Cat – to dream of cats is to link with the feline, sensuous side in human beings, usually in women. Goddesses such as Bast the Egyptian cat goddess are usually represented as having two sides to their natures, one devious and one helpful, so the cat often denotes the capricious side of the feminine. The elegant but also the powerful yet overly self-sufficient aspect of woman, may also be perceived as the cat.
Chameleon – we are recognizing either in ourselves or others the ability to adapt and to change according to surrounding circumstances.
Cow – the eternal feminine, especially the mother or mother figure, is often depicted by the cow. This is partly because it provides milk and nourishment. Also consult the entry for Family.
Deer/Reindeer – the deer and the reindeer herd have a strict hierarchical structure. The deer symbolizes pride and nobility. We recognize our place in the world.
Dinosaurs – see individual entry and also the entry for Monster.
Dog – we may recognize a faithful and constant companion, a protector or, more negatively, somebody we can’t shake off and who might make trouble. Dreaming of a dog we once owned or knew at a previous time in our lives shows that there may be memories associated with that period of our life, which hold clues to present behaviour. A huntress with dogs indicates we are making a connection with one of the feminine archetypes, that of the Amazon. A dog guarding gates or being near a cemetery signifies the guardian of the threshold and creatures that must be put to sleep, tamed or brought under control before there can be an initiation into the secrets of the underworld. You may also wish to consult the individual entry for Dog.
Elephant – to see an elephant in a dream is to recognize the qualities of patience, long memory, strength and fidelity. In the more esoteric sense it signifies radiant and glowing wisdom.
Fox – a fox in a dream tells of hypocrisy, cunning and slyness.We should be aware of someone around us whom we do not particularly trust.
Frog – because a frog transforms (from a tadpole and moves on to the land), one appearing in a dream indicates a period or act of transformation. There is something unpleasant which eventually transmutes into a desirable asset (e.g. a frog into a prince). Consult the entry for Reptiles in this section for further clarification.
Goat – to dream of a goat is to recognize creative energy and masculine vitality. It may also represent the dark side of human nature, promiscuousness and sexuality. To be riding a goat is to be trying to come to terms with our relationship with the dark side of our nature. The goat may also represent the Devil or Satan, as seen in old woodcut images. It is also the symbol for the astrological sign of Capricorn.
Gorilla – in being so similar to the human being, gorillas have represented the more frightening aspects of mankind. As time passes, we recognize familiar aspects of a somewhat undeveloped personality coupled with a strong sense of family.
Hare – the hare highlights intuition, spiritual insight and intuitive ‘leaps’. Intuition may be debased into ‘madness’ or capriciousness by fear or ignorance. Because of its association with the moon, the hare can, in its negative aspect, signify the Priestess/Witch aspect of femininity or the Priest/Sorcerer of the masculine. In its positive imagery, however, it is the radiant hare (often holding its baby in a cave) and thus the Mother of God. Also consult the information on Archetypes in the Introduction.
Hedgehog – the hedgehog can represent nastiness and bad manners, or quite literally our inability to handle a prickly situation.
Horse – the horse in a dream represents the energy at our disposal. A white horse depicts our spiritual awareness, a brown one the more pragmatic and down-to-earth side, while a black horse is the passionate side of our nature. A pale horse has the same symbolism as the figure of Death with this scythe. A winged horse depicts the soul’s ability to transcend the earthly plane and, therefore, pass through the astral planes. If the horse is under strain or dying there is a severe weakening of the dynamic power that carries us forward.Too much pressure may be being experienced in our lives. If the horse is being harnessed to a cart we may be concentrating too hard on thoroughly utilitarian objectives. In a man’s dream a mare will denote the Anima, a woman, or the realm of the feminine. In a woman’s dream, being kicked by a horse may indicate the Animus or her relationship with a man. A horse that can get through any door and batter down all obstacles is the collective Shadow – those aspects of the personality that most people attempt to suppress. The horse as a beast of burden is often the Great Mother or mother archetype. Even though the horse has been superceded in waking life by the car, it still has huge significance in dreams. Also consult the entry for Car as well as the information on Archetypes in the Introduction.
