wire in front of my childhood home was on fire. I was with my family now and my family from when I was younger and it was raining fire. Nobody got injured, it kept missing us, then the fireman got lost and said that they could not find the house, The next dream was about the house that I live in now - it caught fire but again nobody got hurt and this time they could not locate the fire. Another dream recently was about a truck crashing into my neighbor's house but everything was done deliberately. I really do not know what any of this is trying to tell me but I seem to wake up immediately after the dream, check on the kids and my house and than go back to sleep. Are these dreams telling me something or are they just dreams?
A. Some dreams are just bits of nonsense but many have deep and important messages for us. When you have a series of dreams on a similar theme, there's almost definitely a relevant meaning. Have you ever actually been in a fire? If not, then think of what fire and electricity represents? A spark, something igniting, action? Possibly these dreams are telling you that your life needs some excitement. My other suggestion is that perhaps you worry too much. These are essentially anxiety dreams which means that your concerns are surfacing at night while you sleep. You seem to fear tragedy or danger befalling your family which is very understandable but worry never helped anyone. Relax and trust - or you'll continue to have disturbing dreams.
Threesome
14 November, 2007
Q. I don't understand why I am having this dream as things are so incredible with my boyfriend right now. In the dream, one of my close friends, my boyfriend and I were in bed watching a movie, I go to take a shower and realize I forgot something, I come out in my bottoms and see them having sex. My boyfriend says he is sorry but then tells me to join in. He says that is what happens when you have women in the bed. I was a mess and they kept going. Then I ran into my boyfriend's friend who informed me that my boyfriend has been messing around the whole time. I asked him, "So I have been one of those morons I always talk about." He said, "Sorry, Hun, but your boyfriend is worse than I am." I decided to start fresh. I kept telling myself to never be dependent on anyone.
A. I doubt if you're being alerted to any real problems with your guy's fidelity. Do you have any reason to doubt him? Are you the jealous, insecure type? Worries tend to rise up in dreams so whether you're consciously aware or not of these feelings, they must exist. Some dreams are made up of nonsense, fragments of daily life, but not usually the emotional ones. You woke feeling upset yet no one really hurt you. You just don't seem very sure of yourself. I'm also concerned that you might be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy by your lack of trust and suspicions. Rather than dwelling on this dream, follow your heart in waking life. What's it telling you about your relationship? Are you safe? If you feel you are, then work on your self-confidence instead and let go of your fears. You say at the start of your letter that your relationship is amazing so doesn't that ease your mind?
Presence In The House
7 November, 2007
Q. My boyfriend and I just moved into a place together. We've been there about 2.5 weeks now. We both have dreams that someone is in our house. It is always a male that is in our house trying to hide. What could this mean?
A. How very interesting. There are various possible interpretations but for me, the most likely is that you have a spirit in your house. It's nothing to be afraid of. Spirits abide in homes all the time, especially older ones. As you've been there such a short time and have both had the same dream, I really think the spirit is just letting you know he's around. If you show no fear and just accept his presence, I doubt if you'll have the dream anymore. If the dreams do keep coming, double-check your security system as they could be a warning that someone is lurking around in reality and not just in spirit form.
Holding Hands
31 October, 2007
Q. I am 15. I was just wondering what it means to have a dream about holding hands with someone. The dream was, me and a FRIEND were walking up stairs and he suddenly grabbed my hand, and held it for a while, then he said "I'll let go when we get to the top." He was playing and caressing my fingers. Then he ran into something and I let go. When we got to the top, we sat down and leaned on each other. Then I heard my own father's voice, but I couldn't hear what he said. The scenery looked like an old ship with spider webs and things like that. Then I woke up. I would appreciate it if you could tell me what this might mean? Thank you.
A. Holding hands in general means connection, joining in together with someone, perhaps sharing beliefs or feelings or a goal. In your dream, the friend could be helping you in some way or maybe he has love feelings for you that you're not aware of. Climbing upwards suggests a struggle of some time, especially as he says he won't let go till you get to the top, like he's helping you. Then at the top, you lean on each other - another symbol of support. Your father speaking to you could mean anything, depending on what was said but you don't recall the details. I can't explain the old setting. Perhaps you had just seen a film that depicted a scene like that. All in all, this dream is saying this friend is someone you can trust. Have you actually worked on a dual project with him? Maybe that's coming in the future or he'll be important to you for some other reason.
