Dream Dictionary

Where the Box symbolizes what you store and protect, a package suggests something that is ‘wrapped up’ or unexplored. It often appears in connection with the idea of sending or receiving (communication) and carries the idea of protection a little deeper. There are many symbols that can appear when you ‘open’ the package. Transcending the idea of what is unknown, once you open it, the symbol is now making its way into consciousness and should be explored for further details.

The idea of packing reveals what you currently consider to be so important that you need to carry it with you. Often you will ‘forget’ to pack something or experience drama surrounding the actual packing experience as a way of exploring a transition or the idea of letting something go. Representing ‘baggage,’ or what you may need to release as you move forward, this is a classic dream that occurs during transformative periods. Generally packing clothing, you are trying on new 'costumes' or eliminating or exploring the identity as you interact with the world. See Purses, Wallets, Luggage, Jewels and Keys. 

Pain is the first signal of danger when ‘something isn’t right.’ If you are dreaming of being in pain, perhaps you are not recognizing this (emotional) sensation in waking life. If you dream that someone else is in pain, explore the side of you that this person may represent. There is pain involved, although you are not owning up to what it is. To dream of being afraid of something that may be painful, and yet doesn’t really occur, suggests that you are holding back your feelings. Dreams often use intense drama as a way of having an impact on you that makes you explore repression. See Blood.

As a symbol of expression and free flowing creativity, painting can symbolize the need to express all sides of you. If you are painting a wall, explore the color for clues to what you may be blocking. If you are looking at a painting, you are observing aspects of yourself in an objective format. See Colors, and Advertisement.

See Cooking.

See Clothing and Makeup.

See Newspaper and Letter.

The parachute is used as a symbol of safety when you may be questioning your ability to ‘fly’ or ‘land safely.’ See Airplane under Vehicles and Places of Transportation.

The human body is designed with a paralytic feature to keep you from acting out on your dreams. At times, you may awaken 'in between' the stages of full consciousness and sleep. You sense that you are awake but you cannot move. Although it can feel extremely frightening, it is not uncommon, and you are merely not fully conscious or awake. If you actually dream of being paralyzed, the dream is leading you to explore the idea of being stuck. See Crippled and Anatomy and Body Parts.

This is a common symbol appearing in forms other than an insect. It brings forward the idea of the life that ‘grows’ or is nourished by your suffering. The parasite symbolizes how you may be unwittingly doing something self-destructive because it ‘serves you’ in some way. As a symbol of what may be draining your life force, it can represent a lack of fulfillment because you would rather ignore the problem. See Blood. 

See Forest and Amusement Park.

As a place where cars are parked, the parking lot can symbolize a transition in your career as you explore new ways of moving forward. Cars represent motivation and how you are moving forward. When the car is parked, it is either because you are taking time to re-evaluate where you are going or are unaware of issues that are undermining your ability to succeed. Explore the other symbols and colors associated with the parking lot to understand what the dream is suggesting. See  Garage and Vehicles and Places of Transportation.

See Birds.

When you dream of a party, it can represent trying on new attitudes and ways of interacting. People gathering in a social situation that is less formal than a wedding, shows the casual exploration of new sides of yourself and not necessarily actual integration. The more irons that you have in the fire, the more you will have dreams of this type of social interaction. See People and Nightclub.

See Passenger under Vehicles and Places of Transportation.

The path is a classic symbol of transformation. See Forest, Placement and Perspective and also, Landscape and Scenery.

The idea that you have to ‘pay for something’ can signify guilt or retribution. See Buying and Money.

See Birds.

A pen and pencil carry the idea of communication, while the pen can signify words that are not easily ‘erased.’ The pencil may be portraying words that have no commitment behind them. Also see Weapons and Utensils.

All of the characters appearing in your dream represent evolving or transforming aspects of you. Foreigners and aborigines will represent unknown, or organic aspects of you that appear foreign, while still finding expression. Males appearing in a female’s dream will represent her ‘masculine’ aggressive and assertive personality functioning through immediate experience. A female appearing in a male’s dream will represent his intuitive and sensitive side. Kissing these characters will reflect how you are exploring and integrating what they represent. When there is attraction and rejection involved it reveals your desire or inability to ‘adopt these traits.’

