AGGRESSION – see ANGER
AIR
Spiritually, air signifies the Breath of Life and is the second element in the four creative elements of Fire, Air,Water and Earth, which together are part of the manifestation. Air represents the intellect and psychologically allows us to bridge the gap between the spiritual realm and the physical. As breath, it is a necessary part of life which tends not to be thought about until there is a problem. In dreams we will become conscious of air as a breeze or a wind of some sort. From a pragmatic point of view, air is a force which supports and surrounds all that we do, so in dreams to be conscious of bellows or a pump suggests that we need to use strategy and power to achieve our ends. Consult the entry for Wind for further clarification.
AIR FORCE – see ARMED FORCES
AIRPORT
An airport, because of its transitory nature, is a place for new experiences. We are ready to consider our spiritual progression, to move into a new way of perceiving life and all it has to offer. It signifies the desire for freedom, high ideals, ambition and hopes. Being delayed at an airport suggests that conditions are not yet right for what it is you wish to begin.We are being put in a position where our values may need to be reassessed in the light of our own – or someone else’s – authority. In dreaming of an airport we are entering a stage of transition, making decisions to move into new areas of life. It may also indicate we are, or should be, making a fresh assessment of our own identity.Watching planes take off from an airport lounge suggests that we are – or fear – being left behind.
ALBATROSS – see BIRDS
ALBINO – see COLOUR
ALCHEMY
Alchemy is the science of transformation and refinement, when crude material is turned into pure.While it is understood by most to be the turning of lead into gold, the spiritual significance is, in fact, the refinement of the spirit through understanding into a state of awareness approaching Divinity and the knowledge of Eternal Life. Alchemy from a psychological perspective is a philosophy of the cosmos and of mankind’s place in the scheme of things. It is the refinement of thought, having the key through the Archetypes to unlocking an understanding of the innermost and unconscious part of the psyche. As an agent for change it has a relevance in dreams through both its symbolism and processes.
Alchemy began as a rudimentary form of chemical technology, exploring the nature of substances, and in so doing developed a series of semi-scientific procedures in order to find the essence of those substances. It has that significance in dreams of a mundane nature when we are trying to get to the bottom of problems and situations.
ALCOHOL/ALCOHOLIC
Alcohol as ‘spirit’ or essence is the conjunction of opposites, a combination of the principles of fire and water. It is a means of changing consciousness. In dreams where alcohol is a feature there is an element of attempting to transcend the ordinary and approach the Divine (the Essence). When the normal constraints we put on ourselves in waking life are removed, we can often reach our own truth. Alcohol as a symbol of the removal of restraint enables us to accept dream ideas we might otherwise reject. There is the recognition of the potential for emotional confusion out of which can come clarity.To dream of an alcoholic suggests that we need to look at the way we handle excess and obsession in our daily lives. When alcohol appears in a dream it suggests that in a mundane sense we may need or require a largely pleasurable experience or influence. We have available means of changing perception.We can afford to let go and ‘go with the flow’ of what is happening to us.
As the use of alcohol becomes more prevalent in the everyday, it can have the effect of changing the quality of dreams, bringing more frightening or incomprehensible images to the fore. Often these images need to be interpreted in the way that they were in previous times, as gremlins and hidden fears and anxieties. Men tend to be less inclined to interpret such images and to dismiss them as being irrelevant, women may choose to take note of them. You may like to consult the entries for Abandonment, Drunk and Wine.
ALIEN/ALIENATED
From a spiritual perspective an alien thought suggests one that goes against the grain. An alien being may be a manifestation of evil or, as something different and not yet understood, the Occult. To recognize that you feel alienated within a dream suggests that there is the potential in everyday life for experiencing oneself – or a part of oneself – as not belonging.To feel alienated from the dream scenario is the realization of being different from others in the way we live our lives.
To dream of an alien being suggests that there is something unknown and frightening which needs to be faced. We have never encountered the strangeness of the being that appears in our dream and we must handle whatever happens.
ALLERGY – see ILLNESS
ALMOND – see FOOD AND NUT
ALONE
Spiritually, dreaming of being totally alone suggests that we have reached a state of completeness, of wholeness.We have dissociated ourselves from the ordinary and the mundane. We have developed the ability to recognize the need to deal with our own emotional make-up without the help of others. By and large such a dream occurs within the framework of learning to meditate and highlights our individuality. Dreaming of being alone can highlight being single, isolated or lonely.
More positively, it represents the need for independence. Loneliness can be experienced as a negative state, whereas being alone can be very positive. Often in dreams a feeling is highlighted in order for us to recognize whether it is positive or negative. In both men’s and women’s dreams, feeling alone can highlight the state of our relationships.When someone dies or a relationship comes to an end, such a dream can signify grief.
ALTAR
In most religions the altar signifies a sacred space where we commune with the Divine In the presence of the Divine, we can give thanks and be at one. Spiritually an altar signifies both the barrier and the link between the physical realms and the spiritual. The act of sacrifice, or rather of making our lives sacred, needs to be acknowledged and can be done through ceremony. An altar is an appropriate place to carry out such ceremonies, so in dreams it signifies a special place of great meaning. What is placed on the altar is significant and can be interpreted in the light of your religious belief or lack of such belief. Psychologically, it is worthwhile considering what is being sacrificed or given up, either willingly or unwillingly, in everyday life. An altar in a dream represents the means or need to give ourselves up to something that is more important than the immediate situation. It can also represent the centre of your world, the starting point for a new life, or the giving up of an old one.
Within the framework of the differences between men’s and women’s dreams, working at an altar can highlight the difference between the archetype of the sorcerer, who tends to use power dispassionately, and the priestess, whose caring is more intuitive and in tune with what is needed.
AMBER – see GEMS/JEWELS
AMBULANCE – see TRANSPORT
AMBUSH
Any dream that contains an image representing a force greater than ourselves suggests an inability to handle circumstances around us. The most outstanding element of an ambush is its surprise, highlighting the unexpectedness of such a situation. Spiritually this may be, for instance, emotions and feelings about past events or traumas, with which we may consider we have come to terms but which re-emerge to trap us. Dreams of being ambushed suggest that we are subconsciously aware of being in danger. Our way forward is blocked until we deal with the problem. Waiting to ambush someone else suggests an element of cruelty in our makeup and that we are waiting for someone to make a mistake. Circumstances around us are not what they seem and we can expect the unexpected. Whether we can deal with what happens depends on our strength of character and ability to handle crises. You may also like to consult the entry for Kidnap and Prison.
AMERICA – see PLACES
AMETHYST – see GEMS/JEWELS
AMPUTATION
Spiritually any amputation signifies a loss of some sort – we may be attempting to disfigure the perfect. Often dreams show by their symbolism what is not right or good and a dream of amputation suggests that we need to take action to rectify the situation. We are suffering from a loss of power or ability and may, in the process, find that we have cut short an experience. Since pain is often a consequence of an amputation, we are trying to come to terms with pain or unpleasantness which has occurred in waking life.
When we dream of the amputation of one of our own limbs, we risk or fear losing or cutting off, by repressing, a part of ourselves. There is loss of a facility or something we value. To dream of amputating someone else’s limb indicates our ability to deny others their right to self-expression. Arising from the patterning laid down in the womb, dreams of amputation of a limb can often have a sexual or gender specific meaning.
In a man’s dream there is an aspect of emasculation occurring, whereas in a woman’s dream, she may be experiencing problems with aspects of her Animus.
AMULET – see BADGE AND GEMS/JEWELS
ANALYST
When we dream of visiting an analyst or therapist we are in contact with the transformative power within, the monitor that alerts us to the need to analyse our actions and reactions. Spiritually that part of us that can heal us is making itself felt. The presence of an analyst in dreams alerts us to the fact that we are not acting appropriately in a situation in waking life. Also, if we are undergoing therapy in real life, the professional person can become a figure of authority in dreams.
By analyzing our actions and ideas – and breaking them down into manageable parts – we can improve our everyday lives. Often in dreams an analyst will appear as a member of the opposite sex, so it is worthwhile taking careful note of what the interaction is between you and other people in the dream scenario.
ANCESTORS – see FAMILY
ANCHOR
From a spiritual perspective the symbol of the anchor is particularly significant as it represents a boat and mast and hence the union of masculine and feminine. Its appearance in a dream shows we are working towards a time of a future tranquility. The anchor can also be the symbol of security and in Early Christian art was used as a representation of the Cross. Psychologically we need encouragement to develop the ability to ‘hold fast’ during a period of instability. If we can ride out the storm we shall survive. When an anchor is being dragged during a dream, the external forces are too great for us. When an anchor appears in a dream it usually means the necessity to remain stable in emotional situations.We need to catch hold of a concept or idea which will give us a point of reference in difficult situations. In a man’s dream the anchor can sometimes suggest his sexuality or perhaps his more creative urges. In a woman’s dream it suggests either her nurturing side, intuitive abilities or perhaps the security of relationship, either personal or Cosmic. You might also like to consult the entry for Boat/Ship.
ANDROGEN/ANDROGENY
From the very earliest times the idea of two polarities being able to unite in perfect harmony has been inherent in all spiritual belief. The union of the masculine and feminine principle into one perfect being is a principle presented in various forms in art and literature. The androgen in dreams, at a certain stage of development, can indicate a perfect spiritual balance, a state of autonomy and primordial perfection. We need an understanding of how our emotional selves can balance our personalities. The presence of an androgen in dreams suggests that we need to reconcile opposing thoughts and feelings within ourselves to achieve a balanced progression. If we dream of someone and cannot decide if they are male or female we are making an attempt to reconcile the opposite sides of ourselves. We are searching for completion and wholeness.
In both a woman’s dream and a man’s dream androgeny represents a coming to terms with the dynamic that can be created when we have an understanding of all aspects of our personality. We have, on some level, succeeded in what psychologists term ‘integration’.
ANGEL
Nowadays, with a greater acknowledgement of the appearance of angelic figures, they are once again accepted as messengers of the Gods – heavenly powers and enlightenment. Traditionally perceived as beings of light, their appearance in dreams indicates that we are seeking a spirituality and purity of being that goes beyond the mundane. In almost all religious belief angels stand as intermediaries between us and the Divine. Archangels are a higher order of angels, each with their own responsibilities, and are more likely to appear if you are undertaking esoteric studies. From a psychological perspective the angel is the personification of the relationship with mother or mother figure and needs to be looked at as a separate entity to both her and the dreamer, i.e. as though it were a living, breathing being.
Dreaming of angels indicates we are searching for a parental figure who gives unconditional love and support, or that we need to develop these qualities ourselves. We may be trying to introduce religious concepts into our lives. Angels’ appearance in dreams – for both men and women – suggest that we need to look at concepts that are particularly spiritual in origin. Both angels and archangels are traditionally identifiable by their attributes.
You might also like to consult the information on Spiritual Imagery in the Introduction for further clarification.
ANGER
Throughout history societies have believed that if their gods are displeased they will show their anger. If a dream figure is angry, therefore, we may feel that we are offending our own code of conduct or are suffering Divine displeasure. Often anger is symbolized in dreams by, for instance, a flaming torch or a raging animal. We can give ourselves permission to feel passion or aggression, which could be sexual or otherwise. Often the way we express emotion in dreams can give us information as to appropriate behaviour in everyday life. If someone is angry at you in dreams in an uncharacteristic way you may have offended them without consciously being aware that this has happened. Anger in a dream can often represent other passionate emotions. Aggression (an unprovoked attack) can be perceived as an extreme form of anger. We are struggling with the right to express that which is distressing us. We probably are unable to express emotion appropriately in waking life, but can do so in dreams. Annoyance is a mild form of anger which is a reaction to a perceived threat. It reflects our feeling that we are being denied what is ours by necessity or by right. Consult the entry for Argue/Arguments.
ANIMALS
By understanding animals and their symbolism we approach life in a more simplistic and natural way. In Shamanism, one of the most ancient belief systems, animals are an intrinsic part of the shaman’s (wise man or priest) journey into other realms. They are protective as well as being teachers. When we need some sort of understanding of our own psychological urges, animals will appear in dreams – and sometimes in everyday life – which symbolize those qualities. These are:
Antelope – the antelope represents speed, grace and beauty.
Badger – the badger is both well loved and much maligned. It signifies a hierarchical family structure and, because of its nocturnal habits, the basic wisdom belonging to the underworld.
Bear – the mother appears in dreams in many forms, the bear being one of them. The image may be of the possessive, devouring mother or of the all caring mother. If it is recognized in the dream that the bear is masculine, the image may then be of an overbearing person, or possibly the father. Also consult the entry for Family.
Beaver – as a builder/gatherer the beaver suggests industriousness, preservation and best use of resources.
Bull – usually the bull in a dream denotes the negative side of behaviour, such as destructiveness, fear or anger (for example, a bull in a china shop). However, more positively, the bull is recognized as sexual passion or creative power. Slaying the bull indicates initiation into the world of the mature adult who succeeds in mastering his instincts, and can also represent the sign of Taurus in the Zodiac.