Shedding My Skin
24 October, 2007
Q. I came across your column and something urged me to reach out and tell you my dream. I had a really weird dream almost two weeks ago that's still with me today. In my dream I saw my skin coming off. In large, fat chunks. The dead skin that was coming off was around my waist and around my neck. I could see my new body behind the old skin. I know I was seeing a doctor for this condition in my dream because I wasn't paranoid about the problem. I was "waiting" for skin to come off. The skin from my stomach came off and I was okay, but the skin from my neck wasn't ready. My boyfriend knew it bothered me so he offered to help pull it off. On the base of my neck was a scar healing and I had to put cream on it. I remember walking around in the city fully covered so no one could see my scars and I was on the subway when I saw a friend from elementary school as an adult (I'm almost 30). I remember falling out of the subway train door and my childhood friend didn't even help me up, he just looked at me and went back to reading his newspaper. I remember panicking when I woke up but I was relieved at the same time. I can't get the dream out of my head, although the feelings have lessened. I keep seeing the "shedding skin". Could you help decipher this a bit? I know I am going through some much needed life transitions but the "ugliness" of my skin ailment was freaky.
A. This dream might have disturbed you, probably because of its graphic nature but actually it's very clear and positive. When we go through major changes in life, we call it "shedding skin," don't we? Well, that's exactly what your dream was showing you. You've confirmed this yourself by saying you're going through a transitional period. Thinking about the two parts of your body, the stomach is an emotional centre, the neck more mental. So that tells me you're emotionally ready for the changes you're going through but not yet mentally prepared. You're feeling the need to hide then being snubbed by an old friend indicates that you are not entirely comfortable with the new you. Work on all this and you won't have your shedding dream again.
Spider Dreams
17 October, 2007
Q. I was with my Mum and she was quite ill (she died almost a year ago). She was wearing a wig and I kept seeing it moving. My sister came in and took it off and there were loads of little spiders or some kind of insects all over her head. Mum said they weren’t bothering her and insisted we put the wig on again. Somebody else (it was either my brother or my daughter) came in and did the same thing and my Mum got really agitated. The last time I dreamt it, we all convinced her to wear a headscarf while my sister washed the wig – there were loads and loads of spiders or some kind of creepy crawlies all over it.
A. It's quite common to dream of dead loved ones. Mostly, it's to do with our feelings about the loss and sadness. However, yours seems to be much more about your mother and what happened to her. Did she have cancer? Did she lose her hair? That would explain the wig and headscarf. As for the insects, by any chance did your mother leave an inheritance that you've been in dispute over with other members of the family? Spiders represent money so the presence of them all over your Mum tells me the message is about finances. The other possibility is a more metaphorical one. Maybe the insects signify her illness and the discomfort of her hair loss. Try to sort out what this dream is telling you so you don't have to keep having it.
Ferris Wheel
10 October, 2007
Q. I am 37 years old and have had this recurring dream from when I was a very little girl, possibly four onwards. I am standing by the biggest Ferris Wheel ever. It is Massive. The ferris wheel has roundish/ovalish futuristic looking Pods that people ride in and the Ferris Wheel is over a large stretch of water. Everyone is queuing up, including me. As people go on the Ferris wheel, then I go on, the pods go round and round like a Ferris Wheel does, but then the pods dip into the water and the dream starts to get very scary and I wake up, almost as if the Ferris Wheel is about to collapse. In 2000, in the UK (where I am originally from), they built a huge Ferris Wheel, overlooking the Thames Water way, (right over water, just like my dream), with EXACTLY the same pods I dream about, large, oval pods and the Wheel is huge. When they built this and I saw the pods and the wheel was over the water. I had a huge instinct that this is THE Ferris Wheel I was dreaming about. Also, in the same dream, I am standing in a large area of bright green grass, with absolute MASSIVE white statues above me, the statues are huge, I would be an ant size compared to them. Charmaine, do you know if my dream is a premonition? The UK Ferris Wheel called the London Eye is exactly like my dream. I would be grateful for your comments, thank you so much.