Running away from unknown attackers suggests how you can feel ‘pursued’ by non-integrated aspects as you grow and evolve. The times when you are growing the most will be associated with these types of dreams because you are experimenting with ‘new’ ways of interacting with the people around you.

When you look at the dream as a plot where all of the characters are representing you, look beyond the character and ask: what word would I use to describe this person? How might this person be representing a side of myself that I might be failing to understand? People from the past can represent you at that point in life, and family members usually appear in a dream that is helping your to understand how a current crisis was created through your personal dynamics, and how it might be resolved (see Dream Cycles under Dream Processing.

A committee or group of people represent the various sides of you that become, in a sense, the board members of your psyche. They can sit in judgment, as conscience, or negotiate important aspects of your unique needs against the consensus or ‘older members’ of the group in terms of your past Persona.

Famous people take these issues to another level. On the one hand, they represent  icons or display clear characteristics that you are adopting or need to adopt. Comedians can offer a message about the need to ‘lighten up.’ In a situation, you may find that you will achieve more if you can be less serious. The issues surrounding dreams of this type suggest that you are ‘trying on this public identity’ in an effort to gain esteem or approval. Just like any other character however, the word you would use to describe them will shed light on this part of you that you are exploring. Ask yourself: ‘what is this famous person known for’ in order to understand the dream’s message.

To dream of pepper can symbolize the need to ‘spice things up.’ Its association with the Color black (as opposed to salt, which is white) can represent 'spicy behavior' that is also deemed to be 'dirty.'  

Like Makeup, you can hide your naturalness by covering yourself with a mask. Putting on perfume may symbolize covering up feelings to appear more amicable even though something 'doesn't smell right' or is bugging you. When your perfume or smell is the focus of a dream, you are exploring your magnetism or what attracts others to you. Smelling perfume that is sweet symbolizes attraction and a desire to experience beauty. Smell is a powerful memory trigger and the perfume may have associations with past experiences. A perfume bottle is delicate and can represent delicate aspects of femininity. Also see Odor.

See Animals.

When you see a photograph in a dream you are viewing a part of yourself in a very objective way, perhaps seeing something that is associated with the past. You may dream of issues in 'photo' form as the first steps in integrating something painful or difficult, sometimes when a loved on has died. The photo can be a 'static' representation of you in 'freeze frame' for exploration, similar to dreams of Binoculars, Glasses and Microscopes.  

See Doctor and Hospital under Houses and Buildings.

See Music.

See Photograph.

The pig is associated with satisfaction and enjoyment, sometimes at the expense of all else. You can be 'pig-headed' or too busy gathering creature comforts (working) to see how you are missing out the real joys of life. The pig can also suggest a sort of naturalness in being 'dirty' or the free flow of sexual feelings. See Animals.

See Drug.

See Needle and Amulet and Necklace.

A pipe is a channel for water or gases and can signify either emotion or energy flowing through you. To dream of being in a pipe or enclosure of this type can have associations with birth and the idea of re-birth.

The pit can represent being in a situation that is not easy to get out of. Since it is usually a natural formation, some part of your own thinking is trapping you from moving forward. See Quicksand under Landscape and Scenery.

Where you stand and perceive the symbols in your dream suggests where you stand in relationship to what they represent. Ascending or going upward suggests gaining a wider view or taking the steps to expand your awareness, sometimes intuitively or spiritually. To move into a position that places you above or higher than something, portrays your attempt to ‘rise above’ it. Whatever is beside another symbol in a dream suggests some sort of connection between them; while something at the center represents the cause or how it affects you to the core or the root of an issue.

What is behind you represents the past and circumstances that have passed, while it can also mean turning your back on what is important in a way that it stalks or shadows you. What is in front of you often suggests the direction in which you are going, or what you need to face, while something described as being before you, suggests that it may be blocking your movement. Something next to you or near you makes the symbol important, although you have not ‘owned’ or integrated it. A symbol that is associated with being to the right can represent behavior that is correct or acceptable, while the left shows deviation from the norm and a movement toward authenticity.

