What Do Your Dreams Mean?

I have always been fascinated by the world of dreams. The images, scenes, and feelings that emerge under the cover of night often say much more about us than we might first realize. Dreams not only serve to process the events of the past day, but can also shed new light on our subconscious fears, desires, and internal conflicts.

​What is dream interpretation?
Dream interpretation is the art and science of interpreting symbols in dreams. Dreams have fascinated people for thousands of years, from ancient cultures to modern psychology. The work of Freud and Jung fundamentally changed the approach to dream interpretation, as they considered dreams to be the language of the subconscious, which is still very important today. Numerous studies prove the existence of a mind that lies deep beneath the conscious mind, which is activated from time to time!

Common dream symbols and their meanings:
Water:
For me, water always symbolizes emotions. Calm, clear water means inner peace and emotional balance, while cloudy or stormy water indicates tension and internal conflicts. This is also true in reality. We should drink a lot of water every day, at least 2 liters - experts say - because this feeds positive energy into our bodies and is essential for the healthy functioning of our bodies.

Flying:
When I dream that I am flying, I often feel my desire for freedom come true. At the same time, if I have difficulty rising, it can indicate limitations and obstacles present in my life.

Falling:
When I was a teenager, I often dreamed that I was falling. I did not know what this dream meant. Then I noticed in my life that I only dreamed like this when I had a task that I was not in control of, but had to face tasks caused by others or circumstances. In other words, it represented the fear of losing control, where I am not in control. In such cases, we can also feel that control is slipping out of our hands. Or maybe we have hit too big a tree with our axe.

Teeth falling out:
I may have dreamed like this once in my life. But then I had rows of dental treatments waiting for me. But after looking into it, because the dream was very vivid, I found that it can indicate low self-confidence and underestimation if the dream appears several times.

Being lost:
When I dream that I can't find something or get lost, it is often related to the uncertainties and lack of direction in my life. I often feel that I just keep going, but I can't find where I am going. I know where I want to go, but I can't reach my destination. It's always further and further away or I can't see it.

How do you interpret your dreams?

Dream interpretation is a subjective process. What one symbol means to me may mean something completely different to someone else. That’s why it’s important to always pay attention to your feelings and the context of the dream when keeping a dream journal.

Steps to Interpreting Dreams:

Keep a dream journal: Write down your dreams every morning in as much detail as you can.

Pay attention to recurring symbols: If certain dream symbols appear frequently, it could indicate something important in your life.

Connect dreams to real-life events: Think about how your dreams reflect current challenges and emotions in your life.

Use dream dictionaries: While these can be helpful, always remember that personal experience is the most important.

Why is dream interpretation important?

Dream interpretation has been a central part of human curiosity and self-discovery for centuries. Many cultures believe that dreams are not just random images and events, but messages with deeper meaning from our subconscious or even spiritual sources. Here are some reasons why dream interpretation may be important:

Increased self-awareness: Dreams often reflect our subconscious fears, desires, and conflicts. Dream interpretation can help us uncover these hidden feelings and better understand ourselves.

Problem-solving: During dreams, the brain can process problems in creative ways. Often, a solution or idea will appear in a dream that we would not have found while awake.

Spiritual guidance: Many spiritual traditions believe that dreams can be gateways to higher consciousness or divine messages. Dreams are believed to provide guidance in making important life decisions.

Emotional processing: Dreams provide an opportunity for repressed emotions or traumas to surface and become easier to process.

Connecting to the collective unconscious: According to Carl Jung, dream symbols often reflect collective archetypes that are rooted in the shared experiences of humanity. Dream interpretation can help you recognize and understand these. (You can read more about Carl Jung here!)

Closing thoughts

Dreams are not only interesting, but they can also carry powerful messages. As you engage with them more and more, you will see how they can lead you to new paths of self-knowledge. Don’t be afraid to embark on this mystical journey, because your dreams reveal much more about you than you think!