Are you curious about the meaning of your dreams? You can learn how to interpret dream symbols and meanings. We can show you how to create a dream dictionary A-Z. It will unlock the messages of your dreams.
Our dreams are a reflection of our deepest desires and fears. Spiritual teachers tell us that decoding our dreams is important for our growth. Psychologists explore the connections between our dreams and memories to overcome trauma. All you need is the right tools to interpret dream symbols and meanings.
Deciphering Dreams and Meanings
To decode our dreams, we must understand how the mind works. Our mind is comprised of conscious and unconscious mechanisms.
The conscious mind houses our mental processes. It includes awareness, attention, perception, memory, imagination, language, and problem-solving skills.
The unconscious mind overlaps with the conscious mind. It holds our body’s automated functions, the nervous system, and psyche. This includes the ego, which houses our personality and instincts. All these processes influence our dreams. Thus, interpreting dreams accurately needs a personal approach to consider these unique factors.
We are all tempted to take the easy way and buy a dictionary or bestiary containing the traditional meaning of dreams. However, these resources are often inaccurate because they were compiled hundreds of years ago. They reflect symbolism that is not accurate today. They most certainly cannot account for individual experiences in the modern world.
Many things exist now that did not exist in the era when animism was man’s way of understanding the world. There are more things and symbols than ever. It makes deciphering dreams and meanings challenging. We can make the process more accurate by using a method that includes our predilections.
Let’s define the things we will be looking for.
Symbolism — Using an object, color, or image to stand for an idea or meaning beyond its literal sense. For example, a dove can represent peace.
Typology — A way of grouping things that have common characteristics. For example, in Christianity, Jonah in the whale is seen as a “type” of Jesus’ burial and resurrection.
Let’s look at a process that accounts for the meaning of the symbolism in our minds.
How To Create a Dream Dictionary A-Z
Creating a personalized, accurate dictionary for dreams requires three primary steps. Within each step, there are actions to complete.
1. Gather Data
2 . Analyze the Data
3. Interpret Dream Symbols and Meanings
The accuracy of the results depends on gathering the necessary data. The more data you gather, the more accurate your results.
First Step — Gather Data
The key to successfully deciphering dreams and meanings is to follow the steps and actions. If you follow the process, it will yield accurate results.
1. Use Inner Work Tools to Find the Data
This section outlines the tools in the recommended order of their use. You will use these tools to find and later to analyze and interpret dream data.
Journaling — Dream journals are the most important source of data. Other journaling can also reveal the symbolism used by the psyche. Keep a dream journal where you record your dreams and dream fragments. The longer you keep these journals, the more valuable the data you will obtain.
You should document at least ten dreams or twenty dream fragments in your dream journal before moving to the second step. Dream journal data acts like a barometer for the mind. To create a dream dictionary A-Z, we will need to add data and review it often.
Example: You wake up and jot down a dream. In it, you stand on a bridge over rushing water. A week later, you dream of the same bridge, but now it’s crumbling. Your journal shows that the “bridge” in your dreams comes up during major life changes. The “crumbling bridge” appears when you feel anxious. In this case, you have just identified a topology of a stress trigger.
Automatic Writing — Taps into subconscious symbols, emotions, and hidden scripts. These come through without any conscious effort. This tool augments the data you might obtain from the Enneagram and Repeating Question Exercise. It’s not mandatory, but some people find that it yields immediate insights.
Example: You sit with a blank page, write without thinking, and suddenly a phrase comes out: “The wolf guards the gate.” You don’t remember ever thinking about a wolf in your dreams, but when you check your dream journal, you notice a wolf appeared twice in the past month. Now you can explore what “gate” and “wolf” might mean in your personal symbolism.
The Enneagram — It is a psychometric tool that identifies beliefs and thought patterns tied to your personality. Understanding your instincts and type helps you see your true self beyond societal influences. Many find that their values come from culture, not their real beliefs or motivations.
Example: As a Type 6 (the Loyalist), you often dream of locked doors and security guards. Recognizing that your type seeks safety and certainty allows you to see these symbols as hints of your need for protection. We can use this understanding later to interpret dream symbols and meanings.
