Abbey
A spiritual aspect of your life is about to unfold. Buildings in dreams usually represent the dreamer, the body, or the various levels of the mind. The abbey is a holy place, ancient and free of pomp. It symbolizes the true you, your spiritual self. If the abbey is very old, consider exploring ancient wisdom, such as stories of the Celts or early Christian myths. These dreamlike tales will help trigger your spiritual awakening as you draw upon the ancient memories within the unconscious.
Mystical Meaning - Generally considered a good omen, but according to superstiition, a young woman dreaming of entering abbey foretells an illness. A ruined abbey predicts that plans will fail and if your way to the abbey is blocked, it augers that you will be saved from a ruinous mistake. To dream of an abbot means an illness or plot is afoot, but an abbess denotes happy friendships.

Abdomen (Lower Body)
Dreaming about any body part is a way to bring the dreamer's conscious attention to it. When, in your dream, you are feeling pain or discomfort in this area or any other area of the body, consider how well that part of your body is functioning in real life. Being health-conscious is a positive thing and both psychological and physical factors need to be considered. At times our unconscious knows that something is wrong even before we have any symptoms. "Old wives' tales" tell us that this is a dream of the contrary and that you will have lots of vigor and good health.
Mystical Meaning - Traditional folklore says that dreaming of your own abdomen promises great things that you must work hard for. It can also foretell of infidelity. A shriveled abdomen warns of lies; a swollen one promises ultimate success; and blood warns of tragedy within the family.

Abortion
A woman that had this experience is most likely to have many dreams about it. Even though the dream may be disturbing or anxiety-provoking, it is a healing dream. It is possible that in your dream state you are working toward acceptance and are resolving any unconscious feelings. If a man is having this dream, it usually means that he is experiencing guilt feelings and may be anticipating failure of some kind. If a woman who has not had this experience is having this dream, it may be a warning about her health or may indicate that she is feeling significant anxiety about current endeavors.

Abyss
Real or imagined problems may be creating anxiety. You may feel you are "falling into a pit of despair" or feel that your situation is abysmal. You may be "standing on the brink" of something and fear "taking the plunge." These feelings threaten you now, so it is important to examine your situation and discover the cause of these unpleasant emotions. A dark abyss may symbolize the unknown part of yourself. If you feel anxious, perhaps you are uncertain what you will discover about yourself and about your hidden feelings and fears. Dreams of this nature sometimes occur when you are thinking about death, not as a prediction but as a way of reminding yourself of the importance of life.
Mystical Meaning - An abyss is considered an omen foretelling financial difficulties. Be extremely careful in your business dealings. Some archaic systems warn of romantic, employment, or health problems ahead. The collective advice is: proceed with great caution in all your affairs.

Accidents
Your dream is not necessarily a premonition of the future. Nightmares of this type reveal deep anxieties and fears. The accident may symbolize your emotional state. Are you driving youself too hard? Perhaps you should slow down a bit. If your life feels as if it's set for disaster, examine your mistakes and resolve to set a new and better course. If the accident happens to someone else in your dream, examine your heart. Do you feel supressed hostility towards that person? Unexpressed jealousy, resentment, of hatred may be finding its release through your dream.
Mystical Meaning - The soothsayers say to take care for 24 hours following the dream. Some deam traditions believe that accidents on land symbolize business problems.

Actor
Sometimes dreaming about a famous actor or actress may be a wish-fulfilling dream, or it could hold important messages about ourselves. We admire celebrities and may wish to have some of their characteristics. Consider the personality traits or any other trait that attracts you to that person. This will help you figure out why you are dreaming about him or her. If you are dreaming that someone is acting, you may be dreaming about yourself. The dream could be pointing out some of the roles that you play in life. Among the many roles we play are parent, spouse, lover, student, professional, etc.. We behave somewhat differently in each of those roles. The actor in your dreams could be showing you how well you "play" some of your roles in life or how others perceive you.

