ABACUS
Over thousands of years numbers have taken on a mystical and magical quality, which has helped man to understand his world and eventually led to scientific discovery. Numbers and mathematics have a great deal of significance within spiritual development and thus anything which represents counting or classification bears careful interpretation. An abacus, which allows you to learn about numbers and such concepts as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, is today more of a child’s toy than a scientific instrument. Though basic, it often suggests keeping some kind of a tally.
Counting is an extension of language and the psychological significance of a measuring tool such as an abacus is often linked with the idea of learning new skills. A broken abacus may signify the ending of childhood or of innocence.An abacus may simply be a reminder of times past which were perhaps less stressful than they are now. An abacus is an introduction to logic, a masculine quality, rather than intuition, a more feminine one. When a man dreams of an abacus, it may be that he is being reminded of the more logical side of his personality, or the need to calculate risk, whereas a woman may need to become conscious of her more objective qualities rather than rely on her emotions.
ABANDONMENT
There are actually several meanings of abandonment that can give rise to dream images. The first links with the idea of being able to let go completely – to be without restraint – and links with the Dionysian concept of abandoning the serious for fun, entering into a state of ecstasy and achieving an altered state of consciousness. The second meaning has a more negative connotation and deals with a sense of loss and deprivation. From a spiritual perspective this can arise from the initial separation anxiety that a baby may suffer when it is first born and realizes that it is no longer in the safe environment of the womb. There can also be a strong sense, as we progress spiritually, of having been abandoned or of having lost something important, perhaps our relationship with the Divine. Dreams can often help us to reconnect as we become more conscious of needing to find a safe haven.
To be abandoned, i.e. without restraint, within a dream may mean that we are seeking freedom or have issues with the idea of being constrained in some way. We are looking for the freedom to be ourselves. Similar to the sense of being rejected, the sense of having been abandoned represents how we experienced not being wanted or not fitting in with others when we were young. Such a feeling can occur as a result of trauma. For instance, a child having had to go into hospital may have recurring dreams in adulthood of being abandoned and may have problems in forming plans for future success. In such dreams there is seldom a sense of closure, often a sense of unfinished business.
When we ourselves abandon something, we are becoming aware that we no longer need a particular way of thinking or being. A child’s first and most important relationship is with its mother, so being abandoned in a dream will have slightly different connotations in a man’s dream to those of a woman. For both, however, there will be security issues. Grief at the loss of a partner or family member can trigger dreams of abandonment, perhaps bringing to the fore many unresolved issues.
You may find it helpful to read the entries for Lost, Hospital and Mother.
ABBEY – see RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS IN BUILDINGS
ABCESS – see BODY
ABDUCT
Abduction in a spiritual sense suggests being taken over by a force that cannot be contained and there is a stage in development where your dreams reflect the awareness of a spiritual force far greater than anything you have ever known. Many people believe that they have been abducted by aliens, and are radically changed by their perception of the experience. Abduction signifies being taken away against our will, forced to do something that goes against the grain. The two aspects of victimization and vulnerability come together in an act of abduction, reflecting an element of powerlessness in everyday life.
If we appear to be the victim of abduction in dreams, we usually have an issue with authority, whether that is in a work situation or in our personal lives. It may be helpful to explore such difficulties to be free of the vulnerability this brings. If we ourselves are doing the abducting we should explore our need for control. Often in an intense relationship there is a sense of being overcome. For a woman this may result in dreams of abduction whereas a man is more likely to actually play the part of the ‘knight in shining armour’.
You may find it helpful to read the entries for Alien, Hostage, Jailer, Kidnap
and Prison.
ABNORMAL
The abnormal or strange traditionally has possessed magical powers,
possibilities or opportunities. In dreams we tend to lose the logical scientific side of ourselves and to tap into the more aware open side. Such things used to be beyond understanding and, therefore, appear abnormal and, even today, can make us aware of potential beyond the obvious. In dreams abnormality often represents something that we instinctively feel is wrong, not balanced properly or out of kilter. With an understanding of spirituality we are more able to put the balance right. An awareness of abnormality alerts us to the fact that we should be paying particular attention to areas in life that are not in line with the way we feel they should be. To dream of a giant, for instance, can indicate that our attention is being drawn to particular issues to do with size or deformity. There is something in our life that may be too big or too distorted to handle. If the abnormality is extraordinary, such as an abnormal feeling or sound, it is the strangeness that needs to be explored. Inappropriate behaviour or distortion of what we consider to be normal can give us information helpful in managing a situation in everyday life.