Comparative Analysis — A structured form of religious comparative study. Creating a belief template is something we think you must do before moving to the second step. The process of deciphering dreams and meanings requires full disclosure of beliefs and values.
Write a list of your most sacred beliefs and values. Rank them from the highest to the lowest. Reduce the list to the top ten. Then, research their history and map out their origins. As you create a dream dictionary, a-z, these will likely show up in the symbolism and typology.
This tool will give you the information to help you identify typologies and symbolism that trigger you. It will tell you the original meaning of the typology versus what you believe it is. Many people discover that their sacred icons represent themes they didn’t know about before. Often, the original meaning is far from what you believe it to represent.
Example: You list “The Cross” as a sacred symbol. Research shows that before Christianity, the cross represented the sun in many cultures. It gives you more ways to interpret the “cross” when it appears in your dreams. It might symbolize not just faith, but also cycles, seasons, or transformation.
Repeating Question Exercise — A process to explore the subconscious to uncover true answers and desires. It is a mandatory exercise before moving on to step two.
Take the beliefs that you landed on with Comparative Analysis and drill down to find out what they connect to in your psyche. This will also reveal symbols and typologies that you can use with the next tool, the Shamanic Journey.
Example: From your Comparative Analysis, you identified “forgiveness” as one of your core sacred values. You ask yourself, “What does forgiveness mean to me?” Your first answer is “Letting go of hurt.” You ask again, “Why is letting go important?” You answer, “Because holding on feels heavy.” You continue until you uncover a core belief: “If I don’t forgive, I won’t be worthy of love.” It reveals that forgiveness in your dreams may be tied to self-worth, not just moral duty.
The Shamanic Journey — This is a creative visualization exercise. It uses rhythm and guided imagery to create an altered state. It helps us identify and understand the symbolism of our psyche. The repeating question will give you the answer in words; the Shamanic Journey will draw you a landscape and put you in the middle of it.
We recommend using it in steps one and two. First, to identify typologies and symbols, then later to interpret them.
Take the symbols and typologies you’ve gathered so far and ask your spiritual guides in the shamanic journey to help you understand them. This is a key action in the process of deciphering dreams and meanings. It enables you to interact with the typologies of your psyche.
Example: You enter a guided shamanic state and meet the “wolf” from your automatic writing exercise. In this vision, the wolf leads you to a gate that opens into a forest. This interaction adds depth to the wolf symbol—it’s not just a guard but also a guide into the unknown.
Therapeutic Insights – Conversations with therapists or counselors can uncover psychological meanings behind dreams. Guidance from a third party is especially helpful in working through trauma. This is an optional step that many find helpful in providing an unbiased second opinion.
You often dream about your childhood home flooding. Your therapist helps you link this symbol to unresolved feelings about family issues. This gives you a deeper understanding of the “flood” symbol in your personal dream language.
Bestiaries and Dictionaries — These are historical texts with common views on dream symbols. Because they are outdated and impersonal interpretations, they are inaccurate. They can be a hindrance to finding an accurate interpretation.
Bottom line: the more valid personal data you have from journals and spiritual exercises, the better your results.
Second Step — Analyze The Data
The metaphors within the landscape of the mind differ for everyone. So, different people could have roughly the same dream but derive different meanings. One person dreams of jumping off a high place, and it is terrifying; another person finds it freeing, a way to fly.
Another example is fire. Fire has a traditional definition as a metaphor. Yet, the meaning you associate with it likely differs. In the past, fire often meant life, warmth, and a gift from the gods. It stood for survival, sacred power, passion, and change, but it was also associated with danger and destruction.
Today, fire still means passion and change. However, it’s also used for personal drive, rebellion, or something exciting and impressive. It can still mean danger, but it’s more often about energy, boldness, and standing out. Your personal experience with fire will impact the meaning. If you lost everything in a fire, then it may mean loss and destruction.
The life experiences of our current culture are very different from those of our ancient ancestors. The most accurate meaning of the symbolism in your dreams will come from your own experience.
These examples point out why deciphering dreams and meanings is unique.
2. Review and Organize your data sources
Scan the data sources from step one (journals and exercise data). Look for anything that stands out. Create a list of the data from the above sources. Some people like to use a spreadsheet, others prefer to make several handwritten lists. List the date, the source, and what the data is about. The format is up to you.