Adultery
Many people seem to have dreams about committing adultery or about their spouse committing adultery (cheating or being cheated on). In this dictionary there is a definition for cheating and here I will add a few more thoughts about this dream topic. Many dreams come from the private unconscious and are a reflection on thoughts, fears, desires, issues or are a response to stressful or anxiety provoking situations. The details of the dream need to be considered before attempting an interpretation. Details such as who is cheating on whom and what are the circumstances surrounding this dream event, need to be established. At times people have dreams about cheating on their spouses as a response to a long and monogamous relationship. The dream may be a compensation for boredom, monotony or unhappiness. On the other hand, the dream could be about you connecting to deeper parts of self, which is represented by a desirable person of the opposite sex. On rare occasions a person may suspect, or feel on some level, that their mate is not faithful but is not willing to admit this consciously. Thus, in the dream state the individual confronts his fears and from there may begin to deal with the situation on a conscious level.
Mystical Meaning - A legal action may befall you if a man dreams of adultery. A woman dreamer will lose the affections of her husband. (Ancient dream dictionaries, written before the advent of women's rights, predicted far worse consequences for women than for men who had this dream.

Aging
Dreaming about old people or your own aging may have several different meanings. An old man may symbolize wisdom and forgiveness while an old woman may represent life and death. In general, aging may represent the wisdom that a person acquires through experience. The dream may also be giving you a message in regard to life's lessons. This may be a good time for you to apply some of your experience and knowledge to a current situation. This dream may also be a reflection of your concerns about aging. If you are thinking about your mortality and do not welcome maturing and age, the dream may be bringing out some of your worries and/or vanities.
Mystical Meaning - To dream of old people brings good luck, but to dream of growing old yourself is a sign of failure. To see a friend grow old suddenly is a warning of disappointment from that friend.

Air
Air represents wisdom and clarity. As an element it symbolizes spiritual concerns but in a dream it may be a warning of the dangers of losing contact with reality. As a breeze or wind it may represent the spirit that inspires or the force that animates.
Mystical Meaning - Old dream books claim that to dream of air means your hopes will wither away.

Airplane
It appears that people often dream about being in a plane crash, witnessing a crash, or being bombed or shot at from planes. Airplanes, like all other vehicles, symbolize a portion of your life's journey. The part of your life which is represented is usually a memory, material from your unconscious mind, or something that is physically far away from you. Since we use planes to travel to places that are far away, the logical progression of this interpretation is that the airplane is symbolic of an event, individuals, or emotions that are either in the past, physically apart from you, or deep in the unconscious and far from conscious thought. Disturbing dreams in which you are being bombed or where you see a bloody crash scene may be trying to bring up issues and feelings that have been buried in the unconscious mind (from the past or the present) but are still powerful and disturbing to the dreamer. The more powerful, vivid, and disturbing this dream is, the greater the necessity to interpret and obtain a satisfactory meaning.
Mystical Meaning - Most modern superstitions say that dreaming of an airplane indicates that money is on the way. If you are the pilot, you will succeed in a business adventure. If the plane crashes, a business will fail. Gypsies say that dreaming of an airplane indicates that you must share your enterprises with your relatives.

Alchemy
Carl Jung believed that the secret art of the alchemists was a system of symbols used to bring about the transformation of the personality from its base state (lead) to exalted spiritual consciousness (gold). Alchemical symbols are archetypal images from the unconscious. If you dream of alchemy you may be experiencing a period of inner transformation. It may be painful but is most definitely for the best.
Mystical Meaning - Alchemy was the medieval equivalent of modern psychology. Its strange symbolism can still invoke unconscious forces that bring about positive inner transformation.

