Drowning
This is such a common dream and has been answered hundreds of times, we first ask you to look through the many answers given in Drowning – Many Replies Hopefully you will find an answer to your own drowning dream
Because of the water, drowning depicts fear of being overwhelmed by difficult emotions or anxieties, so it often points to struggles – conflicts – or fighting for survival you may have in your life. But this might apply not to dangerous emotions or urges, but to natural urges such as eating, loving or sex, that some people have enormous conflicts with. Drowning in a dream is also about struggling to survive as a person, so it applies to your identity as it is dealing with relationship with other people, but also with your own internal world of instincts, body activities and needs.
But the feelings of being overwhelmed can be caused by fear or anxiety. But if we can, we can meet and dissolve these. For whenever we dream its images are not like real life, because a dream is nothing like outer life where things could hurt you, but is an image like on a cinema screen that even if a gun is pointed at you and fired it can do no damage – except if you run in fear. So all the things that scare you are simply your own fears projected onto the screen of your sleeping mind.
So in dreams you cannot drown, but fear takes away your confidence, so then you go through the agonised emotions of drowning.
This is about being or feeling overwhelmed by something. One can ‘drown’ in sorrow for instance. So you need to look at your waking life to see what you are feeling threatened or burdened by and see if there are ways you can deal with it. If someone else actually drowns in the dream it may mean some of your feelings, your creativity and responsiveness are no longer ‘alive’. But they can be brought back to life if you care for that side of yourself. Sometimes it is simply anxiety we drown in, and much of anxiety is about situations we imagine. Separating what is imagined from what is real can help this. See Characters and People in Dreams
But such fear can be caused because if un-dealt with traumas from childhood are not faced, or by being exposed to awful film images that you believe are real. Read and Martial Art of the Mind
If you feel you are struggling to you ‘keep your head above water’ in a dream, do not give in for it is only emotions you are facing, not reality.
Water and drowning often indicates you are facing the unknown changes and so are afraid. But in dreams we can never die or even be hurt, for we wake without real hurt except for our feelings.
Going under water in a dream depicts you are going deeper into your awareness, so you are beginning to explore your unconscious. That is a major step in your development and is an evolutionary advance. It can lead to many major new abilities such as a wider awareness of life around you. A person describes one of the possible changes, “Unexpectedly everything changed and my fundamental self was something that existed throughout all time. It didn’t have a beginning or end. There was no goal to achieve. I am.”
Dreamt about someone else: May occasionally show Your apprehension about their health or well being, having the suggestion of death or breakdown.
Example: ‘I fell into a pond. My brother was frightened to be by himself so he jumped in. We were both drowning in the water and we shouted out for Mum. My brother drowned.’ Poppy S.
Poppy dreamt this while feeling insecure and anxious due to her father being seriously ill.
Example: I had been dreaming about sitting on a sofa with my friends – well watching horror movies, when suddenly everything comes to live. I was afraid of the ghost that had been drowning with her husband in the movie, and it comes to haunt me. I asked the ghost’s sister to help and she passes me a necklace with can protect me. And suddenly the ghost appears and tells my friend she was pretty. What does this means?
It means that you need to understand how your mind works. It means that you have nothing to fear about ghosts. As the ghost that appeared showed you, there was no harm in it. Dream images are like images on cinema screens – harmless unless you are haunted by your own fears. But the dream also shows you that whatever you believe in becomes a fact and alive in our dreams. It mean that the necklace gave you confidence, and in fact the necklace is only a crutch for your confidence. But we need such things until we can deal with our own emotions. See Facing Fear
Idioms: drown your sorrow; if you’re born to hang, you won’t drown.
Useful questions:
What powerful emotions or changes am I dealing with?
Am I feeling overwhelmed by something?
Can I define the strengths and ways I use to deal with threatening feelings?
Do I feel as if I am ‘drowning’ in a situation or relationship?
What is it I am feeling overwhelmed by recently?
Is this someone else drowning – if so what facet of me do they represent?
What resource or person could help me survive in this situation?
Another person or animal drowning still suggests it is an aspect of your own personality you need to care for.
Whoever or whatever it is, imagine yourself back in the dream and save them. If necessary imagine rescue services coming to your aid. In doing this you are using imagery to shift your feelings and anxieties.
All water in some way signifies your own inner world of feelings, but the sea often suggests meeting urges and wisdom lying beyond the boundary of your conscious mind. What is it you feel in the sea or river? Try putting it into words.
