running
Hi Dana— Thanks for writing in with such a great question. You are absolutely right. We often hear of dreamers struggling to move in dreams—being unable to throw a punch, say, or only being able to run in slow motion. So what does it mean when just the opposite occurs? When, like in your dreams, […]
chased in paris!
Dear SuperGirl – Chase dreams typically reflect how we are responding to an anxiety that we are feeling in our waking life. Common chase dreams involve being pursued by some attacker, who will hurt, rape, or possibly kill the dreamer, with the dreamer then experiencing all the commotion of running away, hiding, out-witting and out-manuevering […]
failure to graduate
I have had this recurring dream for the last 5 or 6 years. The last time I had it was two weeks ago. I graduated from university in 1995. I always dream I am visiting my hometown, Augusta, Ga., which is where my mom and her family lives. (It is where I lived until I […]
failure to graduate
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS… B. Current waking life challenges Hi Cheryl— Back to school dreams are incredibly common. If you survey a group of your friends, you will be surprised (and relieved) when about half of them say, “Yeah! I’ve had that dream!” Curiously, back to school dreams do not reflect a desire to return […]
missed exam
Hi Dana – It’s a common dream which concerns our ability to perform significant tasks. People also have variations on this theme. They dream they sleep through the exam, they sleep through their alarm, they arrive as everyone is leaving, they are naked in the exam room, etc. Sound familiar?? Usually when we have these […]
back in high school
Hi Stephanie— Do you ever get the feeling that you’re not being allowed to grow up? You are 32 years old, but it’s no accident that this dream places you back in high school. You had an affair a few years ago (a mis-step), and your dream shows that you now are trying to “make […]
different bridges
Dear Many Rivers to Cross– You are correct in suspecting that Bridge Dreams are fairly common metaphors that our unconscious uses to represent transition periods in our lives. I would be interested to know what events in your life corresponded to each of the different types of bridges. For example, was the “sci-fi” dream, with […]
different bridges
I am familiar with some of the common “Theme Dreams:” flying, public speaking, nakedness in public, taking an exam, etc. I am wondering if a dream I have had with variations is a common theme. I have had the dream since I was seven years old, and it has occurred at every major turning point […]
riding a bus
Background information: My boyfriend, 52, is an ex-lawyer who is grounded by severe health problems. He’s very intense and intelligent, but moody. In my dream, I was stuck on a bus that wasn’t going where I wanted to go. I was a student. —Sue, Age 46, Separated, Covington, KY, USA For the interpretation of the […]
riding a bus
Hi Sue— You don’t give us much background information about your relationship with your boyfriend, but your dream is full of travel metaphors that, once explained, ought to help you find your way! When we are headed the wrong direction in a dream, it usually means we are failing to progress in our personal lives. […]
broken glass
I am a 47 year-old woman who within the last year moved from Santa Barbara, California, to Chicago, IL. I was raised in Pennsylvania and my family is still there, so this move was a “coming back to my roots.” (I had been away for almost 20 years). I have been doing much work with […]
car out of control
I was driving my soft top mustang in a bad snow storm, I lost control of the car and started flipping the vehicle finally to a dead stop on someone’s front lawn. As my last flip was occurring I rolled down the window, thinking to myself that I might not get out of the car […]