Those Shoes Mean Protection

Thu., March 23, 1995

Dear Nancy: I had this dream last night and I have no idea what it means. Can you help me? - Erica

My best friend and I are walking down a path in the woods. It is fall and the ground is covered with dry, fallen leaves. I am barefoot but my friend has shoes on. We come to an area where there are lots of angry bees coming from under the leaves. I see more bees on the path up ahead. I ask my friend to run to the car to get my shoes. She does.

Dear Erica: This dream is presenting you with a symbolic picture of your present path in life. Being barefoot shows that you are walking in freedom and childlike innocence. Bees are the makers of honey, the sweetness of life, but these bees are angry and that anger is mostly hidden under the leaves. This could be warning you that you may find yourself in a situation where you are the brunt of stinging remarks and veiled animosity. By asking for your shoes, you are acknowledging what is happening and are willing to protect yourself.

I would ask, “Is there a situation in my life where I feel attacked?” or “Is my own anger interfering with my progress?” By being honest with yourself and referring back to the dream, you will find the answer.

Dear Nancy: I woke up feeling good after this dream. What does it mean? - Marilyn

I was in my home walking down a staircase with two women right behind me. A huge 10- to 12-foot lizard was resting peacefully along the side of the stairway. He looked healthy and very regal and his eyes were closed. I decided it was safe to walk past him. I wanted to touch him, but I knew I wouldn’t out of respect. As I stepped forward, the two women behind me screamed in fear and didn’t want to go near him. This startled the lizard and he ran down the stairs, out of sight. I was disappointed when he left because I wanted to befriend him.

Dear Marilyn: This sounds like a teaching dream with the home representing the many aspects of yourself. The dream shows a stairway, which is a pathway to and from the different levels of consciousness. You are walking down the stairs which denotes movement toward the subconscious.

Lizards are hibernating animals and, because of this, they are symbols of rebirth and resurrection. They shed their skin, renewing themselves by peeling off old layers. You are admiring the lizard and respect him. The two women behind you are symbols of fears you have had in the past, but those fears are behind you. Your attraction and admiration for the animal shows that you are moving toward that renewal of self and shedding of old, outworn beliefs and ideas. A very positive dream!

Note to readers: Remember that only you can truly interpret your own dreams, so, if the definition of a symbol does not feel right to you, keep searching inside yourself to find the true meaning. Your symbols are your own; one person’s frightening monster will be another’s source of mystery and power.

xxxx

Nancy Bloom is a Chewelah resident who has studied dream interpretation for 15 years. Dreams may be sent to her, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, or fax, (509) 459-5098. Please send a short summary of the circumstances in your life and include your name, address and phone number. Nancy will call you if she chooses one of your dreams for use in this column.

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