See Associations Working With; Techniques for Exploring your Dreams; Avoid Being Victims; Secrets of Power Dreaming
Comments
I hace a dream continuously where I am at a public swimming pool and just catching some sun. When out of the sudden there is a boy I’ve never met before and is albino is drowning. As I save him his face changes into a demon. What could that mean??
Kim – Please understand that my understanding of dreams is not based on book learning but of exploring many dreams, and what I am about to say is partly based on what I say in http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing so please read it.
Your dream shows you relaxing and enjoying a flow of good feelings – the sun. This unlocked a new realisation in you – the albino. Relaxation often does this, because for a while you are not focussed on any particular thing and your mind can throw up new things or experiences. But you grabbed hold of the new idea/experience because it was fast disappearing/drowning. Pools of water often represent the depth of your mind that like sleep lead into unconsciousness. You pulled it back into consciousness only to find that it had a frightening image.
It would take too long to get you to understand what the demon was unless you read all of http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/what-we-need-to-remember-about-us-3/#DualBeing and all the following entries. But perhaps you can understand that dreams arise from a part of you that is much bigger than your conscious personality. Call it Life that keeps your heart beating and your breathing going even when you sleep. Most people believe it is all automatic and without meaning, but your dream showed you pulling something that scared you out of that ‘automatic’ and unconscious part of you. So it might help if you read – http://dreamhawk.com/dream-dictionary/what-we-need-to-remember-about-us-3/#Reaction
Tony
I had a dream that a group of plain clothed angels came to me and told me that I was going to die in November. They said very plainly that I was supposed to die in September but something went wrong, October was not the right time but November it must happen. They said I would drown and that I needed to make peace with that, tie up my lose ends, and tell everyone I loved them. I asked if it would hurt and they said of course it would then left me to go home.
I know better than to believe I’m going to die in the near future but this still left me uneasy. I just returned home in September from a summer long road trip and am now trying to decide what comes next. I feel that’s really what’s inspiring that dream but someone else’s insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you – Cassie
I had a dream last nyt I was trapped in place with loads ov water I lost my breath and fell as I can’t swim I just gave up my boyfriend said I was breathing very heavy n loud he couldn’t wake me up what is very scary I finally woke up in my dream what does this mean it really scared me ??
Dear Chloe – There is no need to be frightened in your dreams, because nothing can hurt you, you cannot drown or die in your dreams. But of course you can feel fear, and the fear you were feeling was about dying in the water. Please read http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing
Tony
I had a dream where I was swimming in a pool with someone I use to have a crush on. However, now he has a girlfriend and in my dream I guess he did too. Not wanting to disrespect her I kept my distance. In the pool I tried not to encourage any sort of flirtation, but he managed to get me to interact with him. He ended up rough housing with me and moving us into the deeper part of the pool. Somehow I ended up underneath him and it was like he was trying to be funny, pushing me down under the water falling deeper and deeper into the pool. It seemed as if he were under the influence. I knew I was going to die because he was so strong.One last time I tried to reach for help but then I consciously took in a big gulp of water as if it were air knowing that was it; my lungs burning. Then my dream faded away.
I had a dream I got my 11 month old son in the bathtub and I walked away to get a towel.. And came back and he was floating in the tub:-( it was awful!!!
Melissa I had a similar dream last night my LO is nearly 4 and in my dream I left the room out of sight for a second (which i dont know why as its something i never do) and when I went back he was floating in the bath and was so cold it really upset me I couldn’t get back to sleep and the image wouldn’t leave my head it’s so horrible
I had a dream last night that where the beach tide meets the sand I knelt down to put my hair in the water because I have curly hair and the salt water makes it more curly. As I knelt down a unknown wave crashed and the suction of the wave was pulling me back toward the sea but with my breath being held and I feel close to dieing a hand (my brothers) appeared and pulled me out .
Brendin – Please see http://dreamhawk.com/approaches-to-being/questions-2/#Summing and you will see that you cannot die or be hurt in a dream. But you can feel every sort of fear and emotion. Something was pulling you into something you fear – death?
Well in dreams hair often represents ones thinking and opinions and attitudes. The sea is the deep and unknown of yourself, and the wave is an impulse that comes from deep life within you. Why you were afraid of this is explained in – http://dreamhawk.com/dream-dictionary/what-we-need-to-remember-about-us-3/#Reaction
Tony
I dreamt I was walking on a lake of ice with my dad, uncle and sister. It wasn’t cold really, just night time and lightly snowing I ran off along a sturdy looking part (i think I felt happy/free) and looked across the lake to watch them walk out onto a cracked part of the ice and fall in. I think I shouted a warning but was too late/they were too far away. I ran to them, by now a snow covered wooden shack had formed over the hole in the ice. With my dad’s help I managed to get my sister out and then it all went a bit slow motion and although we tried to catch my dad he drowned and slipped under the crystal clear water. I screamed and screamed but no noise came out of my mouth. It felt like we all tried to help him but we should have tried harder, quicker, and that his drowning was utterly our fault. Then I was running around on the ice outside trying to find help unsuccessfully. I woke feeling lost/confused.
