Out in the forest on an estate. The house I'm living in is an old English manor, like a small castle. Old and made of stone with moss and ivy taking over it's surface. It seems like The Secret Garden. It's the same time of year in my dream as it is now, in waking life- earliest spring, latest winter and the ground lies sodden and disheveled after long dormant months. Not far from the house, gardens, and grounds runs a river in a small gorge. The water is emerald green and singing along through it's forest path. My friend Samantha is with me, she's come to see me. But I'm too busy to spend time with her. I direct her in exploring around on her own and she disappears down into the river gorge alone. I look out across the dreary grounds, back toward the manor. At my feet is one of the numerous stone lined flowerbeds, choked with the grey muck of last year's fallen leaves. I think, this place would be beautiful if I would just give it some time and care.
Stone is a symbol of being, of cohesion and harmonious reconciliation
with self. The hardness and durability of stone have always impressed men,
suggesting to them the antithesis to biological things subject to the laws of change,
decay and death, as well as the antithesis to dust, sand and stone splinters, as
aspects of disintegration. The stone when whole symbolized unity and strength;
when shattered it signified dismemberment, psychic disintegration, infirmity,
death and annihilation. Stones fallen from heaven served to explain the origin of
life. In volcanic eruptions, air turned to fire, fire became ‘water’ and ‘water’
changed to stone; hence stone constitutes the first solid form of the creative
rhythm (51)—the sculpture of essential movement, and the petrified music of creation (50). The mythic and religious significance is only one step removed
from this basic symbolic sense, a step which was taken by the immense majority
of peoples during the animistic era. Meteorites, in particular, came in for worship; the most celebrated are the Kaaba meteorite in Mecca and the Black Stone
of Pessinus, an aniconic image of the Phrygian Great Mother taken to Rome
during the last of the Punic Wars (17). Here is a description of the Mohammedans’ stone, taken from Marques-Rivière: ‘Inside the Kaaba, which is nothing
more than a dark hall, there are three columns holding up the roof which has a
number of silver and gold lamps hanging down from it. The floor is of marble tiles.
In the eastern corner, some five feet above floor-level, not far from the door, is the
famous black stone (al hadjar alaswad) sealed off, composed of three great
sections. . . . In colour it is reddish black with red and yellow patches; in appearance it recalls lava or basalt’ (39). Among the stones venerated by the ancients, we
must not overlook the Greek omphaloi; Guénon maintains that they are really
bethels, a word derived from the Hebrew Beith-El (or the House of God), related
to the biblical ‘And this stone which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s House’
(Genesis xxviii, 22), even though its sense is magic and not architectonic (28).
There are numerous legends dealing with stones: the so-called Abadir which
Saturn devoured, mistaking it for Jupiter; or the stones of Deucalion and Pyrrha;
or those in the myth of Medusa the Gorgon (6); or that which contained Mithras
until his birth (11). There are other stones in folktales, but these seem to be
invested with rather more modest powers: the Lapis lineus, for example, as it was
called by the Romans, which was supposed to be able to prophesy by changing
its colour; or the Irish stone Lia-Fail, associated with coronations (8). As for the
philosophers’ stone in alchemy, it represents the ‘conjunction’ of opposites, or
the integration of the conscious self with the feminine or unconscious side (or in
other words, the fixing of volatile elements); it is, then, a symbol of the All (33).
As Jung rightly says, the alchemists approached their task obliquely—they did
not seek the divine in matter but tried to ‘produce’ it by means of a lengthy
process of purification and transmutation (32). According to Evola, the touchstone is symbolic of the body, since it is ‘fixed’, as opposed to the ‘wandering’
characteristic of thought, the spirits and desires. But only the resuscitated body—
in which ‘two will be one’—can correspond to the philosophers’ stone. Evola
points out that, for the alchemist, ‘between eternal birth, reintegration, and the
discovery of the philosophers’ stone, there is no difference whatsoever’.
To see stones in your dreams, foretells numberless perplexities and failures.
To walk among rocks, or stones, omens that an uneven and rough pathway will be yours for at least a while.
To make deals in ore-bearing rock lands, you will be successful in business after many lines have been tried. If you fail to profit by the deal, you will have disappointments. If anxiety is greatly felt in closing the trade, you will succeed in buying or selling something that will prove profitable to you.
Small stones or pebbles, implies that little worries and vexations will irritate you.
If you throw a stone, you will have cause to admonish a person.
If you design to throw a pebble or stone at some belligerent person, it denotes that some evil feared by you will pass because of your untiring attention to right principles.