Alcohol
Understanding the symbol of alcohol in your dreams depends on the relationship you have with it in daily life. If you drink regularly, you need to look at the other details of your dream more carefully. However, if you drink rarely or never, then this dream could represent a need for you to escape from your daily stress and your desire to get quick relief. The alcohol could be suggesting a need for healing and getting in balance. Your unconscious mind may be suggesting outrageous things in hopes that you get the message to "have fun, dream dreams, and get out of your own head!" Please keep in mind that the purpose of dreams is to raise our consciousness and to assist us in having better lives. The message in the dream about alcohol is most likely not encouraging you to drink but it may represent a need to feel better or get better.

Alien
Occasionally, people will have dreams about UFO's and aliens. What these dreams symbolize, collectively or individually is difficult to explain and understand. Meeting and talking to aliens may suggests that significant changes are coming into your life and, at the moment, things feel strange and foreign to you. If you dream that you are the alien, it suggests that you may feel detached from some parts of yourself and from others. You may be a stranger in your immediate surroundings, and some self-evaluation and familiarization is suggested.
Mystical Meaning - Aliens are (arguably) a product of modern times, so no traditional folkloric interpretations exist.

Alligator
This cold-blooded animal could hold several different meanings in your dream. It could symbolically represent something from your memory, emotions, or a current situation or individual in your life. Some think that the alligator represents verbal power used in a destructive way (angry and hurtful words). Others believe that it represents an enemy. Consider the details in your dream and your level of fear. This dream symbol should encourage you to look at some of your more "dangerous" emotions, memories, and experiences. The alligators in your dreams will begin to lose the power to frighten you as your understanding increases. Carl Jung said that all wild animals indicate latent affects (feelings and emotions that we do not readily deal with). They are also symbolic of dangers (hurtful and negative things) being "swallowed" by the unconscious.

Alter
From a religious standpoint, an alter can have a number of meanings. It is a place of sacrifice, so the dream may symbolize a personal sacrifice you have made or intend to make. Or it may mean that you have sacrificed something within yourself; something within you must die if a new, happy life is to be born. For example, you may sacrifice the ego so that more sincere feelings can manifest in your life. In addition, the alter may symbolize the wedding of the unconscious and the conscious mind, the union of opposites for the development of a one-sided personality. Or it may symbolize the consecration of something you deem sacred. Many dreams express themselves with puns. Maybe the dream is suggesting that you should "alter" your plans.
Mystical Meaning - To dream you are inside a church is usually considered a bad omen. It warns of error and repentance. To see a priest at the alter warns of quarrels and problems at home or in business. However to see a church from the outside brings good fortine and blessing.

Ambulance
In old dream dictionaries, dreaming about an ambulance could be labeled as a dream of warning. In more modern terms, your unconscious mind may by attempting to convey information that you have been unwilling to deal with consciously. Pay attention to your physical body and see if your health is an issue. Otherwise, this dream may be pointing to some urgent situation in your life. Consider all of the details in your dream. Examine your daily life and make an attempt to see if there is something that requires your immediate attention.

Amputation
This is a frightening dream which may be due to anxiety and fear. It suggests feelings of frustration, anger, and powerlessness on the part of the dreamer. This dream may also be related to a radical removal of something from one's life. Some believe that you are trying to get rid of something that is no longer desirable or necessary or that the limb or the part being amputated has lost its power. According to New Age thinking, the right side of the body is usually associated with the ability to give emotionally, psychologically and physically to yourself and others, while the left is linked with the ability to receive. Carl Jung said that the left side represents the unconscious while right indicates the conscious.

Amusement Park
This dream may be pointing to one of your perceptions about life or be symbolic of life itself. You may see some parts of your life as lively, interesting, adventurous and entertaining. On the other hand, depending on the details of the dream you may see yourself as being on a wild ride, where nothing is terribly serious and life is a perpetual "roller coaster ride." If you have been dealing with a significant amount of stress in your daily life or have been overworked, this dream may be a form of compensation. The dream's message may be to encourage you to find time for fun and relaxation as well as to remind you that life is full of ups and downs and that a light-hearted attitude may be a refreshing change.

