Theresa Cheung - The Dream Dictionary from A to Z [Revised edition]

Advocate

(DREAM IMAGES: ATTORNEY, DEFENDER, ENVIRONMENTALIST, LEGISLATOR, LOBBYIST)

The advocate embodies social justice and a sense of devotion to championing the rights of others in the public arena. The shadow advocate manifests in commitment to false or negative causes, or in committing to causes for personal gain. If this figure appears in your dreams, you should ask yourself how much of your life is dedicated to the welfare of others, and a willingness to take action on their behalf.

Alchemist

(DREAM IMAGES: INVENTOR, MAGICIAN, SCIENTIST, WIZARD, ETC.)

The alchemist, wizard, and magician are capable of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Whereas a wizard is associated with magical powers, the magician tends to be seen more as an entertainer. The alchemist tries to turn base metals into gold, but in its highest manifestation, alchemy seeks complete spiritual transformation. The scientist and inventor are associated with advances and developments in human history. The shadow sides of these archetypes are found in the misuse of the power and knowledge to transform people’s lives. This archetype may appear in your dreams if your work or living situation demands that you be especially inventive. On the other hand, it could suggest that you, or someone you know, may be using skills and knowledge for unethical purposes.

Androgynous Being

(DREAM IMAGES: HALF-MAN/HALF-WOMAN, HERMAPHRODITE, TRANSVESTITE)

The symbol of a person who has attained the perfect balance of male and female characteristics, an androgynous being represents the union of opposites, an important idea in Jung’s theory. In dreams, this archetype is not so much referring to your sexual nature, but more to the union of your inner and outer world. Your interpretation will depend on how this dream image made you feel; were you relaxed and natural, or did you feel repulsed or confused? The latter suggests disharmony, while the former suggests harmony.

Angel

(DREAM IMAGES: FAIRY GODMOTHER/GODFATHER)

Angels are typically represented as winged beings who intervene at times of great need, or for the purpose of delivering a message of guidance or instruction from God to human beings. Therefore in dreams, angels represent your higher self-image and offer guidance from within, but they can also represent an evil being of similar powers: the fallen angel who has been led astray, or is leading other people astray. Bear in mind, too, that the dream may refer to someone in your life who is an angel because of the loving and nurturing qualities of character that they embody. One may also play the role of a fairy godmother or godfather by helping someone.

See also ANGEL.

Artist

(DREAM IMAGES: ARTISAN, CRAFTSPERSON, SCULPTOR, WEAVER, ETC.)

In dreams, the artist archetype suggests the need for self-expression. The shadow artist indicates an eccentric nature and the madness that often accompanies genius. In evaluating your relationship to this archetype, recognize that the need to inspire others in some way – for example through teaching, writing, listening, and encouraging – is as much an expression of the artist archetype as actually holding a brush in your hand.

Athlete

(DREAM IMAGES: FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, OLYMPIAN, SPORTSPERSON, ETC.)

This archetype represents the ultimate expression of the strength of the human spirit as represented in the power and magnificence of the human body. Athlete dreams should not be interpreted in terms of whether your body is perfect in form and function, but whether you have the willpower and strength of spirit to achieve your goals. The shadow aspect of athletes may manifest in dreams about cheating, suggesting a lack of honor in yourself or someone you know.

Avenger

(DREAM IMAGES: AVENGING ANGEL, MESSIAH, SAVIOR)

This archetype suggests a need to balance the scale of justice in your waking life. Dreams about bringing war criminals to trial, or legally pursuing corporations that harm society, or saving the world from impending disaster are examples of the avenger archetype in action. The shadow side of the avenger manifests in dreams with acts of violence and a burning desire to get even at all costs as their themes.

Beggar

(DREAM IMAGES: HOMELESS PERSON, INDIGENT, ETC.)

Homeless and penniless, the beggar is associated with dependence on the kindness of others, living on the streets, starvation, and disease. It is easy to believe that when this archetype appears in your dreams, the interpretation should be a negative one, but this isn’t always the case. People don’t just beg for money; they can also beg for attention, love, authority, success, and material objects. Learning about the nature of generosity, compassion, and humility, and understanding what it is you really need, are fundamental to interpreting this dream image.

Bully

(DREAM IMAGES: COWARD, DEMANDING BOSS/TEACHER, GANG OF INTIMIDATING THUGS, SCHOOL BULLY, ETC.)

The archetype of the bully manifests the core truth that the spirit is always stronger than the body, and your relationship to this archetype should be evaluated within a framework far more expansive than evaluating whether you bully people or are being bullied. Consider whether in waking life you are giving up on things and people too easily. Conventional wisdom holds that underneath a bully is a coward trying to keep others from discovering their true identity. If the theme of cowardice or intimidation by a boss, teacher, or gang of thugs appears in your dreams, perhaps your unconscious is urging you to stand up to being bullied by your own inner fears.

Child

(DREAM IMAGES: CHILD OF NATURE, DIVINE BEING, MAGICAL/INNOCENT, ORPHAN, BEING WOUNDED)

The child of nature archetype inspires deep, intimate bonding with natural forces. Although the nature child is loving and giving, it can also have an inner toughness and ability to survive – the resilience of Nature herself. Nature children can develop advanced skills of communicating with animals, and in dreams reflecting this archetype, an animal often comes to the rescue of its child companion. Such dreams can reflect a compassionate, nature-loving aspect of our character, or the need to stop abusing the environment (understood in its widest sense) and reconnect with nature.

The magical child embodies qualities of wisdom and courage in the face of difficult circumstances. In dreams, it suggests the power of imagination and the belief that everything is possible. If, however, the magic is not put to positive use, the dream image is a negative one, and indicates lack of energy and action in waking life.

The orphan child is the major character in most well-known children’s stories, including Bambi , Cinderella , Hansel and Gretel , The Little Mermaid , Little Orphan Annie , The Matchstick Girl , Snow White , and many more. The pattern in these stories is often reflected in the dreams of people who feel from birth as if they are not a part of their family or community, or who fear surviving alone in this world.

The wounded child archetype in dreams holds the memories of the abuse, neglect and other traumas that may have been endured during childhood. From a spiritual perspective, a wounded childhood cracks open the learning path of forgiveness. The shadow aspect may manifest as an abiding sense of self-pity, a tendency to blame your parents for your current shortcomings and to resist moving on through forgiveness.