Hyena – the hyena is generally taken in dreams to signify impurity, instability and deviousness.
Jackal – esoterically the jackal assists in allowing us to access past lives and the astral planes. The jackal-headed Egyptian god Anubis weighed the souls of the departed in the Judgement Hall. It is this that gives the jackal its quality of scavenger.
Jaguar – the jaguar’s main qualities are its speed and balance. It stands for the balance of power between the dark and light forces.
Kangaroo – this animal often symbolizes nurturing, caring and motherhood. It also represents innate strength. Lamb – the lamb is the innocent side of man’s nature. It is said that evil cannot withstand such innocence.
Leopard – the leopard represents cruelty and aggression and traditionally the deviousness of wrongly used power.
Lion – the lion stands for majesty, strength and courage. It can also represent the ego and the passions associated with it. If we are struggling with the lion there should be a successful development as long as we are not overpowered, or the lion killed. A man-eating lion shows that an aspect of our personality has slipped out of alignment, putting both us and our surroundings at risk. A lion lying with a lamb shows there is a union, or compatibility of opposites; instinct and spirit going hand in hand.
Lizard – the lizard appearing in a dream represents instinctive action or ‘onetrack’ thinking. Also consult the entry for Reptiles in this section.
Lynx– the main quality associated with the lynx is its keen eyesight, thus in a dream it can often portray objectivity.
Monkey – the monkey characterizes the infantile, childish and arrested side of our character. The qualities of mischief, impudence and inquisitiveness all belong to the monkey. While these are often seen as regressive tendencies, this quality of lively curiosity maintains a necessary lightness of spirit.
Mare – consult the entry for Horse in this section.
Mole – the mole is often taken to represent the powers of darkness, but can often signify the blind persistence and determination that enables us to succeed.
Mouse – the mouse’s quality of timidity can often be addressed in the dreamer, if it is recognized that this can arise from turbulence and lack of understanding. Also consult the entry for Vermin in this section.
Otter – the otter is uniquely equipped to exist within its chosen element of water and to be able to gain subsistence from its surroundings, all things we may need to develop.
Ox – the ox depicts the ability to be patient and to make sacrifices for others.
Panther – the panther is a strong symbol for feminine energy, particularly in its freedom-loving aspect. It also signifies regenerative power: death and rebirth.
Pig – the pig is taken in Western belief to indicate ignorance, stupidity, selfishness and gluttony. We may be beginning to recognize these unattractive qualities in ourselves; without such recognition there can be no transformation or mastery of them. Ultimately, however, it is the qualities of intelligence and cunning that prevail. If we dream of pigs and jewels together it shows there is a conflict between the lower, basic urges and higher spiritual values. Perhaps there is a failure to appreciate spiritual values. Big litters of piglets can represent fruitfulness, although sometimes without result, since the sow can depict the Destructive Mother. Consult the information on Archetypes in the Introduction for further clarification.
Rabbit – rabbits appearing in a dream can mean one of two things: the obvious connection with fertility could be important, or it could be that the Trickster aspect is coming to the fore. A white rabbit may show us the way to the inner spiritual world and, as such, act as a guide. Also consult the entry for Hare in this section.
Ram – the ram is a symbol of masculine virility and power and, by association, has those qualities of the sign of Aries in the Zodiac.
Rat – the rat signifies a tainted or devious part of our personality or a situation we are in. It can also represent something that is repulsive in some way.We may also be experiencing disloyalty from a friend or colleague. Also consult the entry for Vermin in this section.
Reptiles – to dream of reptiles indicates that we are looking at the more frightening lower aspects of the personality. The unfeeling, inhuman aspect of the instincts, usually recognized as being destructive and alien, is often portrayed by reptiles and other cold-blooded animals. We may have no control over these instincts, and could, therefore, be easily ‘devoured’ by them.We learn to understand deceitful behaviour. Though we are afraid of Death or the death process, we recognize that we must go through a process of change in order to be reborn.