A. This seems like a convincing example of a premonition. There's no other explanation for your clear and precise conjuring of these images. I can't offer you a logical answer except to say that I also have dreamt things that have then come to pass and I get lots of mail on this subject too. The mind seems to be able to "see" visions of events, people, places, objects and so on that exist in the future. Are you generally a psychic person? The other part of your dream is very positive - white statues, green grass. It's all good. From what you've told me, I think you should always take heed of your dreams as you seem to be very much in tune with your subconscious, a wonderful gift.
Pregnancy And Crazy Dreams
3 October, 2007
Q. I am eighteen year old and I'm 35 weeks pregnant. My whole pregnancy, I've had some crazy dreams, but lately I've been having some dreams that are freaking me out and making me question my sexuality. I have had two dreams (in the same night) in which I was either longing to or was doing "things" with women. One of the women was someone from a show I watch and the other was a friend from a long time ago. In the friend dream, I woke up before anything happened, but we were in a car and she was doing my make-up and we were planning on going to her house and "hooking up" but when we got there, I had to pee because (in my dreams I'm pregnant too), and I kept falling asleep on the toilet. I have no idea what these dreams mean. Before I got pregnant, I was always going out and partying and I experimented with things like that, (but I was still strongly convinced it was just experimenting and that I was in love with my boyfriend). I'm still with my boyfriend, but after those dreams, I'm questioning everything... Please help me get my head back on straight.
A. My standard warning is - don't take dreams too literally, especially sexual ones which really freak people out. If you have experimented with same sex experiences in your past, it's not all that strange that you would dream about making love with women. It doesn't mean that you are gay or want to give up your boyfriend for a life with a female partner. Trust in your feelings and don't let these dreams confuse you. You're pregnant and I think these dreams are all mixed up with that. Dreams become more clear and intense during emotional periods of our life. Relax - worry isn't healthy when you're pregnant.
Missing A Friend
26 September, 2007
Q. My best girlfriend whom I knew since I was 5 years old passed away 3 years ago from a sudden disease. She was just 21 years old. When she died, I was in another country; my parents didn't want to upset me and didn't tell me about it. I found out after 2 months. And now since she died, I see her in my dreams almost once a week. I see myself in the past, sometimes I talk to her and it's just like real. Sometimes she doesn't talk to me but looks at me like she wants to tell something. If I think about all dreams that I had, it seems to me that she wants to tell something or maybe she is upset about something. We never knew the cause of her sudden death. Doctors couldn't tell a diagnosis. She went to a hospital and died there in 3 days. Right after she went to the hospital she was in a coma. Please help me to understand the meaning of my dreams. It's been 3 years that I'm trying to interpret them myself, but I can't.
A. This dream is essentially effecting closure for you. It's common for people to dream of dead loved ones because it's a way to deal with grief. There's even a belief that loved ones appear in dreams to communicate with those left behind. In your case, it's easy to see why either of these explanations could be relevant. You never had a chance to say goodbye so your subconscious is processing the pain of loss through these night-time experiences. It's also possible that your friend is indeed visiting you through your dreams as she needs to say goodbye too, and knows you need comforting. If you've been having these dreams weekly over 3 years, the situation is urgent. You need to do something now to work through the pain of losing someone so important to you. The bereavement process is complicated but take a first step and gradually the dreams will fade but your memories never will.
Gun Nightmare
19 September, 2007
Q. I had a very disturbing dream last night and I'm wondering if you can tell me what it means. I dreamt that I was surrounded by people with guns. These people were shooting indiscriminately at everything around them - cars, buildings, people. I saw several people get shot down. A couple of the buildings and cars exploded and I saw some people catch on fire/get burned. I myself was not wielding a gun, nor was I injured, but I did feel directly threatened by the people holding the guns. It was almost like being in the middle of an action movie. None of the people in my dream was anybody I know in waking life. All were strangers. To give you a little background, I'm dealing with some issues regarding my ex-husband and also some anxieties regarding my health, my children and my career. It would be fair to say that I'm under stress (although not overwhelmed) and that I am also at a crossroads in my life.
