This is our last lesson in Dream Interpretation. . This last lesson covers more extensively animals in our dreams. Animals are particularly powerful dream symbols, and usually carry a universal meaning although they can also be specific to the dreamer. Animals have always signified our natural, instinctive and sometimes baser energies and desires. The animals in our dreams may be frightening or friendly, wild or tame, and actions can be important clues for interpretation. They could speak, or even change forms. In Native American tradition the shaman (spiritual magus) seeks a powerful animal in dreams, which will then act as a wisdom guide during the shaman's journeys to other worlds. They could also represent people (sly as a fox, slippery as an eel, and strong as an ox).
Divination Class
Lesson Seventeen
Dream Interpretation
A dog could represent devotion, or it could stand for the destructive forces of misused or neglected instincts. Cats are among the most common dream animals, and often stand for intuitive female wisdom and the imaginative power of the unconscious.
Butterflies have often been used to symbolize the soul and it transformation after death. (Look at masterpieces of Renaissance art.)
The horse usually means mankind's harnessing of the wild forces of nature, while a winged or flying horse can represent the unleashing of energy for psychological or spiritual growth.
The lion almost always appears in dreams as a regal symbol of power and pride and often represents the archetypal, powerful and admired aspect of the father.
Fish have commonly been used to symbolize divinity (see Renaissance paintings), and often stand for the spiritual abundance that feeds all men and women. In dreams they can also indicate insights into the unconscious. Fish caught in a net and brought to the surface represents the coming out of the insights into the full light of consciousness.
Birds, in most cultures, symbolize the higher self, although small birds that stay close to the earth represent more accessible instinctive wisdom. The dove often stands for peace and reconciliation.
Monkeys often means playfulness. The mischievous side of the dreamer, and may mean immature yet instinctively wise aspects of the dreamer. In the East, the monkey could also symbolize the untamed, chattering mind that needs to be stilled by meditation.
The early Christians considered bats, birds of the devil because of their association with darkness and their similarity to rats. Because bats are thought to be of the 'vampire' nature, to dream of a bat may indicate you have feelings that someone is depleting your self-confidence. Mystical meaning, because they are loathed creatures (not by me), and are a sign of disaster. They are thought of as omens of injury or death. Because of their blindness, bats are also considered prophecies warning of danger to the eyes. Fortunately superstition also has an antidote for these dreams, carry a bat bone in your pocket and you'll come to no harm.
Cows nurture, and they are used in dreams to symbolize the mother. Perhaps you are nurturing some new ideas or part of yourself. They can also mean an easygoing attitude. Your dream may be telling you to stop rushing around and to start taking your time. Cows also suggest the qualities of dignity, strength, and passive endurance.
Dolphins that leap in and out of the sea may represent communication between the unconscious and the conscious.
The dragon sometimes guards the entrance to a cave full of treasure. It symbolizes the fears you must overcome before realizing the true self. Sometimes the dragon can indicate a guardian of the spirit. Dragons have a close association with fire, therefore passion.
Elephants can symbolize inner strength and wisdom. They may also indicate memory. Jung believed they represented the self. The defensive nature of an elephant my represent an introverted nature.
The lamb may represent the part of you that is pure and innocent. It is the real you, unsullied by the troubles of this world.
Mice can mean your instincts. They may also be a symbol of timidity.
The owl may symbolize the wisdom that is gained from the nocturnal world of the unconscious.
The pig may symbolize ignorance, stubbornness, greed, or just plain bad manners. Could be someone you know is acting like a "chauvinistic" pig. Of course this dream has nothing to do with the kind police officers.
The snake is one of the oldest of the world's symbols, found in some to the ancient sculptures. Because it is close to the ground, the snake is an emblem of the nurturing earth. Christian imagery emphasizes the dark side of the symbol. It is considered evil, yet it is the snake, created by God, which tempts man to gain knowledge. In dreams, snakes can represent hidden fears. Falling into a pit of snakes may represent the many worries that threaten you. Sometimes snakes can symbolize the poisonous words of innuendo of the people around you. Mystical meaning, the entwined snakes appear on the god Mercury's caduceus, which is the symbol of the medical profession to this day! The Greeks attributed healing powers to the snake. Similar symbolism may be found in Indian Kundalini yoga, where it represents the life force that rises up the spinal chord. In particular, the cobra is a symbol of divine enlightenment and is associated with the god Shiva. Seems only the Christians had a problem with snakes.
A spider may indicate a fear. Perhaps you feel trapped in a web of deceit or entangled by emotions and fears from which you cannot escape. Or are you the spider that is spinning a web to catch someone? Mystical meaning, arachnophobia may be an instinctive fear that originates from primordial times when poisonous spiders were more common. (Collective unconsciousness) Your dream draws upon these ancient memories that is upsetting you. Superstitions dating back to the Middle Ages claim that it is lucky to dream of spiders.
A swan is a beautiful, elegant, and calm bird. Your dream may be saying that the right way to behave is with dignity and grace.
In mythology, unicorns are either white or multi-colored. They unite the spectrum, showing that the one is the essence of the many. They are he mythical embodiment of the inner realm of the imagination. They may also represent power, gentility, and purity. Your dream may be an expression of inspiration and wonder at the marvels of the inner world.
Vultures are horrible creatures who live off the misfortune of other animals (they eat the dead). Some people are this. Are you? Or perhaps someone is taking advantage of you.
Wolves are usually seen as something threatening that attacks during the night, when you are most vulnerable. In dreams they can indicate everything you are afraid of in yourself, including self-destructive tendencies. The Celtic give the wolf better press, it is your instinctive nature, your "familiar" that guides you through the forest of the night.
Quiz:
True or False

1. Animals in dreams could represent emotions, or people.
2. A dog is a sign of devotion.
3. Cats indicate sneakiness.
4. The lion is a regal symbol.
5. Bats are bad to dream about.
6. Cows indicate qualities of laziness.
7. Elephants can symbolize inner strength.
8. Snakes can be an emblem of the nurturing earth.
9. Spiders have something to do with our 'collective unconsciousness'. 10. Vultures could indicate someone is taking advantage of you.
Send your lesson through my crystal ball, include your name, house, class, and to which lesson you are sending, thanks!
The cards will take you back to the Divination homepage, and back to the North Tower of Hogwarts.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1