Animals in my Dreams

Sometimes, sleep can be a nice and restful and sometimes it can be a struggle. There’s always something to learn though. The key to working with dreams, I think, is to understand that no matter what you see or where you seem to be in the dream, everyone, everywhere is always a part of you - which perhaps simply requires embracing. Lately in my dreams, it seems I’ve mostly just been running away from something, fighting when trapped and harming that which was asking for attention.

Last night, it was once again as though the programs inside of me in their suits and uniforms were out to get me. In recalling the memories of wandering through the crowded streets of people, apartment buildings and sometimes empty corridors, I wonder why some programs would define (or that particular perception point of me) as a threat in my own dream. Sometimes, in not recognizing me as a target, they would just ignore me. But as soon as I started speaking (just to make conversation), their attitudes seemed to change and I suddenly become a target. Metaphorically speaking, it was like, in their world, I was the virus and they were the antibodies. 

Searching for a safe place, the place where I was supposed to be or the place where my friends were,  I ran when I could, fought when I was trapped, but even the kind looking old lady that I thought would help me seemed only to want to hack me with an ax.

Switch scenes to another dream, perhaps another day; I’m trying to get out of somewhere, some kind of apartment or compartment. However, as soon as I’m outside the door, there’s someone in front of me handing me a huge black salamander. The salamander takes my arm in its mouth and even though it’s not hurting me, I’m frightened and I want to get away, but it seems to want me to stay. In fear, I ended up crushing the salamander in my hand. Thankfully though, I awoke with the memory still intact soas to consider the message.

According to Salamander Dream Meaning and Interpretations - Dream Stop:  the salamander is a water dweller and brings messages of emotions, spirituality, and how to move easily through the challenges you meet. She may come to ask if you use your time wisely. ... Salamander's appearance in your dreams is a message of transformation.

In that same dream, as I recall, I was once again attempting to get out of a room or compartment. As I walked out, a lion was there looking at me. I seemed to not want me to leave and it took part of my arm in its mouth. Sadly once again, as I did with the salamander, I also ended up hurting the lion in order to escape. On this note, although a part of me is saddened by the thought of hurting those animal representations within me, I also realize (by now) that different parts of me are actually communicating with one another in these dreams. And as all of me understand when it comes to dream symbolism, that I’ll simply type it into Google, it does make sense to use symbols that I care about.

To see a lion in your dream can symbolize strength, courage, assertiveness, and power. Lions can represent predatory feelings deep inside of you such as aggression, that is directed at people around you. ... Lions are considered the king of the jungle and represent authority over others. Source: Lion Dream Interpretation and Meaning - Dream Stop. For me this means that I’ve been suppressing aggression, specifically when it comes to speaking out on a certain topic to certain people - weighing on me a lot as of late.

And to finish off this post, there was a dog dream. As per  Dreams About Dogs – Meaning and Interpretation: A dog in a dream is a sign of self – defense. ... Dogs in dreams are a symbol of loyalty, protection, fidelity and intuition. This dream might symbolize you or someone close to you who has these qualities. Sometimes a dream about dogs indicates some forgotten or ignored talents you have.

Use my time wisely, transforming myself, suppressed aggression…?  I affectionately like to think of myself as Turtlewalker, wisely moving at a turtle’s pace, determined to eventually realize my destination, yet careful not to create expectations as to what my destination is or when I’ll get there. Dream translation: get off your ass and face these issues Thomas and use your ability with words to speak out from a starting point of honor, respect and integrity to get your process moving once again.

Symbols and signs, it’s amazing what you can find. The key, I guess is to determine where to focus and what to focus on. And on that note, after having done exactly that (including finishing this post), I noticed last night before going to sleep how I’ve just recently decided to begin looking closely into “the pain” of positive energies - which is kind of new for me.