A. Guns are never a good omen in dreams. They can signal a warning of difficult times ahead but based on what you've told me about your life, it seems that your dreams are processing the anxiety you're still carrying from what you've been through. Stress is part of human life but at times, we get an overload and it oppresses us. One of the important functions of dreams is to release this stress and it's a great benefit. So, whilst this dream is unpleasant, it's doing you good. Everything about it is loaded with emotion - the noise, the danger, the personal threat to you. See it as effecting a full stop on a difficult time in your life and look forward to a less stressful future and brighter dreams.
Sisterhood
12 September, 2007
Q. I was wondering if you can help me understand something because it has been going on for a while. It's a dream where I am dreaming of my mother's past. The dream is that she probably had a child in her early years besides me and in the recurring dream, before I keep getting woken up, shows me a glance of maybe the child's birth date which said March 17, 1978 or 1977 and some names which said Ashley, and other girl names that begin with the letter A. The other dream is that maybe the child is adopted because I have also seen a sign of her signature on the records but I couldn't make out what it was. I also keep having these feelings like I am going to meet with my sister someday. Sometimes I find myself crying. My mother is deceased so can you please tell me if I have a sister out there somewhere and what this dream means? I need to know some answers.
A. One of the fascinating aspects of dreamlife is that our dreams can
show us events from past or future, all sorts of details we can't imagine how we could know. As the details are very precise, it's quite possible that your subconscious mind is supplying you with the facts so that you will reconnect with these sisters you may have out there. Why don't you follow the clues and check birth records that you can have access to and see if your dream has any validity. Just don't bank on it all panning out the way you hope. Dreams can't always be taken literally. They could merely be signifying a longing you have for family. If this is true, try to develop some real relationships so that your dream family will not need to keep appearing.
Dreams Of Cheating
5 September, 2007
Q. I have been with my boyfriend for a year now and we are in love, however he told me he had a dream of cheating on me... this was after I kept telling him not to cheat and how I get scared so I think it was in his head but I just need to know if his dreaming about it means anything... please let me know.
A. No, I don't think this is anything to worry about. Dreams process our daytime fears and worries. As you had mentioned, your concerns about his cheating, his inner mind worked it out through dreaming. You really caused this yourself because you kept bringing up the subject. If you don't want it to keep happening, trust your boyfriend a bit more, and yourself too. If you believe in your relationship, there's no reason for you to be so insecure. If it continues, consider doing some work on yourself so that your future can be happy and stable. The dreams will just naturally stop then.
Future Revealed
29 August, 2007
Q. I would like to share a little bit about how my dreams have worked for me in the past. It is a family trait. I usually have dreams that tell me about the future and they are always about family or lovers. On January 17th, the guy that I was dating asked me to leave his house immediately after we had sex. I dreamed about this event at about 95% of the actual occurrence. I am very analytical and most of the times can put the meanings together or just wait to see how the actual event plays itself out. In most cases it is at 95% the same and in some cases 100% the same. I not too long ago had a dream about one of my daughter's friends and I contacted him and told him about the dream and he told me that that did happen but not to the magnitude that I dreamed it. Well, during the week of the 2nd of this month the dream I had was really reflective of my daughter and her friend. That was the first time that I had ever dreamed like that. Now, last night I have the dream about the man I was seeing at the time. We still have a relationship in some way but that part gets into long details. He has had some really bad experiences. Please explain why I am dreaming about real past events.
A. If I could explain this, I'd become a world-famous therapist! Even the great Freud only had theories, but the subconscious mind is deep and mysterious, basically unfathomable. I can only tell you what I believe. Time is not consecutive but rather concurrent, in other words, past, present and future are all happening at the same time. Fragments of this timelessness float into our dreams and give us glimpses of these other realities, even past lives. You can see why people have difficulty accepting this but if you can think of another explanation, I'd be glad to hear it. The subconscious mind knows things the conscious doesn't - let's leave it at that. You have a gift. Enjoy it; it's nothing to worry about.