Anchor
Dream interpretation is very personal and each dream speaks to you in the most intimate way. The anchor symbol could have varying meaning depending on what is going on in your life. It may be saying "Stay put!" or "This is a good place to lay down your anchor." Dreams involving anchors are hints from your unconscious and may suggest a need to reflect and economize.
Mystical Meaning - An old superstitions states that if a woman dreams of an anchor, one of her children will choose a life as a sailor. It is also favorable for a sailor to dream of an anchor. For the rest of us, it means a change of residence or foreign travel. Generally it is considered a good omen, but if the anchor is in the water or partly hidden in any way, expect disappointment.

Angels
In the past ten years there has been a renewed appreciation and interest in angels. They represent goodness, protection, and the heavenly realm. As a dream symbol they may attempt to focus the dreamer's attention on his own divine qualities and the supportive and loving aspects of life. Some say that dreaming about angels is a symbol of good luck, while others believe that you will see an angel in your dream around the time when there is a birth or death in your family, or in your close circle of friends. Angels are mystical and spiritual symbols; traditionally they have been the messengers of God. The interpretation of your dream angel depends on your own views. Generally, the message coming up from your unconscious may be of important magnitude, so record your dream and think about all of its details and implications.
Mystical Meaning - Considered a fortunate dream symbol, to dream of angels predicts good fortune in love, partnerships, and friendships. Several angels means you will receive an inheritance and, if an angel enters your home, you will be wealthy.

Anger
This may be a carry-over from your daily life. In our dreams we can experience and express such feelings safely. Feeling great anger in your dream may be disturbing but pay attention to it and attempt to deal with all of your emotions in a more appropriate and productive manner.
Mystical Meaning - According to some timeworn sources, anger in a dream denotes an unlawful trial that awaits you. It foretells disappointment in love and attacks on your character. However, if you are angry with a stranger, unexpected good news is on its way. An invitation is likely.

Animals
Carl Jung said that all wild animals indicate latent affects (feelings and emotions that we do not readily deal with). They are also symbolic of dangers (hurtful and negative things) being "swallowed" by the unconscious. The interpretation of the animal in your dream depends on your relationship with it in daily life. Animals represent the qualities in our character or specific aspects of our personalities. They could symbolize our more intuitive and instinctive parts, or they could serve as messengers for the unconscious. Please look up each animal individually by name.
Mystical Meaning - To dream of an animal is considered an omen for the future. Peaceful cows and bulls are considered particularly good omens, but try hard never to dream of crocodiles, dogs, or cats, for these bring troubles. In the Far East, to dream of a green monkey means that a medicine will not work. Indeed, to even think about a green monkey while taking medicine stops it from working. Next tme you take medicine, try not thinking about a green monkey...it's impossible, of course.

Anxiety
Experiencing much anxiety in your dream state may be related to your current difficulties and everyday life. Gaps may exist between the way things are and the way you would like them to be. Older interpretation books suggest that when you dream about anxiety, the contrary is true and that your worries will be lessened. However, always keep the compensatory nature of dreams in mind. If you are not feeling anxiety during the day, it could be that you are ignoring it and that it will appear in your dream. Therefore, look at the details of your dream and attempt to identify the anxiety-provoking situations in your daily life.
Mystical Meaning - Superstition says that anxiety dreams have the opposite meaning, showing that worry will very soom be relieved. In some ways this is true, for by expressing your fears in your dreams you come a little closer to resolving your hidden fears.

Ape
The dream may simply be a pun: i.e., "You're making an ape of yourself." You may be making an egotistical mistake of some kind. Apes are known to be gentle, so the dream may also symbolize the part of you that wants to behave more naturally and return to a simpler archaic past. A sinister ape may symbolize the dark, repressed side of your nature.
Mystical Meaning - Bad news, I'm afraid. To dream of apes means that people will deceive you, and a mischief is afoot. Be particularly careful of false promises connected with business. If the ape is in a tree, someone close to you will tell lies that will cause widespread trouble.