In the balance within us of masculine and feminine, both men and women can find that, as they reach for a better understanding of themselves, dreams bring to the surface traits of character which we consider to be abnormal or deviant.
Considering the meaning of Magic/Magician and Size may widen your understanding of your particular dream.
ABORTION
Pregnancy is a time of waiting and an abortion is an enforced ending of
that time. The modern phrase ‘termination of pregnancy’ is much closer to the spiritual implications of a dream about an abortion. Generally we must give up a cherished project or idea that has not yet come to full maturity in favour of something else, which ultimately is more important. The need to look clearly at what we have undertaken to do or to be in our lives becomes apparent.We are in a position to make decisions that will get rid of what is no longer needed, or free us from responsibilities that we cannot Abortion handle. We have internalized a new way of thinking or of being, which, on further consideration, may need to be rejected.
There may be a need to reject a feeling, emotion, belief or concept that could be troublesome in some way. A risk has been taken which has not worked – often in relationships – and we must now make a conscious decision to restore the status quo. When a woman is pregnant and dreams of abortion, particularly during a first pregnancy, she is often trying to come to terms with her new status and any fears and doubts she may have. Such a dream is not usually precognitive.
When a man has such a dream he may be beginning to come to terms with some kind of emotional trauma, feelings that he needs to understand and perhaps mourn.
Additional information might be gleaned by consulting the entries for Baby,
Family and Pregnancy.
ABOVE – see POSITION
ABROAD
Going or being abroad is all about new spiritual experiences. We are moving away from mundane earthly experiences, breaking new ground and transcending boundaries. If we are aware of the country we are in or travelling to, then there is a particular quality or character trait that may be developed in us. There is a psychological need to get away from, or leave, a situation. We are perhaps travelling towards something new. Our minds are more than capable of accepting new input and experience and will often do soon a subliminal level. We then become aware through dreams of what we have learnt, or what we have to do.
To dream about being or going abroad gives us an understanding of our feelings towards the widening of our horizons, or making changes in our lives. Such dreams may also be connected with beliefs about the country in the dream (See Places). We are dreaming about personal freedom or the ability to move freely around our universe. Where the dreamer often travels in his or her workaday life, going abroad for a man may simply signify how he gets from A to B – a logical progression. For a woman her issues may be about security and emotional commitment.
Since the method of travel may be of significance, you may like to consult the entries for Aeroplane, Boat, Car, Journey and Transport.
ABSENCE
To experience an absence, or sense of nothingness, suggests the Void. This is more easily accessed in the dream state, since our waking brain receives too much input via our senses to be able totally to shut out any stimulation. We are in a situation where we may suffer loss or where we may reject something we need. The type of dream where we are in a familiar environment, but a much-loved article or person is missing, suggests we may have a feeling of impermanence.
A dream about someone being absent, or of the absence of something one would expect to find, indicates that the unexpected may happen. We may be looking for something that we have already lost. Our feelings about the absence (e.g. fear or anger) may also be important. A child experiences a strong sense of loss when mother is first absent from his perceived environment and this can cause extreme distress.
You might like to consult the entries for Abyss and Lose/Loss/Lost.
ABUSE
Spiritual abuse suggests that our sense of rightness has been violated.
Perhaps our beliefs or faith have been held up to ridicule. We do not have the resources to be able to withstand such an onslaught. Emotional abuse in ordinary life can be experienced in dreams as violence and brutality. Physical abuse can give rise to nightmares and other terror dreams, further depleting our resources due to both broken sleep patterns and the over stimulation of the Fright, Fight, Flight response.
Also consult Anxiety Dreams in the Introduction.
ABYSS
The Underworld, which contains ghosts, ghouls, demons and inferior matters, has been pictured so often as frightening that it often appears in dreams as the abyss. On a very profound level, the Void or abyss is the Unknowable, that part of the Cosmos that is beyond our understanding. Considering the meaning of the Void or abyss and exploring doubts and fears may help with interpretation of your dream. There is a fear of losing control, of a loss of identity, or of some type of failure. More positively, it is possible to go beyond our own boundaries or present experience. Also the abyss indicates our coming to terms with opposites such as right and wrong, good and bad.
To be on the edge of the abyss suggests having to come to terms with our own fears. To dream of an abyss indicates that you recognize within yourself the so called bottomless pit or void. This is an aspect of the unknown which all of us must face at some time or another in our lives. It signifies risky action which must be taken without knowledge of what the outcome is going to be.
Consult the entry for Empty for further information.