Chased By Bears
22 August, 2007
Q. I have been having these recurring dreams/nightmares about being chased by bears. At times these bears are very large brown grizzly bears coming down from the mountains in droves. I am normally in a cabin type mountain home with others, family member’s children included, but the other people are not always family members. Sometimes they are complete strangers running from the bears for dear life. These bears are very brutal and destructive and are man-eaters. In my dreams they have attacked and killed family pets like our dog, horses and also have attacked humans, but the humans always get away, however injured. I also have these same dreams about smaller but just as equally scary and mean, and determined black bears. These black bears come to kill, and destroy at dusk. They come in groups. Sometimes they have their baby bears with them and they use them as ploys to get to us. What I mean as ploys is that the baby bears appear cute and harmless but the larger bears are always just behind a door or a bush away ready to pounce and kill. These dreams are not at all pleasant. I consider them nightmarish and very real and even after I awake, I seem to be very nervous. Can you help make some sense of these dreams?
A. I can certainly see why you'd be upset by these dreams. They sound distinctly unpleasant. Bears represent danger, in whatever form it might take in your waking life. These dreams you describe are very menacing and indicate some sort of threat or intimidation. What could this be? The only way you can make the dreams stop is to figure out what's troubling you at a deep level, bring it to the surface and release it once and for all. Whether the bears are large brown ones or the smaller black ones, the meaning is clear. The bit about the babies being used as decoys indicates there's deception afoot in your life as well, so try to get to the bottom of it.
House On Fire
15 August, 2007
Q. I dreamt of my house being burnt down and it was really freaky as it was my ex who has burnt my sister's house down. I have just recently broken up with him because of too much domestic violence. I have had this dream before, woke up in the sweats and knew it was a dream but it concerns me that it's reappearing. The dream is getting clearer and clearer. It all happens when I'm out visiting my parents. Why is that? Please help me.
A. I'm not sure if you mean that your ex burnt down your sister's house in a dream or in reality so putting that aside, I shall just deal with the recurring dream you described. If indeed your ex burnt down your sister's house, it's pretty easy to understand that you would dream about it. If not, then the fire represents danger and again, it's not hard to see that you would dream about a terrible, frightening incident when you suffered domestic violence at the hands of your ex. You probably included your parents in the dream because they symbolize protection, the opposite of feeling helpless and victimized. You are right to be concerned as the dream is repeating and getting more graphic but you can stop it by getting some closure on your difficult relationship. If you haven't had counseling, you could consider it or at least, talk to someone you trust.
Show Me The Money!
8 August, 2007
Q. In my dream, I heard a voice give me an amount of $1,100.00 dollars. I am in need of some financial help, so I don't know if this is a sign to play the lottery.
A. You can certainly play any games of chance you fancy, but unfortunately, I think your dream is more one of wish fulfillment than of prediction. I say this because it was a one-off which is usually about processing a waking-life situation rather than showing you the future. Truly predictive dreams tend to appear in sets of three or some other form of recurring dream. As you say, you need money, your inner mind conjured it up for you in the form of a dream. Try to think of some ways to get extra cash for yourself but continue to put out for luck to find you because faith is very powerful.
What's In The Attic?
1 August, 2007
Q. The dreams that I most often remember involve old, large buildings, sometimes mansions, but most often tall hotels. The buildings seem to be from the 1920's to 1940's and though activities involving the sea do not seem to happen, I always seem to know that I'm at some type of shore. The specific activities or purpose in the buildings is never exactly clear but I am always on a quest to reach a place that I never seem to get to. My first love from high school is often with me and we are often being pursued by someone unknown. There does seem to be some type of theme involving the top floor of structures. Sometimes, if my dreams take place in a simple home, it turns into a quest to find or spending time in a hidden attic type space above the main living quarters. Sometimes, the dreams involve an exiting, but terrifying climb up old wooden staircases, like fire escapes that seem to be ready to collapse. There are also occasional dreams involving large institutional type bathrooms that seem to be in the basements of the same buildings and are always very old, filthy and decrepit. I am going from area to area trying to find a clean place to use but cannot ever find it. These dreams are so exact as far as the structures that I've actually developed an interest in researching old buildings along coastlines thinking that I may actually find the places I dream of.