Raven – A dream is often like a story, and the beginning of a story give meaning to what follows. In your dream you are with family and go off alone, feeling happy and free.
That suggests to me that you were being independent, and in dreams we often kill off our parents as we become more independent. It is a way we can learn to meet life without their support – emotional support.
Feeling lost and confused are the feelings we face when we are suddenly alone in the world. Fortunately it is only in your dreams, and dreams give us a chance to experience the difficult parts of life as practice.
Tony
In my dream there was this huge pond but it was crystal clear and it seemed as though it was really deep. I remember looking down into this pond and watching the fish swimming at the bottom and then there was this huge fish. It wasn’t long but more roundish and looked like one eye was blown out and the other was cloudy. I sat by the water and then was in the water holding to the edge. My 2 year old daughter (who has a twin brother) came up to me and laid on her stomach in the grass and I held her. She kept falling asleep and her head would go in the water so I moved her up more. Then i dosed off in my dream and woke suddenly and looked for my son ,who was with family out of my sight prior, and I see him on a floatie in the middle of this water. Next thing he goes in head first and I want to go get him but in fear my daughter will also fall in and I put her on the raft that I now have and try to scream but I wake up. I felt so much anxiety and was crying when I woke up its like I felt like I couldn’t save both my children and I would never let that happen. Please help me and find the meaning of this dream.
Jessica – The dream has two meanings. The huge pond represents your ability to be able to see into you inner, dream world. Also an ability to grow beyond your fears by actually meeting them and passing beyond them to a fuller life. See http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/what-we-need-to-remember-about-us-3/#DualBeing
But unfortunately you were scared of your vulnerable feelings and so refused to take the opportunity. For your children are not about your children but about you – see http://dreamhawk.com/approaches-to-being/questions-2/#Summing and http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/secrets-power-dreaming/
But the dream is about another thing apart from your own vulnerability, it is about your mothering instinct. As humans we tend to bottle it all up or are frightened of it. Your love and care for your child can trigger your mothering instincts with a vengeance. Being female and a mother holds with it an enormously increased anxiety about your children. You see all manner of things that might be a threat, and I believe that is what such dreams shows. Your imagination for such dangers is enormously increased. This is natural in all mammals. It is in no way a prediction, but simply a mothering instinct.
Tony
I have reoccuring dreams of my daughters drowning. Its like natural disaster or s family outting and somehow they rnd up on the water and im trying to hold on to one of them or even both and i always lose them. After i wake up and cry because it feels so real.
Tabitha – It seems to be, and because it is recurring, that you are a caring mother. As human we tend to bottle up all our anxiety for our child’s safety and are frightened of it. Your love and care for your baby can trigger your mothering instincts with a vengeance. Being female and a mother holds with it an enormously increased anxiety about the baby. They see all manner of things that might be a threat, and I believe that is what your dreams shows. Your imagination for such dangers is enormously increased. This is natural in all mammals.
Tony
I had a dream last night of going on a honeymoon with my husband to the beach and we took our son who is a year and a half. We went to a tropical destination. My husband was taking care of our son while I had some time to myself. After a while I joined them on the beach and saw my son playing in the ocean by himself as my husband watched him. A big wave was coming his way and I screamed for help and no one could hear me. My husband held me from getting my son and said he was going to be okay. The wave came and washed my son away. I ran to find him, crying and screaming and still, no one heard me nor helped me. My husband didn’t seem to care about what was happening. He simply stood at the beach just watching me go crazy and his son disappearing. My husband would give his life for our son so why wouldn’t he in my dream?
I had a dream last night of going on a honeymoon with my husband to the beach and we took our son who is a year and a half. We went to a tropical destination. My husband was taking care of our son while I had some time to myself. After a while I joined them on the beach and saw my son playing in the ocean by himself as my husband watched him. A big wave was coming his way and I screamed for help and no one could hear me. My husband held me from getting my son and said he was going to be okay. The wave came and washed my son away. I ran to find him, crying and screaming and still, no one heard me nor helped me. My husband didn’t seem to care about what was happening. He simply stood at the beach just watching me go crazy and his son disappearing. My husband would give his life for our son so why wouldn’t he in my dream?