Descending or going down can represent getting more grounded or returning to your roots. If you see something beneath the water or lower on a hill, it is sometimes indicative of bringing the relevance of this symbol to the surface, like ‘below the belt’ can mean sexual feelings. Seeing something up close, in daylight or under a light brings all that the symbol represents into a high level of focus and suggests that you are conscious of it. Issues that you are not facing will appear as symbolism viewed at night, in the dark, or appearing far away. The low level of light suggests not recognizing its importance and so, it remains ‘out of the reach’ of consciousness. Imagery that is associated with being deep portrays your sense of exploring the deeper aspects of the symbolism, while appearing shallow has the opposite meaning, in the sense of its irrelevance or the need to release it.

The plant is similar to the symbolism of the Garden and Tree. All portray growth and the idea of pruning or the things that you groom, such as children. It has roots and suggests the parts of you that were inherited from your family heritage. When difficult childhood issues are being explored, the plant can symbolize your roots and desire to find your own way, aside from the demands of family.

Just as you can ‘have a lot on your plate,’ the plate can symbolize where your attention is currently focused. Whatever is ‘being served’ can portray how you are currently finding nourishment and how ‘it serves you.’ See Food.

Feeling like you have reached a stable position and exploring new opportunities for growth. See Mountain.

When you dream of faulty plumbing, there is a sense that your emotions have become uncontrollable. If you are inspecting the plumbing, you are trying to understand the roots of your feelings. Broken plumbing personifies how your feelings are seeking release and are a positive symbol of not being able to hold them back. Feelings are what make experience valuable. See Faucet.

You fill your pockets with the things you need and therefore, the pocket can have associations with your values. The pocket can also represent the things you are hiding. Explore the symbolism associated with the pocket for further clues. See Purses, Wallets, Luggage, Jewels and Keys.

Feelings that are painful or difficult situations can be represented by poison. As something that is ingested against your will and potentially harmful, dreaming of poison can signify an unhealthy relationship or situation.

Police dreams occur when one aspect of your evolving identity is challenged by the ‘critic’ or the ‘patrolling’ aspect of the psyche. Sometimes the message is important: slow down. At other times, the police will come to ‘inspect’ the changes you are making, playing those time worn disciplinary tapes. Associated with the ‘inner critic,’ encountering police is often occurring because you may either need to step out of the lines to transform or some aspect of your current behavior is undergoing scrutiny. See Vehicles and Places of Transportation.

Like all bodies of water, the pool has associations with emotions, although in this case it takes on the symbolism of ‘being contained.’ Because it is maintained and kept clean, it can portray a clinical approach to feelings. If the pool is dirty or contains what shouldn’t be there, it can be a message about a situation that is making you feel ‘dirty,’ like the feelings of uncontrollable sexual urges.

See Placement and Perspective.

See Cooking.

Like the Canyon, the precipice represents consciousness as you explore transition or a pathway forward. If it is associated with descending the canyon can also suggest becoming more down to earth, or grounded in your ideals. See Ascending and Descending under Placement and Perspective.

See Prophetic Dreams.

You can be ‘fertile’ for a new way of interacting and understanding yourself. When you become pregnant, your rebirth has begun its gestation. To actually give birth, you are bringing this 'new side' forward. See Unknown Child under Archetypes and Characters. 

See Gift and Package and also, Time under Landscape and Scenery.

For a man, the priest can embody his spiritual nature and the mystery of sexuality. For a woman, the priest can symbolize the authoritative influence of the father. Your interaction with the priest will offer clues to how you are currently approaching your spiritual side. There is usually a sense of reservation associated with the priest.

You may not be aware of the limitations that you are currently facing in daily life. To dream of a prison suggests that you have lost your sense of freedom, although since you are dreaming about it, this may not be obvious to you.