3. Identify Symbols and Typologies
Look for symbols and typologies that have personal meaning. Identify themes, especially those that repeat, including people and symbols or typologies. Note the themes and settings of dreams.
Remember, symbols are things that represent an idea or feeling. For example, a storm might symbolize anger or change. And Typologies are groups or categories used to sort things that are alike. In dreams, this means putting dreams into types, like scary dreams, adventure dreams, or dreams about flying.
Don’t try to interpret yet, just document. Create a list of these symbols and types. Be sure to flag any anomalies. Document things that look unusual or out of place.
4. Document the Data
Put the data into a format that makes sense to you. Some people stick with an alphabetical listing. Other groups think by category, such as religion, nature, buildings or rooms, workplace settings, etc.
Make a list of symbols, memorable images and feelings, colors, people, and animals.
List the frequency and variation of their appearance. Symbols and themes often recur. Note how they change over time.
Compare the timeline of data from dreams, therapeutic insights, and spiritual exercises. Look for a correlation between conscious thinking processes and subconscious messages. Don’t interpret, note the connections.
5. Create a Comprehensive List
Go back to your lists. Create a comprehensive list of the data. Alphabetize everything, list the symbols, typologies, people, animals, themes, and things. By alphabetizing, you may discover other memories or emotions.
Focusing on the letters of a word, rather than its meaning, helps you make personal connections and interpretations. This happens because you are reviewing the data in a different way. Make note of these discoveries.
The Third Step — Interpret Dream Symbols and Meanings
6. Seek Personal Meaning
Examine the symbols found in the analysis. Think about their emotional tone, how often they appear, and the context around them. Ask yourself: What do these symbols remind me of in my waking life?
Use psychological, spiritual, or cultural frameworks to explore meaning. For example:
- Enneagram Personality Profile (e.g., tri-type, triads, and instinctual stack)
- Jungian archetypes (e.g., the shadow, the hero)
- Spiritual symbolism (e.g., light as enlightenment)
- Personal associations (e.g., a dog might represent loyalty or fear depending on your experience)
7. Connect Deam Meaning to Personal Life
Relate dream themes to current emotions, challenges, or events. Dreams often reflect inner conflicts, desires, or unresolved issues. Spend time in contemplation and meditation. Allow time for the conscious mind to catch up and integrate the new insights.
8. Identify Messages or Lessons
Use the Delving Into Memories exercises to identify synchronicities and subliminal messages. Ask: Is the dream offering guidance, warning, or insight? Look for metaphors or symbolic narratives that suggest a deeper meaning.
Review your dream journal and pay attention to the fragments and partial recollections. If you spend time with them, they often open the memory to further recollections.
9. Reflect and Create Your Dictionary
Now you can compare the meaning of the dream with traditional stereotypes. You will likely find that the meaning you assign is very different from what you find in a standard dictionary. What you have done is create a dream dictionary A-Z that reflects your unique symbolism.
Spending time in nature, solitude, and meditation helps normalize insights. Don’t expect all the revelations to take place immediately. The process to interpret dream symbols and meanings is ongoing.
Conclusion
Your dreams use a personal language. They speak in symbols and patterns unique to you. No dream dictionary can capture your experiences, emotions, and beliefs. By collecting your own data, exploring your symbols, and reflecting deeply, you can find messages that relate to your life and growth.
So, tonight, pay attention to your dreams. Write down what you see, feel, and remember. Fill the pages with bridges, wolves, rivers, and stars. Follow the process outlined, and create a dream dictionary A-Z. This tool will become a sacred guide to understanding your inner truth.
References
- A cognitive theory of dream symbols. Journal of General Psychology, 1953.
- Dream content and waking-life experiences. Frontiers in Psychology, 2015.
- Dreaming and insight. Frontiers in Psychology, 2013.
- Expectation fulfilment theory of dreaming. Wikipedia.
- Cognitive neuroscience of dreams. Wikipedia.
- The Overfitted Brain Hypothesis. ArXiv, 2020.
- Herbert Silberer and autosymbolism. Wikipedia.