ACCENT – see VOICE
ACCIDENT
From a spiritual perspective there is no such thing as an accident, so in dreams such an occurrence signifies Divine intervention, or interference from an authoritative source. Such dreams may highlight anxieties to do with safety or carelessness, or fear of taking responsibility. When the accident happens to us our vulnerability is highlighted, when it happens to others we are made aware of the thoughtlessness of others. Dreams of being injured, murdered or killed occur relatively frequently and seem to be a response to threat. Attention, therefore, needs to be paid to the specific circumstances of the dream.We are usually receiving a warning to be careful or to be aware of hidden aggression, either our own or others’.
Also consult the entries for Fall/Falling.
ACHE – see BODY
ACID
It is the symbolism of acid that is important in a spiritual interpretation. As a corrosive substance which may or may not have a positive effect, there is an ambivalence in any interpretation. An act of corruption and potential destructiveness eats away at our integrity, yet may leave us feeling cleansed. Psychologically there is an awareness that self-confidence and our usual sense of well-being is being eroded by outside influences. A corrosive influence in our lives may be bad but the eventual outcome can be cleansing or healing. There could be the feeling that we are being ‘eaten away’ by some action or concept. We should become aware of something – perhaps words or actions – that must be used with caution, depending how and on whom they are being used.
ACORN
Life, fertility and immortality are symbolized by the acorn, as is the androgynous. In the seed cup is the feminine and in the nut the potential for all life. The two together suggest individual life. The germ of an idea is present. There is also a need for patience in dealings, either with ourselves or others (the acorn requires a long gestation period to grow into the mighty oak). When we dream of acorns there is a huge growth process beginning to emerge from small beginnings. There is a new potential for strength and spirituality. Since acorns appear in autumn, there may be the need to harvest or gather up the ideas before they can be stored, in order to give them time to work.
Androgeny is inherent in the acorn along with the close relationship between the masculine and feminine principles with its potential for growth. This often means that this symbol should be interpreted by the male as fertility (normally a feminine realm) and by the female as tenacity and strength (usually perceived as masculine traits).
ACQUIT
Any dream about a judicial process is usually to do with your own internal sense of right or wrong, so to dream that you have been acquitted of a crime suggests that spiritually you feel you can justify your own actions. Whether we have chosen to develop it or not, there is an inner mentoring process which goes on in the background of our lives. Self-justification is not always possible on a conscious level, but dreams give us the opportunity to sort out our fears and doubts about our own moral conduct. On a more mundane level, to dream that you are acquitted of a crime denotes the possibility of legal action. To see others acquitted in your dream signifies that you are able to find compassion and forgiveness over others’ misdemeanours.
You may find clarification by reading the entries for Authority Figures in People,
Guilt and Juror/Jury.
ACTOR
There is an idea that we write our own scripts in life, so to perceive an actor on stage suggests that we each need to take responsibility for our actions and the act of living. Such an image may also suggest that we are somewhat dissociated from reality. We each are actors in our own play, so to see ourselves as actors suggests we may be projecting a particular persona or specific aspect of ourselves. We may not yet feel that we are in control of our own destiny, but are being ruled by the circumstances around us. We are being given the opportunity to make changes and become a different person. To dream of an actor, particularly a famous one, is to become aware of the ego in oneself. Very often we become conscious of the roles we are acting out every day and recognize that we are perhaps not playing the part we really want to in life.
In a man’s dream an actor can represent the public figure while an actress will suggest one of the feminine archetypes and his Anima. In a woman’s dream an actor may represent her Animus and an actress a hidden, perhaps unrecognized part of herself.
You might also like to consult the entries for Celebrity, Famous People and Theatre.
ADDER – see SNAKE AND SERPENT IN ANIMALS
ADDICT/ADDICTION
Spiritually, this is connected with the pleasure seeking, hedonistic aspect of the Self, which seeks a change of consciousness for the better. The story of Dionysus, who taught men how to grow and tend the vine and to make wine because he felt that man deserved the ecstatic experience, epitomizes man’s search for a better world, and the need to understand his own passionate nature. Awareness of addiction in dreams is an identification of the hold our own passions may have over us. We fear loss of control (that is, control over ourselves), but also our control of other people. To be with a group of addicts suggests we do not understand our own behaviour in social situations. We may be conscious of the fact that we tend to become the victim in everyday life. Such a dream allows us to recognize and acknowledge obsessive behaviour in ourselves or others.We may be subconsciously aware or have an anxiety that someone or something is taking us over. To be addicted to someone is to have abdicated responsibility for ourselves.To be addicted to a substance such as tobacco, alcohol or drugs in a dream suggests an inability to relate properly to the world we live in and that we cannot function without some sort of a prop or psychological crutch.
