Common Dream Themes

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WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT YET WE ARE THE SAME

Throughout history people of all races, cultures and religion beliefs have been dreaming versions
of the same dreams. Naturally, the details are different but the basic themes have remained the
same. Variations of these themes appear in almost all dreams illustrating the fact the entire
human race draws from and contributes to the collective unconscious.

Note: Here are just a few of the many common themes, the descriptions that follow are guides to help you understand what your version of any dream theme is trying to convey. These guidelines are short and warrant further investigation by the dreamer to get beyond the superficial interpretation of the dream.

The easier a level is to see, the easier it is to think that is all there is. Don't get caught in the trap of taking a dream literally. If you do not resonate with a description from this or from any source, do not accept it as final truth. Listen honestly to your own intuition.

Here are some questions to consider when working a dream:

What image or images have the most emotional "charge" or energy? Why?

What are your emotions in the dream? What are your emotions upon awakening? What is the action in the dream? What is the setting? What are your personal associations to the images in your dream; how do they make you feel?

Where in your waking life are you feeling these same emotions? Have you felt them in the past? If so, what is the link? Are the actions and emotions in the dream suggesting you emulate the dream action to address a waking life issue or to change your approach to the issue?

It is important to remember that even though archetypal images mean the same to everyone, each individual's personal experience of them is different, making it crucial to use your own associations rather than relying on dream dictionaries or anyone's definition other than your own.

Being Chased

Death in Dreams

Caught Naked

I'm Flying!

BEING CHASED, whether by monsters, animals, or other menacing images suggests you may be feeling threatened in some area of your life. Rather than actual physical survival, they may be telling you your enemy now is anxiety, anger, fear or some such emotion that is making a positive resolution difficult if not impossible. As we confront and embrace these characters, they begin evolving from menacing to acquaintance, to friend, etc., indicating the dreamer is making a true effort to work through a situation or issue. It is also prudent to heed such dreams by exercising caution is waking life in the event there is an element of precognition in the dream.

Another perspective indicates that aspects of your personality you may have denied in the past, are climbing their way up to your conscious mind to be integrated for better clarity and emotional health. By facing and accepting these aspects rather than suppressing them, transforms them from 'liability to asset.'

DEATH OR SYMBOLS OF DEATH indicate profound changes within the dreamer. These transformational changes are often so profound that only the symbol of death is adequate enough to describe the magnitude of the changes taking place. These images are symbolic of the "death" of who the dreamer was or thought he was, clearing the path for a new way of being. These dreams rarely are symbols of physical death.

If a dream figure you know in waking life dies in your dream ask questions such as, "what personality traits does this person have that also exist in me?" "Does the part of me which holds those same traits need to "die" in order for personal growth to take place? An enormous opportunity for self-truth and empowerment is offered here.

CAUGHT NAKED, partially, or even inappropriately dressed in public is a very common dream theme among people of all ages and cultures, including children. It suggests anxiety and stress in the dreamer's life. It reveals feelings of vulnerability, exposure, awkwardness, and lack of protection. Feeling free and unencumbered in this dream theme is possible but highly unusual. As always, examine the setting of the dream and your emotions to help you resolve the issue the dream is addressing.

FLYING IN DREAMS can be an exhilarating experience, often expressing feelings of 'soaring' in some area of waking life. They can also express feeling the need to flee or free yourself from a certain situation, or perhaps the need to see things from a 'higher' perspective. You may experience feelings of liberation, but as in the case of the mythological Icarus it would be wise to ask yourself; am I 'flying too high' or am I overly ambitious in a particular situation? Be sure to note the scenery, the weather and emotions.