My Inner World : Dreams : Dream Symbolism

Listed below are some dream symbols and their meaning. These are just suggestions. You may have different meanings for dream symbols that are true for you and just as valid.

Cave; symbol of the prenatal state, female protection, shelter, the womb of Mother Earth, place where heaven and earth meet, union of spirit and matter, place of hidden treasure and inner esoteric wisdom.

Clouds / puffy and white; Spiritual upliftment, or ungrounded as in head in the clouds.

Clouds / dark, rain; obstacles, imminent release of heavy emotions and feelings, learning lessons.

Desert/ Wilderness; Feeling deserted, isolated or lost, the dry intellect, barren wasteland but also quiet, contemplation, wandering, the nomad, many choices and spiritual revelation.

Fire; passion, sexuality, anger, purification, transformation, protection, creative and divine inspiration

Floods; Overflow of the emotional, primordial contents of our unconscious, "Open the floodgates"; an overflow of anger, fear, pain, hurt and the like, often clearing the way for all the love, joy, faith, kindness, compassion and hope that we have damned up within us.

Forest; realm of the unconscious, the hidden, unknown, the self that you do not reveal outwardly, a place of magic, adventure, enchantment, contemplation and exploration.

Lake; female principle, cleansing, purification, peaceful

Again it is important to look at the lake and notice the details. Is the lake calm and clear or muddy and turbulent.

Leaves; the new and still growing parts of ourselves, our aspirations and the gifts we bring to the world.

Lightning; Illumination of the spirit, Enlightenment, the shocking truth, a sudden revelation, to be struck by lightening is to be initiated to higher consciousness.

Moon; The feminine principle, the Mother, feelings, emotions, the subconscious, cycles of change, female reproduction and the menstrual cycle, romance, fertility, nurturing issues.

Full Moon; Brings things out, intensifies the above, make visible.

Waxing Moon; Virgin, maiden, first menses, fresh new outlook, new possibilities.

Waning Moon; Finishing up, inner transformation, completion.

Mountains; Aspirations, challenges, reaching upward to a more expansive awareness, stability, solidity.

Ocean; depending on how the Ocean looks or feels in your dream is important. If it is turbulent it can mean that you are experiencing powerful emotions and feelings. You may feel out of control. It can also mean mystery, mystical depths of the soul and the unconscious, that which remains hidden, possibly forbidden, and the enormous power and potential that lie within.

Rain; Depending on the dream setting, washing away something, sadness or a release of feelings, tears/raindrops that make the ground fertile for new growth.

River; The flow of life and destiny, crossing the river can mean a change, an initiation or right of passage. The mouth of the river can be a gateway to a new experience. If you are standing on the banks, you may be letting life pass you by, or taking an objective viewpoint of your life. Or you may be trying to regroup after an emotional experience. If you are floating down the river you are allowing yourself to go with the flow. If you are steering yourself down a river you are most likely making conscious navigations and decisions to reach a specific goal. If you are pushing up the river, you have tremendous drive and are going for something that may seem "against all odds".

Rocks; hard, complicated, earthy, solid, turbulent, indestructible, durability, cold and unfeeling.

Stars; Guidance, aspirations, direction, destiny, hopes and wishes, spark of divine truth, infatuation as in: He/She has "stars in his/her eyes." Celebrity and dizziness; as in "seeing stars"

Sun; The Sun can mean many things. If it is sunny in your dream it can mean that things are going well and there is happiness. The Sun often signifies, the conscious self, the Male principle, positive feelings, energy and creativity.

Sunrise; New beginnings, spiritual or physical birth, the rise of potential and new possibilities.

Sunset; going inward, maturation, something coming to a conclusion.

Thunderstorm; Warning of an outburst of strong repressed emotions, anger, the impregnating Male Principle, the assets of the warrior.

Tornado; Hurricane, or Cyclone- An obsession, being haunted by feelings, emotions, thoughts and desires that seem uncontrollable.

Trees; family, life energy, growth, potential.

Trunk; growth, time, age.

Branches; the many facets of our personality, talents, aspirations and/or members of a family tree

Roots of the tree; support, foundation, family, if the roots are shallow it may mean ther is some instability.

Waterfall; Electromagnetic energy that provides power, healing and sustenance, a forceful expression and release of emotions.

Well; a reservoir of inner feelings, depth, you may want to notice what the water looks like. If it is unmoving or stagnant, it can suggest that your emotions are stuck and have not been expressed.