Animals in Dreams
Animals often wander into a witch's dreams, and these nocturnal visits are likely to be significant. A creature that appears to you in a dream could be your power animal or totem trying to help with a specific situation. In some cases, the animal's symbolic value could have bearing on a personal or spiritual matter.
According to the Ainu, bats were created by the god of the world; they are courageous and wise, and they battle disease. In China, five bats seen together represent joy, prosperity, longevity, happiness, and contentment. Conversely, in Japanese Buddhist tradition, bats signify sadness and restlessness. For the Maori of New Zealand, spotting a bat is an omen of bad luck.
Any personal feelings you have toward the animal should be considered part of the dream's interpretive value. For example, if you're afraid of dogs and you see a dog with someone you've recently met, there might be a reason to be cautious about that person (especially if you felt ill at ease when you met this person in waking life). If you really adore birds and see a friend with one in your dream, it might be time to call that friend or visit with him. Here is a brief list of animal harbingers and meanings in dreams:
Animal |
Meaning |
Bat |
making your way through an uncertain situation successfully; alternatively, improved luck and happiness |
Bear |
forbearance, protectiveness, fearlessness, and possibly the need to rest or retreat |
Birds |
symbolic value changes according to the specific bird; generally birds represent liberation, movement, and the ability to distance oneself from a situation. A bird that's singing happily foretells success. |
Bull |
masculine energy, stubbornness, fertility, leadership skills, the ego/self (especially for men); moving forward too quickly and doing damage in the process |
Camel |
prepare for a time of scarce resources |
Cat |
playfulness, quick reactions, independence, feminine energy, mystery |
Chameleon |
transformation, adaptability, knowing when to remain quiet and out of sight |
Crab |
moodiness or misdirection; situations that seem to lead nowhere; overprotectiveness |
Crow |
wisdom, hidden knowledge, magick |
Crocodile |
lies or misrepresentation |
Deer |
swiftness, gentleness |
Dog |
steadfast friends or companions |
Dolphin |
rapid movement and decision-making; messages that require attention |
Dragonfly |
improved health or fortune; balancing head and heart |
Eagle |
clarity (or a need for it), freedom, difficult goals, authority |
Elephant |
memory, strength, overcoming obstacles |
Fish |
abundance, fertility, the potential for miracles (note the specific type of fish and its condition for more insight) |
Fox |
cunning, charm, craftiness |
Frog |
renewal (particularly in health-related matters) |
Giraffe |
stretching yourself or being more open-minded; seeing things from a broader perspective |
Goose |
good news is forthcoming, possibly combined with improved communication or a creative endeavor |
Horse |
movement/travel, freedom, transition, ambition, personal power/self-confidence |
Hummingbird |
something from the past (possibly a former lover) is about to appear |
Insects |
small aggravations (the meaning relates to the type of insect that appears and the dream's overall context) |
Lion |
authority, courage, ferocity (when necessary to defend something you love) |
Lizard |
the ability to break away from the old and begin anew |
Monkey |
playfulness or flattery (not always with good results) |
Mouse |
frugality through innovation |
Otter |
frisky behavior that causes you to overlook something important |
Owl |
wisdom, messages, and news; pay attention to your inner voice in reacting to these missives |
Peacock |
pride, being egotistical (a showoff) |
Pig |
insensitivity, indulgence |
Porcupine |
be on guard; a prickly situation that requires great care |
Rabbit |
abundance, creativity, fertility, good luck |
Raven |
a warning of some sort |
Sheep |
passiveness that can lead to undoing |
Snake |
a new life or opportunity, transformation, shedding something old |
Spider |
fate's hand at work in something, creativity; you may be caught in a web of your own making |
Tiger |
courage, competence, tenacity |
Vulture |
a predator nearby |
Whale |
a literal or spiritual journey that aids enlightenment; regeneration |
Woodpecker |
a change in literal or figurative weather on the horizon |
Aggressive animals warn either of danger in your life or that you feel threatened. If an animal is killed in your dream, some type of literal or figurative death is going on around you. If a scary animal is chasing you, it may represent something in yourself that you are avoiding. Because animals are often associated with instincts and primal nature, dreaming of an animal being tamed warns you to control your “animal” behavior (for instance, curb exuberant physical passion).