Embodying the many things that you strive for, to dream of the prize can signify whether your aspirations are realistic, attainable and healthy. Explore the symbol that is portrayed as the prize for clues about how you are currently approaching ambition.

The ‘dream cycle’ is a lot like ‘myth cycles.’ In our ancient stories, the hero is ‘tested’ in various ways or in different landscapes in an effort to uncover the truth about both, their identity and destiny. This is exactly the interpretation of why you dream. When a dream is observed to ‘morph’ into different landscapes, you will find yourself describing the dream: ‘it seemed like the same dream, but…’  These dream cycles usually come in three parts and suggest:

a) you as ‘the hero’ and the current challenge that you face
b) the part the past played in creating the current circumstance, and
c) how you might discover the key to both, your real identity and destiny.

The first part describes the conflict at hand, while the second part will portray family members and symbolism from the past, describing how the current crisis was created. The third portion of the dream is often prophetic or when understood, will portray actual information that can be verified by future events.

The third setting (c) usually offers something that appears puzzling or strange. Its ‘newness’ or bizarre imagery often provides the most information about the ‘missing link’ in overcoming conflict or crisis. It will generally make more sense to you when you recognize how dreams have an uncanny way of getting the truth across in the most unusual ways. This third dream setting often provides images that can be observed as synchronistic or describing future events before they happen. Research shows how our unconscious mind knows what is coming before we consciously piece the information together.

The character of the prostitute is trading the ability to experience real intimacy for money. Perhaps you have a sense that you are sacrificing something special for work or material gain.

The idea of ‘paying for sex’ can have two interpretations: Either sex is associated with pain or intimacy is easily traded for insecurity. In either case, being intimate with a prostitute will show how you are currently exploring the real value of intimacy.

Pulling something in a dream can signify unacknowledged burdens. The symbol you are pulling should be explored for further clues to what this is.

 Puncturing something shows an attempt to ‘break through.’ What is being punctured will reveal what this area is.

Being punished in a dream can be the personification and work through of guilt. If you are not aware of how guilt can undermine your sense of self esteem or success, you can dream about punishment as an objective portrayal of how you are punishing yourself by not letting go. See Justice.

Usually a puppet will symbolize a way of being that is not natural. As an aspect of you, the puppet can be the first objective representation of difficult issues that you are not facing. Because it is animated by another, it can signify ‘cutting the strings’ that tie you to them.
 

Purses, Wallets, Luggage, Jewels and Keys can represent the valuable part of your nature, or what you protect and carry with you. They become the subject of many dreams where you are ‘embarking’ or traveling in a new direction, as things that are often lost or left behind. In this way, luggage can suggest baggage that needs to be released during a transformative process.

As the essence of the genetic traits that are bequeathed to your children, protected items, like jewels can represent responsibility or issues related to childbearing. Sometimes, protecting or looking for jewels or treasure can be a classic symbol of the healing that can take place after you discover what you are repressing; usually childhood pain. The purse and wallet portray your sense of self-worth and how protective you are of them will show how you protect who you are against who you might become. Changing careers often coincides with these types of symbols, where losing and searching for them is similar to searching for your new identity. These symbols also appear in dreams during times when you are feeling financially insecure.

     Searching for a key often suggests that you are exploring your relationship to your sexuality. The key can also symbolize your desire to ‘unlock’ the doors that hold you back as you explore direction to find increased meaning in life.

Like Pull, pushing can represent an unacknowledged burden that might be blocking your forward movement. When we pull something, we feel responsible for carrying it with us. When we are forced to push, it shows a blockage. The extra energy required to push shows that something is not flowing easily. Sometimes pushing can be a message about the need for extra effort to succeed in some circumstance. It can focus your attention on what is blocking you.

A cat that would be referred to as a pussycat is a cryptic way of portraying sexuality as in 'letting the cat out of the bag.' See Animals.

Associated with mystery and exotic or bygone cultures, the pyramid can symbolize the search for deeper meaning in life. Its triangular shape can also represent the idea of three or conflicting ideas that require integration. See Numbers.