Seeing stones in your dream, symbolizes strength, unity, and unyielding beliefs. Consider the common phrase "etched in stone" which suggest permanence and unchanging attitudes. Some stones also carry sacred and magical meanings. Alternatively, stones may relate to issues of moral judgment and/or guilt. Dreaming that you are carrying a bag of stones, refers to your inner strength and fortitude that you have yet to unleash and reveal to others. Seeing rough stones in your dream, represents your quest in recognizing and developing your self-identity. Part of this quest is to become aware of your unconscious and suppressed thoughts. For various cultures, stones have spiritual significance. Consider the Black Stone of Mecca which is believed by Muslims to allow for direct communication with God. For the Irish, the Blarney Stone is seen as a gift of eloquence.
Dreaming that someone or something is smaller than usual, represents feelings of insignificance, helplessness and unworthiness. Alternatively, you may be literally trying to "knock" this person down to size. Perhaps it suggests that you or someone in your life has an inflated ego and need to be taught a lesson. Dreaming that you are small and everyone is normal sized, suggests that you are suffering from low self-esteem and/or a sense of helplessness. Perhaps you are being overlooked.
Mystics have always traditionally considered the feminine aspect of
the universe as a chest, a house or a wall, as well as an enclosed garden. Another
symbolic association is that which equates the house (and the above, related
forms) with the repository of all wisdom, that is, tradition itself (4). In architectural symbolism, on the other hand, the house carries not only an overall symbolism but also particular associations attached to each of its component parts.
Nevertheless, the house as a home arouses strong, spontaneous associations with
the human body and human thought (or life, in other words), as has been confirmed empirically by psychoanalysts. Ania Teillard explains this by pointing
out that, in dreams, we employ the image of the house as a representation of the
different layers of the psyche. The outside of the house signifies the outward
appearance of Man: his personality or his mask. The various floors are related to
the vertical and spatial symbols. The roof and upper floor correspond to the head
and the mind, as well as to the conscious exercise of self-control. Similarly, the
basement corresponds to the unconscious and the instincts (just as sewers do, in
symbols pertaining to the city). The kitchen, since this is where foodstuff is
transformed, sometimes signifies the place or the moment of psychic transmutation in the alchemical sense. The intercommunicating rooms speak for themselves. The stairs are the link between the various planes of the psyche, but their
particular significance depends upon whether they are seen as ascending or descending. Finally, there is, as we have said, the association of the house with the
human body, especially regarding its openings, as was well understood by
Artemidorus Daldianus (56).
To see a house in your dream, represents your own soul and self. Specific rooms in the house indicate a specific aspect of your psyche. In general, the attic represents your intellect, the basement represents the unconscious, etc. If the house is empty, then it indicates feelings of insecurity. If the house is shifting, then it suggests that you are going through some personal changes and changing your belief system. To dream that a house has no walls, represents a lack of privacy. You feel that everyone is looking over your shoulder or up in your business.
To dream that you are cleaning your house, signifies your need to clear out your thoughts and get rid of old ways. You are seeking self-improvement.
If you live with others in your waking life, but dream that you are living alone, suggests that you need to take new steps toward independence. You need to accept responsibilities and be more self-reliant.
To see an old, run-down house in your dream, represents your old beliefs, attitudes and how you used to think or feel. A situation in your current life may be bringing about those same old attitudes and feelings. Alternatively, the old house may symbolize your need to update you mode of thinking. To dream that your house is damaged, indicates your waking concerns about the condition of your house.
To see a new house in your dream, indicates that you are entering into a new phase or new area in your life. You are becoming more emotionally mature. If you are locked out of the house, then it represents rejection and insecurity. You feel you are being left behind.
To dream that your house is broken into, suggests that you are feeling violated. It may refer to a particular relationship or current situation in your life. Alternatively, it indicates that some unconscious material is attempting to make itself known. There are some aspects of yourself that you have denied.
To dream of a haunted house, signifies unfinished emotional business, related to your childhood family, dead relatives, or repressed memories and feelings.
To dream that a house has disappeared, indicates that you are not feeling grounded. You feel uprooted by a particular circumstance or relationship in your life.
To dream that water is rising up in your house, suggests that you are becoming overwhelmed by your emotions.
To dream of building a house, you will make wise changes in your present affairs.
To dream that you own an elegant house, denotes that you will soon leave your home for a better, and fortune will be kind to you.
Old and dilapidated houses, denote failure in business or any effort, and declining health.