A. It is possible that you could find these buildings in reality - stranger things have happened as a direct result of dreaming. However, I'm going to take a different approach in interpreting your dreams for you. In general, buildings represent yourself, especially if private homes. Attics or upper floors are your brain area, the thinking, mental part. What are you trying to find, grasp or remember? Attics are also "hidden" and storage places, so maybe it's an old secret your subconscious is grappling with. There seems to a certain amount of anxiety too, due to the presence of an old love (nostalgia) and the filthy bathrooms. One of the recurring themes of your dreams involves searching and seeking so that seems to be the message. These dreams will continue until you figure out what you need to know.
Red In The Bed
25 July, 2007
Q. I had a number of family members die about two years ago, all within about six months of each other. After they died, I dreamt about them and I noticed that in each dream, the only color I recall seeing was red. My grandpa's plaid shirt, blood from my Mom's nose... things like that. Any ideas?
A. Red in a dream represents two main things - passion and anger. It can also depict death via blood. The latter meaning is often a warning but I don't think that's the case with your dream. I think it's to do with bereavement which can affect people in strange ways. A great way to release the grief of losing loved ones is to dream, particularly if you see the ones you've lost. You had a lot of loss all at once and the red is a visual image of your anger about that. It's healthy to let these feelings out and this dream probably will not recur once enough time has passed.
Always Dreaming About The Same Boy
18 July, 2007
Q. I'm almost 17 and a junior in high school. Ever since last December, I have been having recurring dreams; but not he same dream, just with the same person. This person is a boy in my class that I see a lot and also on weekends and we have the same friends. Every single night, I have been dreaming of him in different dreams. I have been writing down my dreams in a book and trying to figure out what they all have in common. I have done some research on recurring dreams and found that dreams like these are trying to say something or put out a message that I should be aware of. I had also read somewhere that in order for me to show awareness of these dreams is to say them to that person. Although it would be kind of weird to go up to him and tell him; "Hey, I dream about you every night." I am willing to do whatever it takes to make these dreams stop or at least for him to leave my dreams. He knows that I'm having these dreams but he doesn't know that he is the boy that keeps appearing in my dreams. What should I do?
A. You're right in what you've researched about recurring dreams. They are always trying to give you an important message that you're not getting otherwise. In this case, I think you're just processing your day at school and the people you spend time with, including this boy. Do you like him in particular? Maybe you do and don't know it. Try to think what the dream's persistent message is. You're doing the right thing in recording all your dreams each night as that's how you'll come to understand them more and more. I don't think you really need to tell anyone about your dreams unless you want to. Dreams are very personal and only relevant to you. The best way to let the dreams of the boy go is to stop worrying about it and trying to figure it out. If you decide you don't like him specially, the dream's message must not be significant.
Loved Ones Departed
11 July, 2007
Q. My grandfather passed away from cancer in February this year. The other night I dreamt I saw him in the mall that is down the road. He looked so good! We greeted one another but I knew he was gone so I was a bit confused and just went along with it. I was very excited to see him. We didn’t talk long. Then we went our own separate ways. Straight after that dream, I dreamt that I was pregnant and gave birth but never felt any pain. My whole family was in the room, but not my husband. Please can you tell me what this means because it has been bugging me and I don’t know who to talk to about this because I feel stupid.
A. You should never feel "stupid" for any genuine question, doubt, concern or emotion you experience; and certainly never your dreams, which come from the wisest part of you. That's why we should take notice of them. They offer insights we can't get elsewhere. As to the dream you've described, I get a lot of letters on this particular subject. It's very common and very beautiful to dream of loved ones who have died. It's a way for them to say goodbye and for the dreamer to find closure and peace. Your pregnancy/birthing dream is more about you and your life than about your marriage so please don't worry unnecessarily about the meaning. The fact that your whole family is present tells me this is true. Birthing is actually about creativity and a new life, so if you're a bit stuck in this area, find an outlet and go for it.
Spiders!