Seal – the seal is most beautiful in its own element of water, thus to dream of one shows that we are at one with our own domain. We are capable of progressing through our emotions.
Serpent – the serpent is a universal symbol which can be male or female, or it can be self-created. It can signify death or destruction or conversely life and also rejuvenation. It is the instinctive nature and equally is also potential energy. When the power of the instinctive nature is understood and harnessed we come to terms with our own sexuality and sensuality and are able to make use of the higher and more spiritual energies that become available. In a man’s dream a serpent or snake may appear if he has not understood the feminine or intuitive part of himself, or when he doubts his own masculinity. In a woman’s dream the serpent may manifest if she is afraid of sex, or sometimes of her own ability to seduce others. Because of its connection with the Garden of Eden, the serpent is the symbol of duplicity and trickery and also of temptation. Also consult the entry for Snake in this section.
Sheep – the sheep is renowned for its flock instinct and it is this interpretation that is most usually accepted in dreams. The helplessness of the sheep when off balance is also another aspect that is recognizable, as is the apparent lack of intelligence. The god-fearing, ‘good sheep’ and also the passive and ‘sheepish’ may have relevance within the context of the dream.To dream of sheep and wolves or of sheep and goats is to register the conflict between good and evil.
Sinister Animals – to find any animal threatening in a dream indicates the fears and doubts we have over our ability to cope with the stirrings of the unconscious. Such dreams are relatively common when starting out on personal spiritual development.
Snake – in common with serpent dreams, snake dreams occur when we are attempting to come to terms with our more instinctive self. Inevitably this has to do with the recognition and harnessing of energies that have been suppressed and thwarted. Since the most primeval urge is sexuality, the image of the snake is the most primitive one available. Because snakes are such a low form of life, while also being in some cases poisonous, they have become associated with death and all that man fears. A snake twined around the body or limb indicates some form of bondage, possibly being enslaved to the passions. A snake, or worm, leaving a corpse by its mouth sometimes represents the sexual act (the little death), but can also signify our control of our libido. A snake in the grass image denotes disloyalty, trickery and evil. The image of a snake with its tail in its mouth is one of the oldest available to man and signifies completion and the union of the spiritual and physical. Being swallowed by a snake shows the need and ability to return to the ultimate and lose our sense of space and time. Dreaming of a snake twined around a staff or similar suggests that the unconscious forces that drive us are being released to create healing, rebirth and renewal. The colours of the snake may give additional insight into the meaning of the dream. Also consult the individual entries for Caduceus, Colour,
Eating and Shapes/Patterns, as well as Serpent in this section
Squirrel – the squirrel represents the hoarding, acquisitive aspect of our personalities.
Tiger – the tiger signifies royalty, dignity and power and is both a creator and a destroyer.
Toad – dreaming of toads connects us with whatever we may consider ugly in life, or in our behaviour. However, implicit in that ugliness is the power of transformation and growth into something beautiful. For a toad and an eagle to appear is to note the difference between earthly and spiritual values. Consult the entry for Reptiles in this section for further clarification.
Unicorn – as a symbol of purity the unicorn traditionally could only be owned and perceived by virgins. It is a return to, and a resurgence of, an innocence necessary in self-understanding and it often suggests the control of the ego and selfishness.
Vermin – in dreams, vermin represent the enforced contemplation of something that is unpleasant and unnecessary or that has invaded our personal space.
Whale – as a mammal that lives within water, the whale symbolizes the power of resurrection and rebirth – man’s ability to surpass personal trauma.
Weasel – the weasel traditionally highlights the devious, less than honest side of ourselves.
Werewolf – See Sinister Animals and Transformation of Animals in this section.
Wild animals – usually wild animals stand for danger, dangerous passions or dangerous people. There is a destructive force arising from the unconscious, threatening our safety. Such a dream may be a way of helping us understand and highlight particular anxieties. Dreaming of domesticating wild animals shows that we may have come to terms with our wilder, more unrestrained side.