Also consult the entries for Alcohol/Alcoholic and Drugs.
ADDRESS – see EMAIL, LETTER AND PARCEL
ADOLESCENT – see PEOPLE
ADOPT
To adopt a person or a way of life is to draw it towards you – to make it your own. From a spiritual perspective this suggests a process of learning to be comfortable within a given set of circumstances – to accept a way of being. It may be that an aspect of your life needs adjustment and the circumstances surrounding a dream of adoption need exploring. To dream of being adopted may reveal a basic insecurity over your sense of self. Dreaming of adopting a child suggests you may have doubts about taking on new responsibilities. Conversely such a dream may signify that you are now in a position to take on a new project or concept.
In a man’s dream, being adopted may suggest fear of emotional closeness, whereas in a woman’s dream, she may actually be seeking such closeness. Your own personal circumstances will often give further clarification.
ADVERTISEMENT
The dreaming mind will often use a well-known object or device to drive home its message and an advertisement is one of those devices. Information received psychically needs acknowledgement so we can move forwards. There is a need to put ourselves on the line and to be acknowledged for who we are. If we ourselves are the subject of the advertisement, we should expect to be more upfront and open about our activities. If someone we know is advertising themselves in our dream, we may have become aware that they have the ability to help us in our activities. Conversely, our subconscious maybe alerting us to their need for help.
Depending on the other content of the dream, this indicates those areas in our lives that need to be acknowledged or recognized. For instance, an advertisement on a hoarding might mean a way of working in the world, whereas a television advert would represent a way of thinking. To dream of reading an advertisement in a newspaper might have a more personal impact than any other type of message.
ADVICE
We all have an inner awareness. The Higher Self or spiritual part of ourselves will often manifest itself as a figure that is giving advice, sometimes a figure of authority or a parental figure. In dreams, accepting advice helps us to acknowledge the need for change – perhaps to be doing something you don’t necessarily want to do. Giving advice is recognizing that you are aware that you have information that can be helpful to others. Receiving advice in a dream means we should consider guidance from within, possibly from a part of ourselves that is unrecognized. A little thought will usually reveal which circumstances in our daily lives are under consideration.
In a man’s dream, if he is receiving advice from a woman he may find it helpful to identify with which aspect of his Anima he is working. In a woman’s dream, she may wish to consider her Animus as an ally rather than as an opponent.
Additional information can be gleaned by reading Archetypes in the Introduction and the entry for Family.
AEROPLANE
By association with the winged chariot, the aeroplane represents a spiritual journey. However as more and more people use this form of transport, the aeroplane can simply suggest the need for quick action or change of circumstance. Like the bus, it can represent a group purpose. An aeroplane denotes a search for psychological freedom, a move towards independent being. It also suggests transcendence of the mundane, a need to ‘lift off ’ into new ways of thinking. Dreams of aeroplanes can represent sudden or dramatic life changes. An aeroplane taking off represents a leap into the unknown and taking risks. An aeroplane landing indicates the success of a new venture or the outcome of a calculated risk. An aeroplane crashing suggests the failure of a venture or life dream.
In some cases the aeroplane can suggest a phallic symbol or the assertive masculine. A man may choose this interpretation at the beginning of a new relationship, whereas a woman is more likely to use this interpretation as she progresses further into the relationship and understands her partner’s ambition and drive.
You may also like to consult the entries for Abroad, Airport, Bus, Journey
and Transport.
AFFAIR
Dreaming of an affair shows we are seeking to integrate opposite polarities within ourselves: male/female, drive/receptivity, good/bad. Such integration and an understanding of the dynamics leads to wholeness and an ability to access hidden aspects of our personality. We could be actively seeking emotional satisfaction in a way that is unacceptable in our waking lives. In dreams, to be having an affair with someone we don’t know suggests that we should perhaps reassess our own needs and desires. If the affair is with someone we know but would not normally consider in that light we are perhaps looking for different sorts of satisfaction.
We need to come to terms with our own sexual needs and desires for excitement and stimulation. Dreaming of an affair allows us to release such feelings. We may feel the need to do something naughty or something that means we have to take emotional risks. When a woman dreams of an affair, it is likely that she has registered that connection before becoming consciously aware of it. A man will tend to be more physically attracted before dreaming of an affair. Men tend to be better at analyzing systems while women tend to be better at reading the emotions of other people. They have an increased ability to bond and be connected to others.
For further clarification you might like to read the entries for Family and People.
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