Posts Tagged ‘dream analysis’
Shaman
See: medicine man shaman; Guru.
Shampoo
This symbolises the effort to forget, or get over something or someone. To be rid of longings, ideas or emotions. To cleanse sexual feelings. See: Hair.
Shark
A trickster, swindler, or desire to swindle. A threat from within, such as a desire to hit or hurt someone that will or may destroy us, our self respect. Fear of death; fear of the collective unconscious, or loss of self in the impersonal Whole or All; the power of the unconscious – so also its protectiveness; someone who is a ‘shark’ or unscrupulous.
Sharp
See: Razor.
Shave Shaving
It might mean becoming faceless. But for men it is often a task performed to help them feel respectable, so it might have those feelings involved
Many males feel inadequate in today’s world, and so have a trouble feeling proud of their masculinity – many men shave all their hair of trying to make themselves more like a female.
Shaving vagina: Women often shave their pubic area for similar reason as the male, also there is a great taboo in the West to showing any pubic hair or under arm hair, so it might involve feelings about being coarse.
Example: My wife, a younger woman and I were outdoors in a field. The woman was of slight but athletic build with reddish hair. All three of us became close physically and started to get involved sexually. The woman put my hand on her vagina. It was shaved and I could feel the crack. This so annoyed my wife she walked away, fuming. The woman said to me that it was silly to be so indirect as my wife. The right way to be was open and direct as she was. I said all I could observe was that she had deeply hurt my wife, and I didn’t see where ‘honest’ came into it.
Example: In my dream I told my daughter, who has a hairdresser, to perm my hair. When I saw the finished result I told her to shave it all off. We laughed about the dream. 10 days later when cleaning, I fell over the Bannister’s and hurt my head. I was taken to hospital and the first thing they did was to shave my head.
See: Hair.
Sheep
Conformity; feeling or being ‘one of the herd’; blind following of a leader or others; the aspects of oneself that are the same as other human beings; sheep may depict the way me might be led into situations, sometimes awful, by conforming to prevailing attitudes and social pressures; a passive female; vulnerability; sexual feelings about females.
Black sheep: Someone, or you, that has not lived up to expectations, or do not fit into the usual standards of the group attitude. An outsider, or one judged to be. It used to be said about the son or daughter of a church minister who did not live up to the moral standards expected by the father.
Caring for sheep: Being a leading figure, or helping people to grow, perhaps spiritually.
Herd of sheep, or sheep in rural setting: Innocence; natural feelings and peace; quietness of mind; the custom of following a leader instinct in us.
Lost sheep: The lost sheep is a very old and wonderful symbol as told in the parable of the one sheep that had wandered away from safety. It is about either caring for someone or something that has lost its way in life, or is about you,
Sheep being attacked by dog or wolf etc: This might reflect feelings of difficulty in dealing with other people’s aggression or the world in general. It could also be about trying to develop an approach to the play of forces around and with in you – active/passive; passive/aggressive.
EXAMPLE: “I walked past a married couple who were walking up the hill too. As I passed I heard them say something about a shepherd. Looking up the hill I saw the sheep, then The Shepherd. A beautiful aura of many colours surrounded The Shepherd. I looked and felt joy and exuberance rise in me, and I ran to the couple saying it was THE SHEPHERD.” Brian C.
In the example Brian is not only aware of the sheep, but also THE Shepherd. The sheep is his experience of being one of the crowd and the Shepherd is his sense of his own unique potential or love transforming his ordinariness. But remember that the shepherd cares for the sheep to provide food for him and others. He is carer and killer. See: shepherd.
EXAMPLE: A young female sheep wanted to make love with me. We were rubbing our heads together vigorously – like a dog does when playing. Someone, a woman, was going to cleanse its vagina, perhaps by injecting disinfectant. It seemed we would have sex. Arthur C.
IDIOMS: Make sheep’s eye at someone; follow like a sheep; being sheepish.
Useful questions and hints:
What is my dream sheep doing that I can identify in my waking life?
Do I have a tendency to be a follower or a leader, and what is shown in the dream about this?
Am I in some sort of caring or leading situation in the dream, and is this a reflection of my life?
Am I active or passive in life and sex?
Shell Shell Fish Shells
Sometimes represents self or inner self. Or the shell we crawl into for protection against the world. See: Oyster; Clam.
There are tides and cycles in our lives, tides that are not a destructive force acting upon us. They are the energies of spring, bringing the possibility of new growth. The only destruction is of shells we have formed from last season’s growth that are now too small and must be left behind. And if you identify with the shell of the past, if you believe it is your home and your security in a changing world, then you have misunderstood who you are. For you are not the shell of your body, or even the decorations of the mind and its beliefs. You are the formless spirit of life that gave that shell its shape and beauty. Only in that spirit of life is there any security. And that spirit is like the wind, you can feel it and it moves you, yet you can never hold it in your hand and posses it.
