About Dream Dictionaries

DREAM DICTIONARIES DO NOT WORK. A dream dictionary or any list of symbols and what they mean (supposedly) cannot give you an accurate meaning about your dream. WHY? Because the meaning of a symbol relates to your unique experience about an image, a unique experience which is called “an association.” The only way to get the true meaning of a symbol is review your memories about it (see Symbols, Step Four of the Five Step Dream Analysis Technique). There are exceptions. Society has common images with the same meaning cross cultures such as a smile as a sign of friendship or an altar as a religious symbol of reverence. But most meanings that are listed in dream dictionaries do not apply to your particular dreams. WHAT WORKS IS TO MATCH A SYMBOL TO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Suppose you were once attacked by a dog. Because of that memory (called "an association"), for you, a dream about a dog relates to fear and danger. But if you have a dog as a loved pet, a dream about a dog means loyalty, friendship and love. Several people can dream about a dog but since their memories are different, the meanings are different for each dreamer. That dynamic—matching an image to your memories—is true for every symbol you see in a dream. The meaning of a symbol varies according to your life experience, which dream books cannot list. One size cannot fit all. To get the true meaning of your dream, use the Five Step Technique.