Symbolic Of Freedom, Strength

This column is intended as entertainment. But psychologists who work with clients’ dreams say that dreams can hold a tremendous amount of significance; a particularly disturbing or repetitive dream may indicate the need to see a therapist.

Dear Nancy: This was one of the strangest dreams I’ve ever had. I’ve always been afraid of horses so I can’t figure this one out! - Tamara

I am standing before a horse. I raise my arms up and the horse stands up on his hind legs. He puts his front hooves on my hands and we dance!

I fall to the ground on my back because of his weight and I flip the horse over me to his back in a playful way. I felt happy and joyful throughout this dream.

Dear Tamara: What a great dream! Dreaming of a horse suggests that you are reviewing aspects of freedom and progress in your life. Horses gave man the gift of being able to travel great distances and their strength could be harnessed for hard physical labor.

Dancing is a symbol of lightheartedness and of two elements coming together. Dancing with the horse suggests that you are actively engaging in bringing the animal’s strengths and attributes into your life.

Have you been feeling constricted? Are you feeling ready for some travel and possibly a new direction in your life? I would ask, “How can I create more freedom and growth in my life?”

In Native American and other traditions in the world, a dream like this may signify that the horse is your “totem” animal. By aligning yourself with the horse, you can access the animal’s qualities and use them in your world. You will grow stronger and have more freedom by using these natural abilities and in this way the horse becomes your teacher.

Dear Nancy: My husband is divorcing me against my wishes. I still dearly love him and want to remain a family but he won’t even talk to me. Does this dream apply to my situation? - Angie

I am putting my son to bed and lock his bedroom window. I lie down also and begin to hear creaking sounds. I get out of bed and reach out of the window I have just locked and grab a hand. I realize it is my husband’s. I wake up.

Dear Angie: Dreams like these tend to be direct pictures of life situations and this one illustrates your relationship with your husband. He is outside the house which shows the separation between you. The house may represent you and windows are openings and views to the outside world. Locking the window suggests you are protecting yourself or possibly closing yourself off.

Hands are generally symbols of the expressive and creative part of our lives. Your husband’s hand was just outside the window. Perhaps he was extending his hand or reaching in. This may be your “wishful thinking,” wanting him to connect with you, or it could be that he is actually trying to connect. You grab his hand so the connection is made. This is a clue that you want to hold on to the relationship.

Each dream we have gives us a challenge or a gift. This one seems to be asking you to be aware and alert for any opportunity for connection with your husband.

Possibly, by reaching out with a hand of friendship, a peaceful resolution can occur in your relationship.

xxxx