Seeing a house in your dream, represents your own soul and self. Specific rooms in the house indicate a specific aspect of your psyche. In general, the attic represents your intellect, the basement represents the unconscious, etc. If the house is empty, then it indicates feelings of insecurity. If the house is shifting, then it suggests that you are going through some personal changes and changing your belief system. Dreaming that you are cleaning your house means your need to clear out your thoughts and getting rid of old ways. You are seeking self-improvement. Seeing an old, run-down house in your dream, represents your old beliefs, attitudes and how you used to think or feel. A situation in your current life may be bringing about those same old attitudes and feelings. Alternatively, the old house may symbolize your need to update you mode of thinking. Dreaming that your house is broken into, suggests that you are feeling violated. It may refer to a particular relationship or current situation in your life. Alternatively, it indicates that some unconscious material is attempting to make itself known. There are some aspects of yourself that you have denied. Dreaming of a haunted house means unfinished emotional business, related to your childhood family, dead relatives, or repressed memories and feelings. Dreaming that a house disappeared, indicates that you are not feeling grounded. You feel uprooted by a particular circumstance or relationship in your life.
It is common to dream about houses. They usually symbolise our emotional and psychological selves. All of your experiences, stages of development, and parts of your conscious and unconscious life may be represented by that house. The house may be representing issues concerning a particular dilemma in your life, or it may be more general and comprehensive. Either way, if you pay attention to the details in this dream, you may learn a thing or two about yourself.
Within the general symbolism of landscape, forests occupy a notable
place, and are often found in myths, legends and folktales. Forest-symbolism is
complex, but it is connected at all levels with the symbolism of the female principle or of the Great Mother. The forest is the place where vegetable life thrives
and luxuriates, free from any control or cultivation. And since its foliage obscures
the light of the sun, it is therefore regarded as opposed to the sun’s power and as
a symbol of the earth. In Druid mythology, the forest was given to the sun in
marriage (49). Since the female principle is identified with the unconscious in
Man, it follows that the forest is also a symbol of the unconscious. It is for this
reason that Jung maintains that the sylvan terrors that figure so prominently in
children’s tales symbolize the perilous aspects of the unconscious, that is, its
tendency to devour or obscure the reason (31). Zimmer stresses that, in contrast
with the city, the house and cultivated land, which are all safe areas, the forest
harbours all kinds of dangers and demons, enemies and diseases (60). This is why forests were among the first places in nature to be dedicated to the cult of the
gods, and why propitiatory offerings were suspended from trees (the tree being,
in this case, the equivalent of a sacrificial stake) (8).
To dream that you are in or walking through the forest, signifies a transitional phase. Follow your instincts. Alternatively, it indicates that you want to escape to a simpler way of life. You are feeling weighed down by the demands of your life.
To dream that you are lost in a forest, indicates that you are searching through your unconscious for a better understanding of yourself.
To dream of a forest fire, indicates that transformation and regeneration is only possible through some hardships. Alternatively, it suggests that your anger is out of control; it is affecting those around you.
To dream that you find yourself in a dense forest, denotes loss in trade, unhappy home influences and quarrels among families. If you are cold and feel hungry, you will be forced to make a long journey to settle some unpleasant affair.
To see a forest of stately trees in foliage, denotes prosperity and pleasures. To literary people, this dream foretells fame and much appreciation from the public. A young lady relates the following dream and its fulfilment: ``I was in a strange forest of what appeared to be cocoanut trees, with red and yellow berries growing on them. The ground was covered with blasted leaves, and I could hear them crackle under my feet as I wandered about lost. The next afternoon I received a telegram announcing the death of a dear cousin.''
Dreaming that you are in or walking through the forest means a transitional phase. You may be following your instincts. Dreaming that you are lost in a forest means that you are searching through your unconscious for a better understanding of yourself.
More than a symbol, the year is, as it were, the prototype of all cyclic
processes (the day, the span of human life, the rise and fall of a culture, the cosmic
cycle, etc.). All cycles are composed of an ascending and a descending phase, i.e.
evolution and involution; sometimes, cycles are also subdivided into three or,
more frequently, four phases (seasons of the year, ages of man). The overall
division of the cyclic process, however, need not necessarily be symmetrical.
Thus, in a cycle composed of twelve units, such as the year (or the wheel of the
Zodiac), the ascending and descending phases can be taken either as 6 plus 6
(symmetrical division) or 8 plus 4 (asymmetrical division). The former is a more
geometrical, the latter a more empirical division. The year is usually represented
by the figure of an old man in a circle, with two or three outer rings containing
such items as: the names of the months, the cycle of work appropriate to each
month, the signs of the Zodiac and so on. Often the circle of the year is, in its turn,
enclosed in a square the corners of which are occupied by four figures personify ing the four seasons. The tapestry of the Creation, in Gerona cathedral, is a
famous example. Two interesting points in connexion with the annual cycle are:
(i) in Chinese tradition, the cycle is divided into two equal parts, corresponding
respectively to darkness/death, and light/life; (ii) there was a primitive belief that
every man undergoes a process of regeneration every year, from December to
June, symbolizing death and resurrection (51) (Plate XXXII).
