Animals in Dreams – Week 2
Have you ever stopped to think about the animals in your dreams?
An animal in a dream can represent:
- a basic instinct or emotion, like fear, anger, protection, or desire
- a natural energy in you that wants expression
- a part of yourself that is more wild, honest, or unrefined
In dreams, animals often appear when instinctive or emotional material is trying to come into awareness. Jung believed modern humans often become too intellectual and disconnected from instinct. Animals in dreams can therefore represent the “wild” natural parts of ourselves that still carry wisdom.
Different animals can carry different meanings.
Birds may relate to freedom, perspective, messages, or the soul. Butterflies often symbolize transformation and growth. Fish can relate to emotions, intuition, fertility, or the unconscious mind. Wolves may reflect independence, protection, or hidden fears, while snakes are commonly linked to transformation, healing, danger, or wisdom.
Context matters. The feeling of the dream, the behaviour of the animal, personal experiences, cultural beliefs, and what the animal means to you personally are all important when exploring possible meanings. Perhaps its even a mythical creature.
A calm animal may reflect something grounded and steady in you.
An aggressive animal may point to anger or a boundary that needs attention.
An injured or trapped animal can reflect a part of you that feels hurt or restricted.
This week’s dream creativity theme: Animal Totems
Choose an animal that has appeared in your dreams, imagination, synchronicities, childhood memories, artwork, or life recently. It can be a real animal, bird, fish, insect, sea creature, or even a mythical creature.
You do not have to like the animal.
Sometimes the animals that unsettle us carry the deepest meaning.
What does this animal represent to you?
What emotions arise when you think about it?
What qualities does it carry?
Strength? Fear? Freedom? Protection? Creativity? Transformation? Chaos? Wisdom?
Some people believe an animal becomes a recurring “totem” if it repeatedly appears during important transitions in life. Whether viewed spiritually or psychologically, the animal can become a powerful symbol through which the mind explores emotion, instinct, memory, intuition, and transformation.
Create something inspired by your animal:
• Draw or paint it
• Make a clay totem or sculpture
• Write a poem, story, or reflection
There is no right or wrong interpretation. Share your creativity with the group and leave your animal “totem” somewhere that you see it… maybe it will reveal something more over time.
The word “totem” comes from the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) word doodem, meaning clan or kinship group. Traditionally, totems were used by various Indigenous cultures as symbolic connections to animals, nature, ancestry, and identity. They were not usually worshipped, but often used in storytelling, teaching, remembering ancestors, and expressing a relationship with the natural world. Today, many people use the idea of a totem more symbolically or psychologically, finding meaning in animals that repeatedly appear in dreams, synchronicities, art, meditation, or important life transitions. An animal totem can become a symbol through which a person explores emotion, instinct, intuition, memory, creativity, and transformation.
When an animal appears, it may be your inner world showing you something real, something natural, something that wants to be noticed.
Here are some of the creativity we came up with this week:
Here it is: if you ever find yourself dreaming of a giraffe having a coffee, wearing a green polo neck (😁) …this is what it would mean, according to Grøk.
“Dreaming of a giraffe in a green polo neck jersey having a coffee is a highly symbolic, surreal dream combining themes of perspective, unconventional wisdom, and a need for relaxed, alert reflection. The imagery suggests you are in a phase where you are looking at your life from a “higher” viewpoint, but doing so with a need for comfort and intellectual”
Medium used for the painting: watercolour😄🦒
At the age of 15 I got to ride an elephant through the jungle in Thailand and I thought that this is what I was dreaming about. But then I went onto ChatGPT to see what the meaning of dreaming riding on an elephant was and this is what came up, and I think it is spot on:
Riding the elephant may symbolize that you are learning to “steer” a powerful part of your life: emotions, responsibilities, leadership, or inner strength.
Its always a wild panic trying to get children and dogs inside and safe without the lions entering.
They’re always super persistent and agressive and will not leave the property and there is no phone to call for help. Sometimes they manage to get in as theyre smart and then we need to make a run for it again to a different part of the house, or outside in the garden again. This will continue until the panic of it all finally wakes me up.
That is why they stare into empty corners, patrol the house at midnight, and act as though they know secrets we never will.
Ginger carries the fire of old sun-cats in his spirit, while Sokkies belongs to the shadow-watchers — silent, clever, and always listening.
Together they rule the house like tiny ancient guardians disguised as pets.
My malevolent little gargoyles.
You came as a guest, small enough to fit between two hands, never meant to stay.
Tiny queen of the house, fierce guardian of the garden, hunter of rustling leaves on the roof and unfortunate birds.
You have your addictions, catnip and my left pinky.
You endure the endless toe bean kisses, the ridiculous little songs I sing
as warnings to incoming affection
You hide in trees
with the patience of a tiny tiger, waiting for me to pass beneath, then launch your sneaky ambush with satisfaction.
My favourite evenings are ours woman, dog, and cat wandering the streets together
like a slightly odd little family held together by love.
Princess Penny,
you arrived as a temporary visitor,
but somehow became my whole world. 💜
I don’t often dream about animals, but when I do it usually involves a turtle or a snake. I thought drawing a turtle would be more fun, so here is my contribution for the week. Credit due to Pinterest for inspiring me with one of its turtle pictures.
Beneath a sky of burning gold,
A midnight spirit, fierce and bold,
With flowing mane like storm and sea,
The Friesian rode the wild through me.
No fear could touch the path we knew,
Its strength was ancient, deep, and true,
A silent thunder at my side,
Where freedom’s heartbeat learned to ride.
And in its eyes, dark, wise, untamed,
I met the woman yet unnamed.
Image by ChatGpt.
We had a visit in our garden from an eagle during a very difficult time this last month..
So I have been thinking of why the eagle and why then.. The topic has come up again since the visit as if the eagle wants to remind me of his visit.. So here is my tribute to this majestic bird.. He haunts me like a memory in a dream…
I dreamt I was at a friends house. I was trying to carry water but it kept spilling. On her couch and floor. She didn’t mind.
Later her husband brought in a fish tank for the water and then it held three beautiful Japanese fighter fish in it. Serene and peaceful.
💭 I’ve thought it could mean different things.
Ive read before that these fish represent wisdom. Beauty. Individuality. Water could be consciousness / emotion. The fish tank is to gain wisdom to find a “home” for my inner world 🌎
