Fish Often Symbolizes Life’S Changes

Thu., Sept. 9, 1999

Nancy Huseby Bloom The Spokesm

Dear Nancy: I am a 50-year-old woman. I was greatly challenged during 1998 with lots of medical and family problems. So far 1999 has been great, and I’ve been able to do some volunteer work that would have been impossible last year. I’m curious about this dream I had a short time ago. The young man has been in my dreams before, but I don’t know him. - Dana

My husband and I are shopping in a fish market. He’s going to barbecue a huge piece of fish. I see a small ocean creature scurry across the market’s floor. I think it might be good to barbecue and chase it until I finally catch it.

The female fish seller looks scared.

I realize the creature I caught is an octopus with its legs pulled in tight to hide.

I pick it up and lay it against my chest on the right side. It relaxes its arms and snuggles up to me. It feels very loving, and I lay my head against its head.

I love the octopus. I look at the fish seller and see love in her eyes. The octopus turns into a beautiful dark-skinned young man, the fish seller’s son.

Dear Dana: The fish market is an interesting setting.

In dreams, markets often represent shopping around for new ways of seeing and doing things. You’re in a position to select what you want.

The fish is a common symbol of creativity and spirituality. At the time of the dream you were re-evaluating your life and looking for more spiritual or creative options.

When I asked you on the telephone to describe the qualities of an octopus you said, “They are shy, gentle and very sensitive to their environment.”

You conveyed a strong emotional connection to them. Are these qualities you already have, or are developing and using? Interestingly, the octopus “pulled in tight to hide” and then expanded and snuggled as you embraced it.

Was your spirit contracted as you went through your difficult year? Are you expanding emotionally and spiritually now that life is not so difficult?

Laying your head against the octopus’ head shows a tender connection that’s both mental and psychological. The octopus with its eight legs has many opportunities to give and receive.

During our telephone conversation, I asked if you are finding ways to give more fully to yourself and others, and you immediately said, “Yes! I’m definitely taking better care of myself, and my friends showed me so much love and support last year that I’m trying to pass it on in any way I can.”

The octopus, with its outspread arms, could represent a life that is spread in many directions. Do you have more than one job or lots of hobbies, friends and interests?

As you embrace and truly love the octopus, it turns into the fish seller’s beautiful son. Perhaps by embracing the octopus you have also embraced your own male essence. Or maybe the young man is one of your spiritual guides or teachers.

If you have been recording your dreams, it would be interesting and informative to go back and check the context and messages of previous dreams in which the young man appeared. Try going back into the dream and talking with him. Ask who he is and if he has any messages for you.

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