Wild Boar – the wild boar depicts the archetypal masculine principal, and often the negative masculine in a woman’s dream. We may be evading an issue that should be challenged and dealt with more daringly. You may wish to consult the individual entry for Boar and also for Pig in this section.
Wolf – dreaming of wolves may indicate that we are feeling or being threatened. This may be by a single predatory individual or by a pack of like minded people. The she-wolf can be taken to represent the hussy, the unrestrained feminine, but also the carer for orphans and rejected young.
Zebra – this animal has much the same significance as the horse, but with the additional meaning of balancing the negative and the positive in a very dynamic way. When animals appear in a dream they tend to represent an aspect of the personality that cannot be properly understood except on an instinctive level. Below are some common images that occur in dreams.
Animal with a cub – this represents motherly qualities and, therefore, the mothering instinct.
Baby animals – the childlike side of our personality, or possibly children known to us, can give us information about innocence and naivety.
Composite animals – to dream of composite animals could indicate some confusion in sorting out what qualities we need to use in waking life. The qualities of the various animals need to be assimilated and integrated in order to progress; there are two potentials of further development. If a half-animal, half-human is seen it shows that the dreamer’s basic instincts are beginning to be recognized and humanized.
Deformed animals – the dreamer realizes that some of his impulses are out of kilter.
Domesticated (tame) animals – when we dream of domesticated animals we are aware of those parts of ourselves with which we have already come to terms. There are passions which are being used in a controlled way, although there is the suggestion that those passions were never very formidable.
Eating the animal – such an image is often about the ‘demons’ we create which can only be overcome by assimilating them in a constructive way. Shamanic societies believe that one takes on certain aspects of the animal that are superior – in certain respects – to ordinary human attitudes.
Godlike, talking, awe-inspiring or wise animals, or those with human characteristics – animal wisdom is simple and uncomplicated and, therefore, is innocent. In dreams and myths we personalize this quality. It is always important to pay attention to this aspect of animal life in fairy tales and dreams, since we need to be in touch with that part of ourselves.
Helpful animals – the figures of animals are an easy way for us to accept the help the subconscious and spiritual realms can offer. Your totem animal is traditionally your ‘guide’ through the unconscious realms.
Hurt young animals – we are perceiving a difficulty in behaving maturely or confronting issues in waking life.
Killing the animal – this is symbolic of destroying the energy derived from the instincts. It is trying to eradicate the very raw power of basic behaviour. Taming or harnessing the animal shows the efforts made to control our instincts and, if possible, make them productive and useful.
Parts of animals (the limbs, eyes, mouth, etc) – these all have the same significance as parts of the human body. If the four legs are particularly emphasized – possibly in contrast with a three-legged animal – the whole rounded personality with all four functions of the mind fully developed is being highlighted. You may also like to consult the entry for Body for further clarification.
Transformation of animals – in dreams, the metamorphosis of the dreamer or other people into animals and vice versa shows the potential for change within any situation. Coincidentally, magical techniques allow ‘shapeshifting’, permitting magicians and shamans to adopt animal form, and dreams give us an understanding of that process.
Trapped by animals – to dream of trying to find some refuge from animals, whether by building defences or perhaps by running away, is indicative of our struggle with our animal instincts and whether the action being taken is adequate. Such instincts may be threatening or damaging to aspects of our life.
Vertebrates – just as the human skeleton gives us an understanding of the ‘structure’ of our lives, animals with backbones often give an understanding of the organizational qualities associated with that animal. The smaller and lower orders of animal (such as rodents) signify the unconscious, the higher orders the emotions.
Wounded and/or trapped animals – this suggests that we have been wounded, either emotionally or spiritually, or perhaps that our natural instincts are not being allowed free expression and are, therefore, not functioning properly.
ANKH
The ankh is a key to the way to knowledge of hidden wisdom. Traditionally it is also a symbol for life and for the universe. As you progress in spiritual knowledge, dreams bring hidden information to the surface and the ankh in dreams often signifies a new level of awareness. The symbolism of the ankh is that of all-encircling power and protection throughout the trials and tribulations of physical life. It is the link between the human and Divine and for many is a magical symbol signifying initiation into such mysteries. On a mundane level the symbolism is similar to that of a cross. It represents the dreamer’s concept of the universe, or his religious beliefs. Formed as it is from the symbols of Egyptian deities Isis and Osiris – and, therefore, representing the generative principle – in a man’s dream the ankh can suggest the power of resurrection, whereas in a woman’s dream it is more likely to suggest the power of life.
