I have had snake dreams off and on now for years. My last one was 1 month ago. I had just returned from a holiday visiting a very special man in Western Australia (I live in Victoria, Australia). I so badly wanted to quit my job and stay with him at the end of the holiday but I wanted him to come and visit me just for my security in knowing that he wanted to see me. I had recently changed jobs so it would not have been a good career move either, although I’m not enjoying the job. My dream happened 2 nights after I returned home from my trip.

I was running around an oval, but I couldn’t run properly and everyone was overtaking me. I finally reached the finishing line where there was a huge orangey-red snake rearing and hissing at me. But I just proceeded to run straight past it. But then once I had stopped about 20 metres past the snake, I turned around to find that the head of the snake had broken off and followed me down to where I was standing. It was jumping up at me and head-butting me (not biting me) although I think it was trying to bite me. Then, with one massive swoop of my arm I swiped it straight to the ground and it curled up and I don’t know whether it died or not.......

I am terribly afraid of snakes. The last physical snake I saw was when I was with my special man. A snake came within 30 cm of my feet, and Mick was right behind me.

—Michelle, Victoria, Australia

Hi Michelle—

In ancient Greek, Indian, and American Indian cultures, snakes are considered powerful and auspicious symbols. In Indian Yogic traditions, for example, the snake is the symbol of the life force itself - the most powerful force in the universe - that resides in all life, providing us with the drive to live, and to recreate ourselves. Snakes often are interpreted sexually, as phallic symbols (owing to their shape), and, because they shed their skin, snakes are associated with periods of growth and transition.

The snake in your dreams is “orangey-red” (a flesh color), and behaves in a curious manner. Rather than biting you, it is “head-butting” you! The rhythmic movement of the snake, banging into you repeatedly, suggests a sexual interpretation. The fact that the head was separated from its tail also is significant. With most of its body missing, did the snake come to look more like a sperm, with a big head and little tail? If so, the symbol may reflect combined meanings of sexual activity, coupled with your desire to start a family.

I am curious if running around the oval track, racing with others toward a finish line, isn’t a dream metaphor for your desire to “reach” or “achieve” a committed relationship (marriage?) with a man in your life? You are interested in Mick, but tell us you are uncertain of his feelings for you. Accordingly, the feeling that you are “running behind” may be a reflection of anxiety, as time goes by (and as you watch other friends marry and start families), that you are running out of time. The fact that you strike this intimidating snake with a massive blow, which may or may not have killed it, suggests you are growing frustrated with “the chase.” Translation? If Mick has been “wasting your time,” and considers you a sexual partner but no more, I think you are ready to move on.

Before you put all your “eggs” in one basket (or with one “snake”) you have decided to wait to hear from Mick. I suspect he will “hear” your silence, and either will come to court you, or he will wind up, like the snake, being removed from your life.

If the blow to the snake represents frustration on the road to motherhood, recall that, with each disappointment, you learn better your needs and desires in a relationship. The Dream Doctor’s advice? Try not to become frustrated on the path. Now is a time for courtship and wooing - if not with Mick, then with another man who is on the same “track.”