Dreams can be muddled: one image after another, with no obvious link. They can be strange, unsettling, even frightening.

On a bedside table in the morning: an open notebook, a pen, a small brass key and a glass of water

In ancient times, dreams were thought to be omens. People feared they might be premonitions and would eventually come true.

A fragile spider's web in the corner of a wooden window, lit by morning light

From the late 19th century onwards, and especially with Freud, dreams came to be seen as a route into the unconscious — the part of the mind that speaks up and brings forward the troubles and anxieties its dreamer may be suffering.

They can seem to stage memories that are distant or forgotten, desires we would not admit to and sometimes forbidden ones, anxieties… Some psychoanalytic approaches suggest they help the mind keep its balance while awake, and allow it to confront anxieties and concerns it could not carry all the time.

Have you dreamed that your partner was cheating on you, or that you killed someone? No, it is not a premonition, and no, you are not a repressed murderer. But in some psychoanalytic and symbolic traditions, infidelity and murder have meaning. Here are a few possible interpretations of dream figures that often recur in these traditions.

The death of someone close: in these traditions, it is not a bad omen for the 'deceased' in your dream, but rather a sign that your relationship with that person needs to change. The death of someone you are in conflict with could mean you need to move on and get past that conflict. The death of a loved one you are very attached to might mean you need to think about protecting yourself and staying whole, and to take care not to depend too much on that person.

A white flower placed on a stone, for the dream of a loved one's death
A dream of loss is mostly about relationships that need reimagining

Have you dreamed that your partner was unfaithful? Don't take it as a sign that they want someone else. Read it instead as a possible sign that you do not have enough confidence in yourself and in your ability to keep them; perhaps you do not feel good enough for them?

Have you dreamed that you killed someone? It may suggest you feel a strong anger towards that person, or have significant grievances against them, whether you are conscious of them or not. You may need to try talking to them, at least to free yourself from the feeling and lay it to rest.

Have you dreamed of a spider? No, it probably doesn't reflect your disgust at these small creatures. It may be a sign of anxiety, of something that is worrying or preoccupying you. If the spider chases you in the dream, tell yourself that whatever is bothering you needs sorting out as soon as possible to restore your peace of mind.

A spider motionless at the centre of its web, symbol of an anxiety dream
In dreams, the spider points to what is still on our mind

Have you dreamed of a baby? Several meanings are possible: perhaps you need to feel protected, to have someone strong and reassuring near you. Or perhaps you still feel like a child? Your relationships with your partner or parents may not be allowing you to grow and flourish as you would like.

A cradle with soft linen, echoing the baby dream and the need to feel protected
Dreaming of a baby: the wish for a reassuring cocoon

Have you dreamed of jewellery and beautiful clothes? Are you trying to please someone? A need for recognition, a wish to seduce someone who seems out of reach, a need to be looked at and noticed… Jewellery and clothes are adornments that enhance and reveal beauty — and, in some people's minds, even a person's value.

A gold ring and silky fabric, symbols of a dream about adornment
Jewellery and beautiful clothes: the dream of being looked at

Are you in a cage, or imprisoned in some way in your dream? Then it is possible you want your life to change, to take a new direction; perhaps you are no longer satisfied with the way you live. If you have been thinking about changing or moving, think about it seriously — maybe now is the time…

Sky glimpsed through bars, an image of a dream about being trapped
Dreaming of being trapped: the wish for life to change course

As you will have gathered, understanding your dreams may help you understand yourself better, move forward, and let go of what is preoccupying you and holding you back, whether you are aware of it or not. The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung argued that linking conscious and unconscious life is important for mental stability and even physiological health. So don't reject your dreams; use them to your advantage and learn to know yourself so you can live more peacefully.

Dream analysis cannot be complete or exact without knowing the dreamer's past, life context and state of mind. In some traditions — Freudian psychoanalysis, Jungian psychology, and other dream traditions — these images are read as interpretations: the baby, the spider, jewellery, the sea and so on take on meanings that vary according to the person and context, rather than having one precise, universal meaning.

A young mixed-heritage woman dozing on a sofa, her laptop still open in front of her

Budget

Interpreting your dreams costs nothing in itself: a notebook and a bit of calm are enough. Books on the subject can be borrowed from a library or found second-hand for very little. The only real expense is support when nights become heavy: private psychologists set their own fees, which vary widely between cities and practitioners, so ask about the cost before you book. NHS Talking Therapies and university counselling services can offer free or low-cost support, though waiting lists are common. And an appointment with your GP remains the simplest first step to take stock.

Sources

  • Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams, 1900.
  • Carl Gustav Jung, Man and His Symbols, 1964.
  • Antti Revonsuo, 'The reinterpretation of dreams: an evolutionary hypothesis of the function of dreaming', Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2000.