Dreaming LifeDreaming Life

Carl Jung identified the dream archetypes as the basic building-blocks of the imagination. Stored in an area of the mind that Jung called the ‘Collective Unconscious’, a pool of primary imagery that all humans have shared over the centuries, the archetypes appear in myths and legends, as well as in dreams.

Anima and Animus

The Anima is the aspect of the unconscious in a man that represents the feminine; usually appearing as a young woman, often portraying emotions, love and one’s instincts. If the archetype is friendly it will help the dreamer explore his unconscious; if she is harmful she may lead him astray.

The Animus is the male aspect of the female unconscious; usually appears as a young man and represents conviction, assertiveness and action. If he is friendly he may advise the dreamer to think of her strength; if not he may encourage negative thoughts.

Interpretation Ideas

Was the Anima/Animus good or bad? Did it guide you or leave you feeling lost? Did you become the person representing this side of you? What did it tell you about your feminine/masculine side? Think about any feelings that were released.

Divine Child

The Divine Child usually appears as a baby or infant, it is the epitome of innocence, vulnerable yet powerful, able to regenerate and transform. It is a reminder to ourselves of a time before we had an ego, when we were truly free. A connection with the Divine Child in dreams can help soothe the pains of adulthood; help us revisit the inventive spark of childhood.

Interpretation Ideas

Did you know the child? Was the child yours? Were you the child yourself? Did you look after the child or leave it neglected? Was it in a good or bad mood? How did the child grow or change? Were there other children around? Was there something new? How did you feel after having the dream?

Great Mother

The Great Mother represents nature and protection; the mother is the first bond we have with another human being. The Great Mother is essential to our development. The Great Mother is a symbol of all-embracing love, plus feminine power and the mysterious. The mother encourages growth and, as the ‘earth mother’, brings plenty. She can sometimes be wicked, a harpy or a witch.

Interpretation Ideas

Was the symbol you saw a representation of the Great Mother or your actual mother? How did you feel about the way she treated you? Were you her child; one of many or the only one? Did she change at all throughout the dream? Perhaps you were the Mother, if so, what was your attitude in respect to your role? Were you supportive, promoting independence?


The Hero archetype represents a quest for understanding in both men and women. In legends, myths and fairy tales, the hero of the story often takes a long journey, defeating enemies and tasks along the way that require great skills, and sometimes help from other archetypes like the Anima, Animus and Wise Old Man. In contemporary times an athlete, scientist, an explorer, or anyone who pushes the limits of human understanding and achievements could represent a Hero.

Interpretation Ideas

Who is the Hero? What was the nature of her or his quest? What were their hopes and fears, what did they believe in? What were the perils they faced? If the quest was successful, what did they win? In what ways did the quest go successfully? Will the quest be undertaken again? If you were the Hero in the dream, ask yourself all of the above.


Numbers are highly significant in many occult, religious and mythical traditions. They may appear in your dreams as actual numbers, or be represented by sequences of event such as meeting someone three times or seeing a number of objects.

Interpretation Ideas

Zero represents infinity and the void. One, unity. Two, duality, symmetry and balance. Three, the mind, body, and spirit; the mother, father and child; and (for some) the Holy Trinity. Four, harmony and stability; the cycle of the seasons and the four elements. Five, the pentagram that is the symbol of humankind. Six, perfection. Seven is a number of mystery. Eight is the number of regeneration. Nine, eternity. Ten, the law. Twelve is the number of spiritual order; the signs of the zodiac etc.


The Persona is described by Jung as, ‘that which in reality you are not, but which yourself as well as others think you are’. Our deepest feelings and weaknesses are protected by the hard shell of our Persona; it can be a bad thing if we cannot separate ourselves from it, if we become our Persona and lose touch with our real selves. In dreams it could appear as a scarecrow, a tramp or an empty field.

Interpretation Ideas

Was there a strange figure in your dream that was deceiving you or someone else that was with you? Was the figure afraid of being discovered, captured or revealed; in what ways? Did anyone in the dream suspect there was someone else beneath the disguise? Did you feel ashamed? Was there a secret exposed that is connected with guilt? Were you happy with the figure or did you view it with distaste?



The Shadow represents that dark side of ourselves that we’d prefer other people not to see; it is the dark side of the ego, the conscious self. In Jung’s words it is ‘the thing a person has no wish to be’, it is a primitive side of us, ruled by instincts; a side that will try to push itself to the forefront, with increasing energy the more we try to repress it. In dreams it can appear as someone giving advice that we don’t want to hear; it more commonly appears as a threatening force, as a frightening stranger or attacker.

Interpretation Ideas

Think of the violent, aggressive areas of your dream; in what ways did they scare you? Were any of the characters in your dream hurtful, obsessive, selfish or persecuted? In what ways were the characters being controlled? Were you one of the characters? Did you become one of the characters? Were some of your more secret and surprising impulses brought out by the dream? Have any strong negative emotions come into your thoughts since having the dream?


Jung describes spirit as an immaterial form of existence, which, on the highest and most universal level, is called God; it is the opposite of matter. It is often represented in dreams by a winged creature that inspires, incites or stimulates; it can also appear as a ghost or sprite, it is always an element that attempts to promote movement – asking us to move on, get out of a rut etc.

Interpretation Ideas

How did the dream inspire you? Was the dream somehow helping to create your Self, or powerful? Were situations that you would normally think of as impossible overcome? If this was the case, what force was it that overcame the situation? Were you able to achieve things that you can’t in waking life? Was it a positive experience, or neutral, what was the mood of the dream?


The Trickster is a complex figure that tries to ruin our plans, often appearing as a clown or jester; but it can also be a force that undermines our pretensions of the self, making a mockery of our vanity. The Trickster can alter its shape as it attempts to thwart our intentions, it will usually be for our best interests in the long run though.

Interpretation Ideas

Of all the people you know, who is the one person you find it most difficult to guess what they are going to do next or what they are thinking? Did the figure in your dream have a resemblance to this person? Was there someone in your dream that was preventing you from achieving a goal in a frustrating way? Did the figure change shape? Did you feel that your vanity had been uncovered in the dream? Were you made to feel ridiculous?

Wise Old Woman or Man

The Wise Old Woman or Man will appear as a figure of authority; representing a superior insight and higher state of consciousness. She or he may be a doctor, grandparent, spiritual leader, professor, magician, wizard or a shaman leading you on a dream quest of self-knowledge. For men the Wise Old Man can represent an aspect of the self.

Interpretation Ideas

If there was an older person or someone unusually knowledgeable in your dream, what special powers did she or he have, if any? Which parts of your life do you think a wise person would best be able to advise you on? Was the figure’s knowledge learned or instinctive? How did their advice or guidance help you reach a further understanding?