You might also like to consult the entry for Cross in Shapes/Patterns and Spiritual
ANTLERS
Supernatural powers, fertility and nobleness of spirit are represented by antlers. An attribute of the primeval Horned God and his lust for life, they suggest power over nature. Psychologically these represent awareness of the potential for conflict between our nobler self and the baser instincts. The antler with ten points is the mark of the shaman or holy man.
The deer is a noble animal, so the interpretation differs if the antlers are mounted, as in a trophy, or are seen on the animal. If the latter, then the interpretation is that of something that is supernormal and they may represent intellectual powers. If the former, then they may be interpreted as attempting to achieve high status. Antlers in dreams may always be considered to represent virility and sexual prowess, whether in a man’s or woman’s dream.
ANVIL
The anvil is an attribute of the forge Gods such as Thor, Vulcan and Hephaestos. The symbolism is that of forging new life, creating new beginnings and so on, so signifies creativity in its rawest sense. As an image associated with the spark of life and of initiation, the anvil was once a very potent symbol. As time progresses, other objects, more pertinent to the times in which we live, appear in dreams, but the anvil will still appear as we return to basics.
Depending on the dream circumstances, the anvil can represent the basic force of nature, brute force or a way of creating an initial spark. By creating a situation in our lives where we are going to be tried and tested, we are pitting ourselves against natural forces. In both male and female dreams the anvil can be seen as a form of resistance which allows us to use our individual creativity to fashion our lives.
APE
As science discovers just how closely associated we are to the ape, it is hardly surprising that over the centuries this creature has had projected upon it aspects of our own character that we find difficult to handle. The ape in dreams, therefore, can suggest the Trickster, the mischievous side of wrongdoing, and irresponsibility. However, in Hindu belief the character of Hanuman the Monkey God teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us.
One of the qualities of the ape is its ability to mimic, to copy and to learn by experience. To dream of apes may alert us to this ability, or for the need for us to learn by example.
Traditionally, to dream of apes or monkeys links with the mischievous side of ourselves. However, as perception changes, the symbolism is more of natural intelligence. Also consult the entry for Monkey in Animals for further information.
APOCALYPSE
The end of the world as we know it is such a potent image that it is part and parcel of almost every religion’s belief system. In dreams the apocalypse (literally ‘the lifting of the veil’) is often the revelation of hidden meaning. It has much to do with our fears, with the survival of the fittest and a reshuffling of those aspects of life that are important to us. In such dreams it will be your beliefs and your faith that is the saving grace. Usually there is a particular symbol associated with your own basic belief which separates you from others in the dream. Apocalyptic dreams tend to be more prevalent at times of great change, either personal or otherwise. You may need to protect yourself from others and hold fast to an inner conviction in order to overcome opposition. The sense of knowing something or having information that no-one else does is a feature of dreams of the apocalypse. Dreaming of an apocalypse is quite simply marking a transition period, moving away from a former course of action or way of being. Instinctively you may feel that the risks you must take are too great, or that you can only effect change by a massive shift in circumstances. You may wish to read the entries for Atom Bomb, Disaster and Nuclear Explosion
APOLOGY
Spiritually an apology is an act of self-justification – an understanding of rightness – and it is this meaning that comes across first of all in dreams of such an act. To dream that we apologize to someone means we acknowledge a lack of integrity in ourselves. To receive an apology suggests a recognition of that same integrity. It is important that we feel good about ourselves and, as dreams are a way of righting an imbalance, we have a mechanism through apology to put right an act or deed, either our own or others’, which has upset us. If we dream about giving or receiving an apology we are aware of having offended our own personal code in everyday life and can work out what we need to do to restore the status quo.