Apology
This dream always has something to say about our relationships, the relationship that we have with ourselves and/or with others. Apologies are associated with forgiveness and honesty. Thus, consider the details of your dream and consider whether an apology is necessary in order for you to move forward in a particular relationship or with an area of your personal life.

Apple
This simple and basic fruit is a powerful symbol in religious writings, literature and in dreams. It fundamentally represents knowledge and the freedom that is associated with it. With knowledge and freedom we are in a position to make positive or negative choices. The apple should be interpreted with the consideration of all the other details in the dream. Is the apple a symbol of positive movement and spiritual and emotional liberation, or is it a symbol of runaway passions and the resulting negativity? Are you giving into temptation and making hurtful choices or are being wise and enjoying the fullness of life?
Mystical Meaning - It is a good omen to dream of apples, particularly if they are red. Dreaming of ripe and sweet apples promises you will be rrewarded, but if the apples are sour you are in danger of loss because of your own foolishness. Fallen apples on the ground warn of false friends. And if the apple is decayed, all your efforts will be hopeless.

Aquarium
Water in all forms is a very meaningful symbol. It may represent emotions, the unconscious, sexuality, and, at times, life itself. Before interpreting this symbol first consider the other details in the dream and the overall quality of the dream experience. The aquarium could represent a portion of your life or a "slice of life." Aquariums are generally balanced and fully contained ecosystems. People enjoy aquariums because they find them soothing and relaxing. Thus, this dream's message may be a call for contemplation and relaxation. It may represent life in a small setting as a compensation to the stress and, at times, overwhelming complexity of daily experiences.

Armor
Armor could represent your defense mechanisms, those things that you use to protect yourself from self and/or others (e.g. denial and repression). Physical barriers may keep others away, as will your more negative behaviors and attitudes. On a more spiritual note, some believe that dreaming about armor may be a good sign which represents a shield of protection from difficulties and temptation.
Mystical Meaning - If you dream of wearing armor, including breastplate, chain mail, or thick leather jerkin, tradition says you are taking life too seriously. Lighten up and enjoy life. People who believe in reincarnation may interpret this dream as a reference to a past life. If historical facts are revealed within the dream, see if they are true. You may be recalling mysterious memories from lives long ago.

Arrow
The interpretation of this dream symbol may vary depending if the arrow was a tool or a weapon, or a sign pointing direction. Dreaming about an actual arrow may have a range of meaning that includes swiftness, powerful and speedy intuition, mental alertness, precession, illuminating thoughts, and, last but not least, it could be a phallic symbol. To interpret the dream, consider its setting, context and emotional tone. Then, attempt to connect and apply the suggested symbolism to your current situation or state of mind.
Mystical Meaning - "Expect journeys, entertainment, and festivals," says one medieval source. To dream of being stuck by an arrow means you have a secret enemy. A broken arrow portends disappointment in love or business.

Artist
This may represent the creative and intuitive side of your nature. You may feel a need to express yourself and may have the urge to be more creative. If you're painting a picture it may show the way you picture your situation at the moment. You are probably starting to see things more clearly.
Mystical Meaning - You may have to revise your plans in order to attain recognition. If you talk about art in your dream you may expect an upturn in your business or professional status.

Ashes
After the fire has gone, dull, lifeless ash remains. You may be feeling that the good times are over and nothing of value is left in your life. Alternatively, you may be raking over the past or dwelling upon something that is finished. Ashes may represent a failed relationship or ruinous business enterprise. In Hinduism, ashes are a symbol of the indestructible soul. After everything has been reduced by fire, ash is what remains. It is the indestructible part of yourself.
Mystical Meaning - To dream of ashes is a bad omen. Crops will fail, business deals will go wrong, and children will cause problems for their parents. Gypsies, however, say it means you will finally cease to mourn lost chances of the past. Many tribal societies consider ashes to be a positive symbol of fertility and good luck. In England and the United States ashes are said to ward off evil spirits.