To dream of a year, signifies a passage of time. It represents a cycle of growth, learning and maturity.
An ambivalent symbol since it corresponds to the creative power both
of nature and of time. On the one hand it signifies fertility and the progressive
irrigation of the soil; and on the other hand it stands for the irreversible passage of
time and, in consequence, for a sense of loss and oblivion (8, 60).
Rapid and flowing muddy river indicates great troubles and difficulties. But a river
with calm glassy surface foretells happiness and love.
To see a clear and calm river in your dream, indicates that you are just going with the flow. You are allowing your life to float away. It is time to take a more decisive role in directing your life. Alternatively, a river symbolizes joyful pleasures, peace, prosperity and fertility. If you are crossing a river in your dream, then it represents an obstacle or issue that you need to deal with in order to move closer toward your goal. It is also reflective of a new stage in your life. If the river is muddy, then it indicates that you are in turmoil.
To see a raging river in your dream, signifies that your life is feeling out of control. You are feeling emotionally unsettled. Alternatively, a river means you are ready to confront life's challenges and life's twists and turns.
To dream that a river is comprised of flowing red chili, refers to the raw emotion, and intense passion or anger that is flowing through you and yearning to be expressed. meanings by DreamMoods.com
To dream that you are bathing in a river, represents purification and cleansing.
If you see a clear, smooth, flowing river in your dream, you will soon succeed to the enjoyment of delightful pleasures, and prosperity will bear flattering promises.
If the waters are muddy or tumultuous, there will be disagreeable and jealous contentions in your life.
If you are water-bound by the overflowing of a river, there will be temporary embarrassments in your business, or you will suffer uneasiness lest some private escapade will reach public notice and cause your reputation harsh criticisms.
If while sailing upon a clear river you see corpses in the bottom, you will find that trouble and gloom will follow swiftly upon present pleasures and fortune.
To see empty rivers, denotes sickness and unusual ill-luck.
Seeing a clear, calm-flowing river in your dream means that you are allowing your life to float away and it is time that you take a more decisive hand in directing your life. A river also symbolizes joyful pleasures, peace and prosperity. Seeing a raging river means that your life is feeling out of control. Seeing a muddy and/or raging river means tumultuous times and jealousy in your life. Seeing empty rivers in your dream, forewarns of sickness and unexpected bad luck.
Water sustains life and is the most abundant compound in all living things. It may represent the flow of your energies, the path of your life, or the passage of time. It also may be symbolic of your emotional happiness. Examine the details of your dream. Is the water clear or murky? Is it rapid, turbulent, or stagnant? Are you just floating along its currents or actively controlling your movements? Consider these factors and see how they can be associated with daily life.
To see your own feet in your dream, symbolizes your foundation, stability and sense of understanding. It signifies your need to be more practical and sensible. Keep both feet on the ground. Alternatively, feet represents mobility, independence and freedom. Perhaps you have taken a step in the right direction and are contemplating your goals or your next step. The sole of the foot may be a pun of being or feeling like the "sole" or only support of some person or situation.
Consider also the pun of "putting your foot in your mouth".
To dream that you are washing your feet, indicates that others can easily take advantage of you. For Christians, washing your feet symbolizes forgiveness and compassion. If someone is kissing your feet, then it symbolizes humbleness, humility, or devotion.
In particular for the people of India, to dream of the feet may symbolize divine qualities since the feet are considered the holiest part of the body.
To dream of seeing your own feet, is omnious{sic} of despair. You will be overcome by the will and temper of another. To see others' feet, denotes that you will maintain your rights in a pleasant, but determined way, and win for yourself a place above the common walks of life.
To dream that you wash your feet, denotes that you will let others take advantage of you.
To dream that your feet are hurting you, portends troubles of a humiliating character, as they usually are family quarrels.
To see your feet swollen and red, you will make a sudden change in your business by separating from your family. This is an evil dream, as it usually foretells scandal and sensation.
Seeing your own feet in your dream, symbolizes your foundation, stability and sense of understanding. It means your need to be more practical and sensible. Keep both feet on the ground. Alternatively, it represents mobility, independence and freedom. Perhaps you have taken a step in the right direction and are contemplating your goals or your next step. The sole of the foot may be a pun of being or feeling like the only support of some person/situation. Dreaming that you are washing your feet indicates that others can easily take advantage of you. In particular for the people of India, to dream of the feet may symbolize divine qualities since the feet are considered the holiest part of the body.
For some people, dreaming about feet can be a very sexy dream. Besides sexual connotations, the dreams can represent your ability to move forward in life. Dreams with feet in them point to how well you are balanced and grounded.