4 July, 2007
Q. I had a dream that I was working in a pub with an old landlord that I worked for when I was 24. I am now 35. In this dream cobwebs started to appear and then I felt this thing going up my leg and it was a tarantula. I am horrified of spiders and I began to seriously panic. Then spiders started to fall on me from all over. Different shapes and different sizes. I awoke from my dream and could not get back to sleep for quite a while. When I did finally fall back to sleep, I felt a burning all over my legs, face and arms where the venom from the spiders had affected me. What does this dream mean?
A. Funnily enough, spiders in dreams represent the coming of money and financial luck. In your case, if they were falling all over you, it's a fortunate omen indeed. Tarantulas are large spiders, so that adds to the meaning but before you go out and start spending your windfall, consider that we often dream about our fears if they are powerful enough. We all have phobias, and if we allow it, they can control us; so I suggest you try to get some help with this. The burning in your legs after the dream just proves the power of the mind. A dream can seem that real. Your dream must've scared you a lot but in itself, it's not a bad one.
Too Many Men
27 June, 2007
Q. I have been having dreams about men I know. Each night I have dreamt about different men but the dream is basically the same; that I am in a relationship with them. The dreams seem to be about men that I have spoken to on that particular day. I am single at the minute and the man that I do like doesn’t appear in any of these dreams. Can you please tell me what these dreams mean?
A. One of the functions of dreams is to process our daily activities, so in itself, your dream is not surprising. Dreams are not literal which is an assurance that your being in a relationship with these guys does not mean it's likely to happen or that you want it to happen. The man you do like does not appear, which is the most significant aspect of the dream. It almost seems that your subconscious is having a bit of fun with you, showing you what could be but in an obscure way - which is of course what dreams are good at doing! I think your desire for the one guy is showing through in these dreams but in a roundabout way. Maybe you should do something about it.
Mom On The Other Side
20 June, 2007
Q. My mom passed away on Feb11, 2007; suddenly, no illness or anything that lead up to her passing, and I dream of her off and on. Last night's dream, though, was weird and I cannot get it out of my head. It started with my family and I dealing with the loss of my mom and finishing her funeral arrangements and her viewing. There were friends and family at my mom's and stepdad's house, and I noticed that there were messages on their answering machine. I pushed "play" and there was a message from my mom saying that she was ready to be picked up. I was like - what?! I didn't say anything to anyone but went outside. I decided to tell my stepfather and he left to go to the funeral home, I guess being "picked up" meant her ashes, as she was cremated. But then I saw her walking up to the house wondering what was going on. I saw her first and was confused. I told her I was confused and told her that we just had her viewing, that she was dead. How can she be here? She said "no," she was hiding for a couple of days and that she needed to catch someone so she hid. My sisters then realized I was outside and came out to see mom too. They were saying that it can't be possible and we cannot believe that she is here and not dead. Then I woke up. What does this dream mean?
A. It's very natural to dream of a loved one who has died, especially soon after the passing. It's brought on by the intensity of your feelings and the turmoil caused by your grief. These dreams can be strangely comforting because it almost feels like you're actually seeing the deceased one. In fact, it's just a processing procedure to deal with all the mixed emotions. Your specific dream can be interpreted in two ways - wishful thinking on your part as you naturally want your mom back, or your mom's spirit really visited you to let you know she's okay. Which one you accept is up to your own beliefs about life after death. Either way, there's nothing to worry about.
First Love
13 June, 2007
Q. I keep dreaming of my first love and that we should be together, but we can't because I am married. I have these dreams almost every night and it's really starting to mess with my head. I dream that I leave my husband and we are so happy and he is so in love with me. I can't explain why I have thought about him all these years, and can't get him out of my head. Please help!
A. Instead of worrying too much about what these dreams mean, why don't you tune into your innermost feelings and ask yourself if you truly want out of your marriage? It's not really about this first love, is it? If you were happily married, why would you be entertaining feelings for an old love? Dreams bring to the surface our hidden fears, anxieties and desires. If your heart tells you that you still want the other guy, think seriously about trying to contact him and reconnecting. Maybe, on the other hand, your dreams are focusing on an old fantasy because you're just not happy. Use these dreams to get to the truth of your situation and then act on it.
Past dream interpretations are available here.
The most recent dream interpretations are available here.
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