Attack
Research shows that the content of most dreams is more frequently unpleasant than pleasant. Most people have experienced violent dreams or dreams in which they are being attacked. To understand your dream consider all of its details and think about whether you are the attacker or the attackee. If you are being attacked, then maybe you are feeling somewhat vulnerable in some area of your daily life. If you are doing the attacking, it may be that you are releasing some of your frustrations and anger while expressing negative feelings in such ways that you are unable to do in daily life.

Attic
Any part of a house usually represents a part of yourself (dreamer = house). The attic is the last thing built. Consider the details of the dream and try to figure out what your unconscious is trying to tell you. Some believe that the attic symbolizes the higher self, or best self (i.e. the self that is in contact with the eternal). Others think that the attic symbolizes the sum total of your life's work or it may predict how well you will do in old age. If the attic is full of "neat" stuff, it may imply that you are accomplishing wonderful things and are living up to your potential in this lifetime.

Audition
Social vulnerabilities are highlighted, and you may fear that you are unable to communicate effectively with others. You feel as if your social role in life is being tested. Dreams like this may occur soon after starting a new job or undertaking a socially challenging role. You may also dream of being unable to make yourself heard over the noise of others, of being laughed at or tongue-tied, or may have a feeling of impending disaster. All these images express feelings of social vulnerability. An unruly audience may show your inability to get your ideas across. The absence of an audience may show a lack of recognition.
Mystical Meaning - Most dreams associated with actors, actresses, and the stage are considered fortunate, but to see them wandering and penniless foretells that your good fortune will be reversed. To dream of public speaking is also fortunate, but speaking from a pulpit bodes sickness and business failure.

Avalanche
The material which makes up the avalanche is snow, and snow is frozen water. Water symbolizes your emotions, the unconscious, and, at times, life itself. Therefore, this dream is about rapidly and violently descending emotions and thoughts. Emotions which may have been repressed have finally been unlocked and may be overwhelming you. You may have this dream during emotionally turbulent times of your life, or in your dreams you may be remembering and reliving some difficult emotional experiences. Old dream interpretation books say that burial in an avalanche may result in good luck in the near future. Therefore, they think that it is a dream of the contrary.
Mystical Meaning - Mystics say it is tremendously fortunate to dream of an avalanche, particularly if you are buried in the snow. It portends profit and wealth. To see others buried in an avalanche indicates a change of surroundings.

Awakening
To dream of awakening may represent a new awareness that is unfolding in your life. However, it may mean that you are on the verge of lucid dreaming. In this remarkable state of consciousness you "wake up" in the dream and realize you are dreaming as the dream is taking place. In this state, the dreamer can direct the dream like a film director. Lucid dreams can be used creatively or to help resolve psychological problems. For example, someone with recurrent dreams of being chased, in a lucid dream might be able to turn around, stare down the stalker and unmask the fears hitherto run from. Native Americans have practiced lucid dreaming techniques for centuries.
Mystical Meaning - To dream that you are awake and walking through a beautiful landscape denotes good times ahead after a period of difficulty. People who consciously cultivate their psychic ability to use special techniques to "wake up" during dreams in order to look into the future. One mthod is to imagine being in a time machine. The dream moves into the future and the psychic recieves a premonition of future events.

Axe
An axe is generally associated with destruction. We use it to break things up, and in popular horror movies it is used to kill people. The axe can also be used to carve and create art, furniture or other tools. If your dream was violent, then you may be experiencing frustration, anger and hostility. If there was no violence in your dream, then the axe may be positively interpreted as a symbol of productivity and creativity. Either way, an axe is a powerful tool, and as a dream symbol it may be saying something about your personal power and its expression.
Mystical Meaning - Apart from clearly warning of danger, the axe has some strange dream lore associated with it. To dream of a shiny axe signifies gratifying rewards, but a dull one means loss of prestige. An axe also means that you will soon hear from friends. For an unmarried woman, this dream means she will meet the man of her dreams but he will never have any money.