Dreams & Symbols

Introduction

Dreams belong to the mysterious, intangible but incredibly enticing realm of fascination. Everyone dreams but not everyone can remember them, and they've been a subject of much interest, speculation and interpretation since the beginning of time. Dreams can be classified as ordinary, predictive, lucid, telepathic or nightmare. They can also be repetitive, and some would argue, caused by different foods. The fact is that no one knows for sure why we have them or what they mean, but when a predictive dream is proven, or an ordinary dream helps to assimilate a life situation, it cannot be argued that they are meaningful and sometimes life-changing.

The following is a short list of symbols, to which more symbols will be added on an ongoing basis - keep checking!

Please feel free to send in your dreams for interpretation, but keep in mind that due to the large volume of letters received, they cannot all be answered.

Anchor

The meaning of an anchor as a symbol is pretty much the same worldwide. It's an indication of stability, safety and perhaps resolution. To dream of an anchor shows hope and salvation, like a lifeline, particularly if the seas of your emotional world have become turbulent. It also signifies a brake if life gets too rough or if things are running out of control. The anchor is generally a symbol of protection and safety, and its significance goes back to ancient times. As a glyph, it contains the cross, which represents matter in a very basic sense, and a circle, which represents the spirit, and a crescent, representing the soul. Indeed, the glyphs of all the traditional planets in astrology are comprised of these same three components: the cross, crescent and circle. The anchor is rich in meaning, much more than can be comprehended intellectually.

Rainbow

Ever wondered about what a rainbow means when you see one? You've probably heard somewhere that it represented a covenant made by God after the great flood as reconciliation. It was a sign from heaven to earth, and more commonly, the rainbow represents a bridge between above and below. It's a connection between the natural and supernatural worlds. It's a means by which a message can be taken from one to the other, either direction, so when you see a rainbow, say a little prayer, and maybe, just maybe, you'll get the kind of celestial understanding needed to answer your own prayer - that's what's in the pot of gold, the kind that resides in your heart; it's worth more than anything else in the world.

Running

Running is one of the more common dream themes, and as ever the context is as important to the interpretation as the subject itself. If you're running in a race, or running in order to catch up, or to reach something, it shows an inner desire or willingness to compete or to fight in order to achieve an objective. It's a positive indication of giving your best effort. If you're running away from something or being chased, it's a different story. Running away is more to do with fears, whether they are consciously valid or not. This kind of a dream often repeats itself in varying set ups, and they carry powerful messages that enable you to transform your life, though you have to work with it. It's worthwhile trying to stop yourself running away and turning around to look squarely at what's threatening you in the dream. This takes practice, sometimes years of it, but it's one way to overcome fears.

Wings

The symbol of wings carries a subtle but powerful message. Wings are the means by which something is lifted, and is therefore a symbol of liberation and ascent, being carried from one place to another, usually from earth to heaven. It's a sign of divine grace & a blessing. As ever, the context is significant; the repeated theme of wings in the film Castaway with Tom Hanks is one that could have been overlooked but each time the wings appeared, there was a feeling of hope and aspiration. And to 'wing it' or to come in on a 'wing and a prayer' indicates a kind of faith and hope in the benevolent nature of the universe.

To have one's wings clipped is a sign of being brought down from a place of arrogance & being too high up, a bit like the way Icarus flew too close to the sun despite warnings, although his wings melted off. Winged creatures can be a frightening image, but nevertheless, still have the ability to fly. Wings are also a sign of protection, as to be taken under one's wings. Being in such a position of strength where you are capable of looking after others is a status that must be earned. Once you have waded in the dregs of the earth, you're eventually and hopefully able to rise above a situation, transcend. Winged feet, as with the mythological God Hermes or Mercury, had the ability to carry messages from one place to another - a kind of comprehension, and therefore, wings are also a symbol of understanding - a right to be earned through spiritual awareness and aspiration towards awareness.