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Example: My friend asked me about this museum artifact and what to do because it had been broken. I looked at it and it was a long row of conch sea shells that were attached to one another in a line. One of the shells had been damaged. |
I guess you know that Life began in the seas and at first was single celled creatures, but after immense passage of time and tremendous Earth changes became many celled creatures. The conch shell in Eastern cultures represents life as it has come out of life-giving waters. So it is an expression of Life itself, shaped with immense art and beauty, and as a shell is the imprint or beauty of a life that has left it ‘shell’ behind and travelled through many lives leaving its shells behind. So it may be a wonderful picture of the many lives that you, still living in a shell, has left as imprints on Life’s memory.
Example: I suppose you are familiar with the Camino de Santiago and the scallop shell:
“For those familiar with the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, the scallop shell is a welcome sight. It is a symbol that guides pilgrims along the way towards their ultimate destination, and is frequently worn by those who embark on such a journey.”My dream: I look at my bare feet and to my surprise I see that all the nails on my toes have transformed into beautiful, small scallop shells. There are shells that are still all white and there are shells that have turned darker; a kind of dark grey with small white spots in the form of a flower. I am so happy with my “scallop shell nails”; I think they look wonderful!It feels to me that I have now truly embraced and integrated “the way of the pilgrim”.I see the transformation from white scallop shells into dark grey ones with some white flowers as having found the middle way.So off I go again and I will trust that my feet will guide me :-))
Shell as in armament: A possibly explosive situation; stored anger or violence that can be launched into an attack.
Shepherd
Being in contact with instinctive or feeling reactions in you – the sheep; the Self. A carer and support – especially for those less capable than the shepherd/oneself. Also the ability to care for or lead a group. See: farmer; Archetype of the Christ.
There are several possibilities here depending on the character of your dream. It is also linked with the age old image of the Good Shepherd, the guide and shepherd of human souls, caring and watching over their wanderings. It can therefore indicate unconditional love transcending human life. It can also be a very down to earth image of looking after your basic needs.
It can therefore indicate unconditional love transcending human life. But remember that the shepherd cares for the sheep to provide food for him and others. He is carer and killer.
Example: I walked past a married couple who were walking up the hill too. As I passed I heard them say something about a shepherd. Looking up the hill I saw the sheep, then The Shepherd. A beautiful aura of many colours surrounded The Shepherd. I looked and felt joy and exuberance rise in me, and I ran to the couple saying it was THE SHEPHERD.
Example: The shepherd has a staff. He takes the staff and reaches out beyond the periphery of the cave to the pew in the church where I am kneeling and crooks the staff around my neck, pulling me inside the cave. At first I am frightened and pull away from him. I tug at the staff but it is no use and I am drawn inside the cave. Once there I am a different person… everything inside me seems to be connected and I feel very sure of my actions. I reach down into the cradle of straw and cuddle the Baby in my arms. His Mother smiles her approval but as she does so her smile changes into that of the Hermit and then into the cherubic face of the small Baby God … they are all one… I am deeply moved and wake up crying.
Shield
Desire for protection, or to protect.
Shine
See: Glow.
Ship
This often represents your feelings about your journey through life and what you meet. It can also show what is happening in a relation-ship. In some dreams it may show hopes of change, new things. See: Boat.
Shipwreck is personal breakdown, being unable to cope with life.
Shirt Blouse
Feelings and emotions to do with your public image. See: Clothes.
There are many different types of blouse or shirt. Some are connected with work, with leisure, with being attractive, or with practical use, such as a T-shirt or work shirt. So it is helpful to define what you feel the shirt or blouse links with, then consider what it says about that facet of your life. Also it might be the shirt or blouse in the dream is inappropriate for the situation or setting. In which case see Inappropriate clothes.
If you dream of a discarded shirt or blouse see Discarded clothes.
Idioms: Stuffed shirt; shirt sleeves – informal; get your shirt in a knot; give you the shirt off his back; lose your shirt; stuffed shirt.
Useful Questions and Hints:
Why is the shirt or blouse a special feature in my dream, and what does this tell me?
What does the shirt or blouse add to or take away from what I feel in the dream?
Does the style or age of the shirt or blouse tell me something about its meaning?
See Techniques for Exploring your Dreams – Secrets of Power Dreaming
Shit Shitting
See: Toilet – Excrement – Compost.
Shiver Shivering
Fear or conflict; excitement such as held back sexual passion; getting near to release of unconscious material.
If it is in a dream, it is probably the onset of release of emotions, or LifeStream. See People’s Experience of LifeStream
Idioms: Give one the shivers; send shivers up one’s spine.
Shoes
Shoes in general suggest the situation you are in or a position in life. They can also indicate your character or chosen way of life through what type of shoe – a plain shoe, a fancy expensive shoe, an impractical and painful shoe.
With the right shoes we can walk in places we could only manage with great difficulty barefoot, so they can show you the character traits, life skills and strategies you have developed to deal with rough life situations.
Example: I put on boots to go outside on the raft. There’s something out there. It’s a pet, but scary too. I realize (again), that I must wear foot coverings because of possible poison things I could step on, but they’ve been stolen along with my can opener and other survival, important items. I go out pretending my bare feet are covered. I look out over the water. It’s cold, deep, and dangerous. B.S.
In some dreams shoes point out what direction you are taking in your attitudes – i.e. formal dancing shoes in a discotheque would suggest outmoded approach, so the shoes can show a way of life.