Mimi – “My husband would give his life for our son so why wouldn’t he in my dream?” Probably because your dream husband knew that no harm can come to your son in your dream. So please read http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing
You will see that you have enormous anxiety about a vulnerable part of you being killed. But it is only your own anxiety. No dream I have come across in thousands of dreams I have collected has anyone died. So please use the following to see if you can deal with the obvious anxiety you feel – http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/acting-on-your-dream/#BeingPerson and http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/secrets-power-dreaming/
Tony
My husband has dreamt twice that while we were crossing a bridge near our home we witness a car drive of the bridge and he into jumps into the water and saves a woman and small child from drowning. What does that mean? And what’s the chances of having the same dream twice?
Kay – I believe it means that your husband is going through a change and he feels that what is happening is threatening the vulnerable members of his family.
But his dream shows him that although he feels stress, it all ends okay.
Tony
My dream wasn’t necessarily me drowning. It happened at a board walk per say, where my little sister slipped and fell into the ocean, I jumped to save her. The thing is that I can’t even swim which is horrible but the anxiety made me want to save her. I’m not what that meant, but it scared me a lot. Please help!
Janet – Dreams work in a completely different way than our conscious mind. So to bring you up to date please see http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing
As you will see if you have read that, it is not your little sister that you are dreaming of, and nothing can hurt you or your sister in a dream. You are probably dealing with your own scared feelings about yourself at that age. If you let yourself feel scared and let them develop you will find their source and clear your fear. See http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/acting-on-your-dream/#BeingPerson
Tony
I keep having dreams where I am not me, but someone completely made up and my significant other, who is also a completely made-up character, ends up drowning and I don’t find out until they are already dead.
What does this mean?
The only things that’s been stressing me out is that I’m struggling to get a job, and that seems like it wouldn’t really be related..
Kyra – Life and death in dreams have very different meanings than what we feel about them in waking life. See http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing
However your dream is very interesting because in the view of dreams it is so true. I will try to explain. The person you call Kyra is a tiny thing and is part of something so huge and amazing that most people are scared of meeting it. Most people suffer enormous amnesia. For example you grew from a seed in your mother’s womb, and as it did so took you through the whole process of evolution, through the vegetative phase as cell division, then into the reptilian phase and up to the mammalian. Then you entered the time when you learned the amazing computer like program called language, up until then you were a little animal and you were living in the ‘unconscious’.
Of course you feel it is not possible to remember such things but it is. We shut it out because we only use words and our conscious mind in remembering things. But our consciousness is the tiny part of us. It is our unconscious which is enormous and is the force of life that grew you, keeps your heart beating, and remembers every moment of your existence. Also seeds do not appear from nowhere, they have a massive history back to the beginning of life on earth. Please read http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/brain-levels-and-dreams/ and http://dreamhawk.com/interesting-people/animal-children/#Program
Reading those alone you must realise that most of who and what you are is made up out of language you learnt, the culture and beliefs it teaches, and parental influences. Perhaps also read http://dreamhawk.com/dream-dictionary/what-we-need-to-remember-about-us-3/#DualBeing
That you are already dead and also what you say, “The only things that’s been stressing me out is that I’m struggling to get a job, and that seems like it wouldn’t really be related”, suggest to me that your dream self, your core self, is attempting to wake you up so you can access your massive potential. Also your core is always trying to grow you into the unique person you are. See http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/genius-2/ and http://dreamhawk.com/approaches-to-being/martial-art-of-the-mind/
I feel your dream is pushing you to become more than you have been. Also I am not saying this to sell you a course, but because I too was in a hole and climbed out of it.
Tony
I dreamt that when I jumped in to the lake I was going deeper and deeper into the water I couldn’t kick or move. When I couldn’t hold my breath any longer I gasped for air and I could only breath with that one intake of oxygen. Then I woke up when everything went black & I had no air in my lungs. I don’t understand it.
Shyanne – This difficulty arises in many people’s dream life. It is because we take the rules that apply to waking life and try to live them in our dream life. But in our dreams it is like we are in a different world, an alternative universe, and we cannot die so you cannot drown. See http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/questions-2/#Summing
Your dream however is an important one, because you were experiencing beginning to become aware of what was usually unconscious so knowing more of your potential. But fear or misunderstanding stood in the way and woke you. Please read – http://dreamhawk.com/dream-encyclopedia/levels-of-awareness-in-waking-and-dreaming/ I know it is very long, but take from it what you can if you cannot read it all.
But you have great possibilities as shown by your ability to go so deep into yourself, so do not give up. See http://dreamhawk.com/body-and-mind/methods-of-awakening/
Tony