Dream Dictionary

hile the meaning of dreams is very often hidden, it is important to remember that it can also be literal. If you dream, for example, of someone getting into your house through an open window, check that all your windows are shut or locked.

Note how you feel on waking from a dream. Positive or negative, tense or relaxed? This will help give you a clue to its meaning.

The language of dreams is very colourful and a dream may use puns and colloquialisms to get its message across. These may have a particular meaning for you and it is important to remember that this is something that applies to dreams generally. The following meanings are intended only as a guide and not as a substitute for your own personal vocabulary.

We will be adding to the dictionary month by month. To start with, we will look at some meanings of colours and water in dreams.

Colours

If you find yourself dreaming in dark or drab colours, then it could reflect your state of mind.

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Water

In dreams water usually symbolises the feelings or emotions. It is important to notice whether it is free-flowing or stagnant, clean or dirty, as this can give you a clue to how you are feeling.

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Falling

This is one of the commonest of dreams. Falling in a dream is often associated with fear, anxiety or insecurity, but not always. In the first instance, check the dream out literally, particularly if you dream of falling down the stairs or off the balcony outside your window: the stair carpet may be loose, or the guard rail wonky.

However the fall is just as likely to be metaphorical, for example, in the sense of a ‘fall from grace’. If it takes place at work, this could indicate that you feel insecure about your position, perhaps because of competition from someone else, or because you’re not pulling your weight and fear the consequences.

Do you make a soft or a hard landing? If you come to no harm in the dream, it may be a sign that what you fear does not come to pass, or may not turn out as bad as you think.

Family and Friends

Usually when a member of your family appears in a dream, it is as themselves. How is it between you? Compare how you get on in the dream with how you get on in real life, or got on as children. If you relate well to each other in the dream, but perhaps had a difficult relationship when you were younger, it could mean that healing has taken place and you can put the past behind you.

It may be that they’ve appeared to tell you something; if so, pay particular attention to the message, which could be in actual words or in the circumstances in which they’re portrayed. Are they happy or sad? Full of life or despondent? The message could be for you, or about themselves.

Friends may also appear as themselves, for the same reasons. In addition, the dream may tell you something about them that you may not have consciously noticed, bringing it to your attention, particularly if you haven’t known them long. Friends in dreams may also represent particular qualities that you may or may not possess. This could be a sign that you will develop them, perhaps through your association with the other person.

With both family and friends, if someone appears in a dream that you haven’t seen in some time, it may be a hint to get in touch or a sign that your paths will cross again soon.

Flying

Flying dreams are quite common and often signify a desire to ‘rise above’ your everyday life, to escape the commonplace. They can also signify you’re going on a journey, which could be in the spiritual as well as in the literal sense. It’s important to note who’s at the controls – is it yourself or someone else? Also do you land and if so where and how? If you make a safe landing and are greeted by someone you know, for instance, it could be a sign that you’re contemplating making a major move in your life and it will work out all right. Note, too, in what direction you’re flying: are you flying to or away from somewhere? Is it more important to get away than to arrive?

Flying dreams are also linked with ambition, so it’s also important to note how high you fly. Do you reach the altitude you’re aiming for? If not, it may be a sign that you’re ‘flying too high’. If the height you’re flying at is not an issue, then it probably means you’ll attain your goal without too much difficulty.

As with all dreams, the personal associations that you make and how you feel about the dream in general will help you to unravel the meaning.