Some shoes are worn by particular social groups, for instance D.M’s are a cult shoe, and so – for instance – can stand for young women who do not want to conform with previous female stereotypes.
Barefooted: Going through a rough patch in life if walking is difficult, or feeling unprepared to meet your present life situation. Letting go of the everyday duties and responsibilities, or feeling in contact with nature and your life situation if enjoying it. Feeling embarrassed about not being ‘properly’ dressed, or that you are not conforming.
You might also have taken shoes off to walk quietly so as not to be noticed. If this is so it suggests you are trying to fade into the background in some way.
Boots: If male boots, usually about ability to meet difficult life situations, but practical and maybe not fashionable. Also strength and being down to earth practical.
If female boots they often connect with feelings about looking good, attractive or sexy.
Sport boots as with football boots, indicate the skill to be part of a team or handle ‘the ball’ – the challenges of life – well. One can also be ‘given the boot’.
Boots can also be used as a weapon to kick with, so at times can be used in a dream to show fear of violence or desire to hurt.
Clogs: Something slowing you down or making you clumsy. Perhaps is a wordplay on being clogged physically or mentally.
High heels: Feeling less secure in your footing in life. Feeling in an uncomfortable life situation. Feeling, or wanting to feel sexually attractive.
Gym shoes/boots: Ability to be sure footed in what you are undertaking. Feeling comfortable in yourself. If they are being worn in a formal situation it suggests you might be taking a too nonconformist approach to something.
In female dream: In many women’s dreams shoes are shown as a fashion accessory – matching other clothes. So this links with an awareness or sensitivity about how you appear.
Jogging shoes: See: Gym shoes.
Large shoes: Taking an attitude or role you are not quite big enough a person to fill – or having an attitude you can grow into – depending on feelings in dream.
Losing shoes: Not being clear about the right attitude or approach to your situation, or situation shown in dream. It can also suggest losing, or losing sight of the skills or strength to manage what you face. For instance you might to feel at ease or confident meeting someone if you didn’t have any shoes on, and this type of dream points to exactly that type of feeling.
Example: I am not wearing anything on my feet. This really troubles me, as I see myself searching endlessly for my shoes. For example I am at school, although nobody is looking at me, I feel inwardly embarrassed without my shoes. Debra
Low heels: Comfortable way of life or attitudes. Practical approach to a situation
New shoes: A new start, new direction or a new attitude or way of dealing with what you are meeting in life.
Odd shoes: Two different not compatible ways of dealing with a situation. Being ill equipped to do what you are confronting, or feeling clumsy or in conflict about something. Perhaps making use of old ways of dealing with life that do not ‘fit’ the present needs or the person you are now.
Old shoes: This is either about an outworn way of life, or one that is known, comfortable and really fits you – depending on the dream.
Reversed shoes – the right shoe in my left foot and the left shoe in my right foot: Feeling confused, almost a reveresal to childhood, so still learninng the bestway to present yourself. An uncomfortalbe situation.
Sandals: Lack of formality or a relaxed way of dealing with life. It could suggest inappropriate attitudes in some dreams where they are not suitable for what you are walking over.
Shoes from different roles i.e. nurses shoes: May indicate our need for the qualities of that role.
Shoes not fitting: Trying to live with the wrong attitude or approach. An ill fitting situation in life or in a relationship. Something not right.
Shoes without anyone wearing them: This can suggest the presence of an unseen, lost or dead person. It can also indicate a way of life you have left behind – the person you were.
Slippers: Depends on how they appear – in a hospital scene, a home scene, as an expression of being helpless – Consider the feelings in the surrounding dream scenes to understand their meaning. Sometimes points to attitudes that are not functional or appropriate in the given life situation.
Sole of shoe: one’s inner feelings, or the way you meet the rough parts of life experience.
Someone else’s shoes: Trying out a different way of life, copying someone else’s style, or perhaps you feel impoverished in your own life style or direction.
Taking off or discarding shoes: Leaving the past or an old way of life behind; dropping a long established role; being open to change; relaxing as you emerge from a situation or attitude, as when you might kick off your shoes at a party or in a relationship. See: nude.
Tight shoes: An uncomfortable or painful life situation, or one that you do not have a large enough understanding of or attitudes to deal with.
Work shoes: Denotes something you are working at or giving effort to. This is usually to do with changes you are making, either in yourself or outer life. This only seldom relates to the actual work you do. The work shoes, the meaning depends on what work the shoes are for.
Idioms: Be in someone else’s shoes; don’t criticise your brother until you walk a mile in his moccasins; if the shoe fits, wear it; fill his shoes; the shoe is on the other foot; shoes like boats;.
Useful questions:
What type of shoes are they – babies shoes, working shoes, dancing shoes – define them and this leads to what they are suggesting?
What is the quality of the shoes, and what does this suggest about the way I am dealing with life?
Do the shoes depict a particular role, such as business or soldier?
If these are old shoes, what phase of your life might they link with, or what do they show they have been through?
See Techniques for Exploring your Dreams – Secrets of Power Dreaming