What can dreams tell you? A whole lot of everything and more, turns out!
Dreams are messengers from the unconscious that provide key information about the state of our lives. They give us clues about our relationships, our work, decisions we’ve made or are about to make, potential dangers and wrong turns. They also speak to the state of our health, the truth of our psyche beneath the facade, the emotions we repress, things we deny, and yes, even future events!
To ignore them is to discount one of life’s most valuable gifts. They’re one of the key connections we have to our inner selves, the collective unconscious, and even our fates.
I personally started learning about dreams and dream symbology at a very young age because my mother, a Jungian scholar, spent nearly half her life studying them. As a devotee of the teachings of the great analytical psychologist Carl Gustav Jung, she began exposing me to his theories in early childhood, including the mechanisms of dream interpretation.
By the age of seven I found myself seated in my mother’s vast interdisciplinary library having my dreams dissected day by day year over year in what turned out to be a lifelong pursuit. In the process she’d not only completed her Doctoral of Divinity degree and studies at the Jungian Institute in Switzerland, I’d also begun to unravel the mystery of dream language and symbolism myself, noting patterns and messages that frequently emerged.
Below I’ve compiled 10 key dream scenarios and what they can reveal about your psyche, your emotions, and life journey—preparing you for a deeper understanding of what your dreams may be trying to communicate.
10 Key Things Your Dreams Can tell You
Dreams often speak to us through vivid symbols, many of which carry universal meanings. Others are deeply personal and shaped by our own experiences. Jung believed that these symbols connect us to the unconscious mind, offering guidance and revealing aspects of ourselves that we may not fully understand or are attempting to repress.
While the interpretation of dreams is highly individual, there are several symbols that tend to carry common meanings across cultures and individuals. Below are 10 of the most frequent and what they can typically signify, with a nod to the potential for personal variations based on your life circumstances and emotional state.
It’s also worth noting that dreams are often reflective of the current day, including thoughts and emotions you had before you went to sleep.
1. Strangers
Strangers in dreams often represent aspects of ourselves that we don’t fully recognize or integrate. According to Jung, they can be parts of the unconscious that are emerging into our awareness, symbolizing traits or qualities we have yet to embrace. They can also represent our ‘shadow’ selves with regards to unconscious qualities and motivations, or less commonly, foreshadow someone we haven’t met yet.
2. Cars
Cars in dreams frequently symbolize our journey through life and how we navigate challenges. The condition of the car, the speed, the way we drive—and who is driving—can represent control over our life direction, our personal freedom, or our anxiety about the future. They can also animate the result of decisions or pending decisions in the broader scope of things.
For instance, if you went to bed pondering an important decision and dreamt that your car went off a cliff or down a dead end road, it could be a warning that the decision is not a good one. Contrarily, if you dreamt that you were driving a beautiful car and all was good, it could indicate a green light from your unconscious.
Dreaming that someone else is driving your car can mean that the qualities of that person, or that person themselves, has gained some influence or control over your life. Seeing yourself in a luxury car accompanied by a positive resonance can symbolize success and good fortune in your affairs. If your car is broken down on the side of the road, it can indicate a health issue or an obstacle in your path.
3. Bridges
A bridge in a dream represents a transition or a crossroads, where change or a new direction is raking shape. It’s a symbol of connection and the crossing over of psychological, emotional, spiritual, or material divides, marking important shifts or decisions in life.
It can also represent a literal direction in your life and how it’s evolving, or will evolve. For example, if you’re attempting to cross a bridge and it collapses, or you have to turn back, it does not suggest a fortuitous outcome. On the other hand it could also indicate a delay or readjustment.
4. Flying
Flying is often associated with a desire for freedom or escape, and can represent aspirations or ambitions that we feel are unattainable. However, it can also symbolize a higher state of consciousness or self-realization, depending on the context of the flight.
Clearly dreams of plane crashes are warnings of potential dangers and obstacles if you continue on the path. If you’re scheduled to take a flight somewhere and dream of a plane crash, do not ignore the dream. There are many documented cases of people being forewarned of plane crashes in dreams. They can also symbolize that you’re on the wrong path in life and need to change course.
5. Water
Water is a powerful symbol in dreams, representing the unconscious mind and our emotional state. Calm, clear water can signify emotional balance, while turbulent or murky water may indicate confusion, emotional turmoil, or unaddressed issues.
6. Teeth Falling Out
This common dream often symbolizes a fear of losing control, personal insecurity, or concerns about aging. It may also reflect anxiety about one’s appearance or how others perceive you, according to Jung’s interpretation of personal self-image.
7. Nakedness
Being naked in public in a dream often suggests vulnerability, fear of judgment, or a lack of protection. It can also represent the desire for authenticity and truthfulness, inviting us to embrace parts of ourselves we usually hide or suppress.
8. Chased or Attacked
Dreams of being chased or attacked are linked to feelings of fear, stress, or avoidance. Jung often linked such dreams to unresolved inner conflicts, where the person may be running from or avoiding confronting parts of themselves. There is usually always something going in your life that needs resolving if you dream you’re being chased and/or attacked.
9. Houses
A house in a dream is frequently viewed as a symbol of the self and one’s life. Different rooms can represent different aspects of the psyche. For example, an attic might represent hidden thoughts or memories, while a basement may symbolize repressed emotions or past traumas.
10. Snakes
Snakes are powerful symbols of transformation, healing, and danger. In Jungian analysis, they can represent the shadow self—those parts of us we fear or repress. This can indicate a need for renewal, personal growth, or confronting something threatening but ultimately necessary for our evolution.
Supplements For Dreaming
There are supplements that can enhance dreams and dream recall, including melatonin. It plays a key role in sleep quality and REM. One study found that it “decreases sleep onset latency, increases total sleep time and improves overall sleep quality.” Another report found that it substantially boosts REM.
The medical and health topics covered on the PlateofGrass website and blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent or cure any disease. This article and its content is presented ‘as is’ for informational purposes only.
