Strange dream....

[smirkymonkey]

I was going to put this in the lounge, but I have a feeling that it might mean something deeper and I thought I would get more meaningful interpretations here.

I dreamt that I was lying in bed and I looked up at the ceiling and saw what looked to be a HUGE spider - Tarantula like - and I tried to kill it or get rid of it with a broom. It fell to the floor and morphed into this crab-like creature with pinchers and I was still very afraid of it.

Then it turned into an armadillo-like creature with a beak-type mouth and it was very hard and covered with a cream colored "armor", however my feelings about it started to change and I started to see it as a pet and didn't want to harm it or get rid of it anymore. I was feeding it biscotti and then oatmeal and granola and a few other things which it liked very much. I then started to feel like this creature liked me and wanted to be around me. I wanted to pick it up and cuddle with it like a puppy, but I was still a little wary because it was still hard and angular and I was afraid my hand would get caught in it's mouth.

By the end of the dream I was feeling very attached to this creature and even brought it to sleep with me. It's been nagging me all day and I can't figure out what it might mean. Anybody have any ideas?

[Mist]

1. Whenever I have dreams I can't "get," I turn to a dream book by

Alice Anne Parker, "Understand Your Dreams." There are over 2,000 dream images, and she lists what she thinks they mean, and a question:

Spider: The dark feminine force. Spinner of webs. Patience. Organization. Do I fear or admire these qualities in myself?

Crab: Soft meat, hard shell. Am I too sensitive?

Armadillo: Armoring. Codependency. What boundaries do I want or need to establish?

Sometimes, often, in fact, her questions make me look at my dreams more deeply, and I've found her book to be very helpful.
(When I first got the book, years ago, I ignored the questions; I guess I just didn't want to deal with delving TOO deeply!)
I don't know if this is helpful--as I use the book, it gives me a starting point.

I LOVE the image of feeding an armadillo biscotti and oatmeal!

[smirkymonkey]

5. That's sounds very plausible...

I definitely fear my own femininity, I am overly sensitive and I certainly have boundary/codependency issues - but I feel like I am growing as well. I am starting to become a little less concered with what other people think of me and a little more concerned about what I want out of life.

Great interpretation! Thank you! :hi:

[Mist]

9. Thank Alice Anne Parker! I tell everyone interested in dreams to pick up

this book--she's very intuitive and has studied the meanings and uses of dreams from a variety of cultures. As I say, it's a starting point.

[NJCher]

2. something scary

I think the dream's about you coming to terms with something that might seem a bit unpalatable or scary right now.

Your subconscious is saying that this whatever-it-is has something for you--but regardless, you are still a bit afraid of getting too close to it. There is some benefit in your making this feared thing a friend.

You are feeding the creature comfort foods, which I think is kind of charming and amusing.



Cher

[smirkymonkey]

6. I have decided that this is the year for me to stop letting life

happen to me and start taking charge of my life - I am less willing to put up with bullshit and gaining more confidence in my abilities. I think I am really afraid of succeeding - I have always been a major underacheiver, but I am tired of being small all the time.

I thought those foodstuffs were a strange assortment, but as you pointed out, they are all comfort foods (I am part Italian, so that's where the biscotti comes in I suppose :) ) Thank you for your interpretation! I appreciate it! :hi:

[stellanoir]

3. It's a cool dream

of transformation of fears. I love the way you offered nourishment to the armadillo but were cognizant of your boundaries.

[smirkymonkey]

7. Thank you! I like that spin on it - transformation...

I really do feel like a transformation is occurring - and my boundaries are so much better these days, which makes me less resentful and angry.

I found this on a dream website about Armadillos:

"To see an armadillo in your dream, represents your need to establish certain boundaries. You may be putting up walls between you and the people who want to know you better. Alternatively, it indicates codependency. You need to be more assertive and no let other step all over you."

I do put up a lot of walls, but I am tired of never letting anybody in. I think the more I trust the boundaries I set, the safer it will feel to let certain other people in. Thanks! :hi:

[wickfordbard]

4. It's a dream about meeting your fate.

Having that big spider in your dreams means: Look at Me!! Pay attention.

Spiders spin the webs of our fate, and we get caught up in whether it's good or bad. Your fate seems overwhelming right now. (I would recommend you going to see Charlotte's Web!) Spider Woman came to show you infinite possibilities.

Then it morphs into a crab. Cancer is represented by a crab - the sign where we have to learn to fous our attention on nurturing our gifts and talents. And it calls for us to have hard shells and pincers to keep others away from this new thing we are nurturing.

And as Stella said, you are honoring your bounderies now with armadillo energy.

So, honor your dreams and your fate. Nurture what you are giving birth to and keep your bounderies strong. Even though it still feels uncomfortable,

[smirkymonkey]

8. Thank you! Another good interpretation!

I remember that when I first saw the spider, I wanted to ignore it and go back to sleep, but thought that if I ignored it, it would come down and bite me - so I had to face it.

I happen to be a Cancer, and can be very crab-like in a lot of ways (indirect, hard shell, soft interior, pinchers for when people get too close - heh heh.)

The boundary thing is in the forefront with me right now - I am setting them more frequently and more solidly, but still feel uncomfortable with it. Thank you - this has been very enlightening. I was so confused by it at first, but after reading everyone's post, it seems so clear to me now! :hi: