Have you ever woken from a dream and found yourself puzzling over an encounter with an animal? The details might be vivid and strong, or you might recall only hazy fragments, but you’re certain that during your slumber you were visited by a beloved pet or perhaps a more mysterious creature whose presence felt unclear. Either way, such experiences can be deeply affecting and arouse much curiosity.
Open to interpretation
There are many theories as to why people dream, and debate also surrounds their significance. Austrian neurologist and founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud called dreams ‘the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind’ and introduced the theory that, through dreaming, the subconscious mind expresses the memories, ideas and emotions that the conscious, waking mind struggles to deal with.
More recently, it’s been proposed that dreaming could be a way for the brain to process experiences, rehearse for possible dangers or solve problems creatively. Other researchers suspect that dreams are merely random images, thoughts and memories to which people later attribute meaning. ‘Ideas, attitudes and theories around dreams are as many and diverse as there are times and cultures throughout history,’ says dream worker Beth Forrester, who’s also an artist and host of the Dreaming Earth podcast. So, while thinkers like Freud and Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung can be credited with influencing modern-day approaches to dreams in the west, interpreting and understanding them – including those featuring animal encounters – is, arguably, a subjective practice.
In her 1954 lecture at the CG Jung Institute in Switzerland, Jungian analyst Barbara Hannah offered this interpretation: ‘Animals generally represent instincts when we meet them in dreams… As we discuss our separate animals and, in particular, the attributes associated with them in their mythology, we shall see how multifaceted they are.’
View from a different angle
Indeed, given that animals of all kinds have appeared in myriad myths down the centuries and are used symbolically in art, literature and modern media, it’s little wonder they’re also imbued with many different meanings in dreams.
Beth offers another note of caution about dream interpretation: ‘I feel that dreams talk and play out in a different way than how we would conceptualise or experience our waking life… and they need to be looked at with a different lens.’
Personal understanding
For those interested in exploring their own animal encounters in dreams, it involves tuning in and listening to messages from your own body and intuition. There are archetypal themes attached to animals that offer some understanding of their symbolism and meaning, but what’s important is creating a more nuanced and balanced approach to communicating with your inner world.
To get started on developing a relationship with the symbolic language of your dreams, Beth suggests first declaring your intention to do so. ‘Your unconscious places, your dreaming self, will already be aware that you have become curious about your dreams, and your communication to these places is important. Make a conscious intention that you are going to be in a relationship with your dreams, in a new and important way. Say it out loud!’
After this comes the preparation. Keeping a dedicated dream journal and pen (or a voice notes app on a phone if preferred) next to your bed, so dreams can be recorded as soon as you wake up, is vital for beginning to understand nighttime visions.
When recording your dream, be that in written or spoken words, use the present tense, as this will make the description more vivid and immediate. Most importantly, pay close attention to the emotions felt in the dream. Says Beth: ‘Try to be specific about the feelings and use your imagination. For example, don’t write “scared” if you feel “gloomy” [and] don’t write “happy” when you feel a “sense of belonging”.’
If, like many people, you recall dreams only in fragments, feelings or not at all, this is okay. You can still keep a daily record of your dream life. ‘Even if you get nothing in the morning, no memories of dreams, make a deal to write something,’ says Beth. ‘[It could be something] like: “This morning I didn’t remember anything, but I will be ready tonight just the same.” If you just get a tiny fragment, such as: “There’s a balloon on the floor” or “Something is yellow”, write that down, too.’
If an animal does feature, remember that each person’s response to it will be as important symbolically as the creature itself. So, while a clean-cut interpretation for an animal might be a helpful starting point, understanding how to develop a deeper dialogue with your dreams will ultimately prove more rewarding and bring greater insight.
For more on Beth and her podcast, visit bethforrester.co.uk. You can also follow her on Instagram @beth.forrester