Posts Tagged dream world

Dreams of Teeth

27 August 2009

Dreams about teeth, particularly dreams where the dreamer finds his or her teeth falling out, are much more common than you might think. Some common forms of this dream include dreams in which the dreamer’s teeth crumble in his or her hands, or dreams in which the teeth fall out with just a light touch.

These dreams can be extremely frightening, even more so than chase dreams or falling dreams. In addition, such dreams often leave the dreamer with an image that is hard to shake even after waking.
There are many theories about just what teeth, and losing teeth, represent in the dream world, and these can be some of the most difficult dreams to interpret. One theory holds that dreams about teeth, and losing teeth, are a reflection of the dreamer’s anxiety about his or her appearance, and about how the dreamer thinks others perceive him or her.

This interpretation is certainly valid, especially since we live in a society that seems to value physical beauty above all else. Since a good set of teeth play an important role in physical beauty, it is easy to see how uncertainties about one’s appearance could manifest themselves in dreams about losing teeth.

Since teeth play such an important role in physical attraction scenarios, such as flirting and getting the attention of the opposite sex, dreams of losing teeth can be manifestations of fears of getting old, fears of sexual impotence or other dating related anxieties.

Other interpretations of dreams of losing teeth hold that they are representations of fear of embarrassment or making a fool of oneself. For instance, someone who is dreading a potentially embarrassing situation, such as making a speech or other public speaking engagement, may dream of his or her teeth falling out.

This type of dream would represent an exaggeration of already present fears or anxieties brought on by the upcoming event. People who are troubled by dreams of losing teeth or teeth falling out should examine their own lives for the source of possible embarrassment or appearance based anxieties.

Another theory holds that teeth in dreams represent power, since they are used in real life to tear, chew, and bite. Therefore, the loss of teeth in a dream represents a perceived loss of power or influence. People who feel frustrated, or who feel that their voices are not being heard, may have dreams about losing teeth. Feeling ineffective, or feelings of inferiority, are often associated with such dreams as well.

Finally, some of the latest dream research has revealed that women have more frequent dreams about teeth as they enter menopause. These dreams about teeth may be related to anxieties about appearance and fears of getting older.

There are of course other interpretations of dreams of missing or losing teeth. There are interpretations of this dream in a number of cultures around the world, further testament to the fact that teeth are a common dream theme in many cultures.

One biblical interpretation of the dream of losing teeth holds that the bad teeth mean the dreamer is placing his or her faith in the works of man rather than in the word of God. Thus the falling teeth in the dream are urging the dreamer to turn back to God for guidance.

The ancient Greeks believed that dreams about loose, rotting or missing teeth were warnings that a close friend or family member was very ill or near death.

The Chinese hold that teeth falling out is a punishment for lying, and that dreams of falling teeth are manifestations of guilt over telling lies.
Some have even suggested that dreams of missing teeth are associated with money. This connection probably goes back to the old tooth fairy story, where children are rewarded with money for putting their lost teeth under their pillows.

Some Common Dream Symbols

7 August 2009

Dream interpreters, from the earliest Greek and Roman societies, to Sigmund Freud, to modern therapists and dream researchers, have long recognized the symbolic nature of dreams.  Unlike the real world, in dreams things are often not as they appear.  What appears to be a normal, everyday object in your dream world is often anything but ordinary.

Learning to recognize and interpret these objects, and learning about your dreams can be an exciting and fun exercise as well as a great learning experience.  Since dreams and their symbols are often manifestations of real fears and anxieties, dreams can provide much help in working through these serious issues.

Let’s examine a few of the most common dream symbols and scenarios.

Dreaming Of School

Dreams of school, including taking tests, forgetting about a test, showing up to school without your books, and they like are among the most common of dreams for students and non students alike.

For those currently in school, dreams about school can be reflections of anxiety about grades, peers, social issues and other concerns.  For those who are not in school, dreaming about school or taking a test is often a manifestation of anxiety about work, or even your personal life.   Dreaming about school is often related to your latest lesson in life.

Dreaming Of A Car Or Other Vehicle

Dreams of driving in a car or other vehicle often symbolize a desire to escape.  Cars and other forms of transportation represent freedom, and dreaming of driving, especially of driving fast, can symbolize a desire to get away from an unpleasant or undesirable task.

Dreams about car crashes or near misses can symbolize the feeling of being out of control.  Such dreams often occur when you are feeling overwhelmed by pressure and unable to cope with the stresses of everyday life.

Dreams in which you are the passenger instead of he driver can also symbolize this sort of lack of control.  This is especially true if the vehicle in the dream seems to be out of control.  Such dreams may signal a need to relax and avoid additional stress.

Dreams About Houses

Dreams about a the house you grew up in can represent a desire to go back in time to when life is simpler.  These dreams often occur at turning points in our lives, such as just after college graduation, prior to a marriage, or during or after a move.

Dreaming about an unfamiliar or threatening house can represent a fear of the unknown or an unwillingness to change.  Again, these dreams often take place during times of upheaval or change, and they can be your unconscious mind’s reaction to such sudden change.

Dreams About Tornadoes

If you live near an area prone to tornadoes, or if you have been the victim of such a force, then a tornado can simply be a tornado.  Unpleasant experiences can be relived through dreams, but most of the time the tornadoes we dream about are symbolic and not literal.

Most of the time, a tornado represents an emotional turmoil.  People in such a state are often described as being whirlwinds of emotions, so a tornado is a fitting symbol of that state.  Dreams of tornadoes often accompany sudden upheavals or changes in life, such as a sudden career change or cross country move.  A dream about a tornado can indicate that you feel your life is spinning out of control.  Those experiencing tornado centered dreams may want to take a step back, meditate and concentrate on the positive aspects of change.

Dreams About Telephones

Dreams about telephone often carry important messages that the dreamer needs to pay close attention to.  When interpreting a dream about a telephone, it is important to pay attention to the details.  For instance, did you initiate the call, or did someone call you?  Was the voice on the other end of the telephone friendly or threatening?  Can you hear the other party or is their static on the line?  These details of a telephone dream can give you valuable insights into just what is being communicated.

Understanding Dream Analysis and Interpretation

10 July 2009

While it is true that no one knows the exact origins of dream analysis and interpretation, it is safe to assume that there has been some sort of dream analysis going on as long as their have been dreams.  It is also a safe bet that dreams have been around as long as human beings have, and maybe even before.
For instance, some animals, such as cats and dogs, are known to dream, so it is probably true that our ancient ancestors had dream worlds of their own.

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