Finding A Dream Dictionary
Dream interpretation can be fun and informative, but the dream dictionary you choose can make all the difference. In this post, we'll explore the many types of dream dictionaries to help you find one that will fit your needs and provide accurate interpretations.
Sometimes, it's difficult to know where to start looking for a good dream dictionary. How do you know if it's any good? What is it supposed to be able to do for you? These are all questions I hear often when I'm helping people with their dream interpretations. Today, I want to talk about some of the different types of dictionaries available so that those who want more guidance in finding one can better understand what they need for themselves or their loved ones.
Where To Start?
When people search for dream dictionaries today, especially if they are just beginning to learn about it, they usually start with the basic ones that can help them understand what their dreams mean in a general sense. These are great tools to help you out, but there's something to consider when looking for such a tool. In most cases, these lists of common dream symbols are not as complete as you might hope. In fact, when searched for in an online dictionary list of keywords that list symbols for various symbols found in dreams and hallucinations (such as OBEs etc.), this type of dream dictionary is often incomplete. (Click here to see what is included on the list. )
If you're new to dream interpretation and looking for a tool that will help you understand the meanings of symbols that seem to be recurring in your dreams, this is exactly what you need. These general dream dictionaries can help with common themes and symbols used in dreams and give you a place to start your research. They'll also help with some of the more obscure symbols that might not be included in the keyword list mentioned above or any other dream dictionary list. But it's not complete—far from it.
If you're looking for a list of symbols that includes everything, then you should be looking at other dictionaries. If you want only the most common symbols, then use the lists like the one above. Think of a dream dictionary as a tool that will help you understand your dreams better, but not necessarily all the different types of dreams or meanings behind them.
Before reading further, I have one piece of advice for those who are stuck in an introductory state and need some "real" assistance: when you hear someone telling you that they can interpret your dreams and they cannot tell you what they mean, it's likely because they are using general dream dictionaries. These are good to begin with, but after you've been learning for a while, you'll want something more in-depth. This is why I recommend the carefully selected dream dictionaries below.
Dream Dictionary Categories
As I mentioned earlier, there are many different types of dream dictionaries out there and there's really no one size fits all. If you're looking for an easy one to use, I would recommend the tool offered by DreamMapping (click here to learn more about this great tool). This tool will let you browse through various categories of dreams and let you know what they mean. It's also very easy to use and will give you an overall idea of what the symbols mean.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a more detailed meaning in your dreams, then use a dictionary like Robert Van de Castle's dream guide (click here to check it out). He breaks dreams down into different categories and tells you what they mean through his own interpretations. This is a little more involved than DreamMapping but can be incredibly insightful.
You'll find that there are a variety of different terms used to classify different types of dream dictionaries. For example, you might come across the term psychoanalysis and not realize that this actually refers to another type of dictionary altogether. However, there are many different types and they can be used in different ways.
One type of dream dictionary is called a dreamnote. These are meant to be lifelike and helpful notes that you can refer to in the future when you have a similar experience again (such as when you're having another nightmare). Some dreamnote dictionaries are created based on whole topic areas (like social anxiety) while others are more individualized like dreamnotes that give you tips or suggestions based on your particular situation.
Another type of dream dictionary is called a book of dreams. This is a collection of dreams from various authors all put together into one book. These are great for historical purposes and can help you identify recurring themes within the dreams of others. They're also great for comparing your own dreams to those of others when you're having trouble finding a common theme for the dream you want to interpret.
Then there's the dictionary that actually makes sense in a way that no other type of dictionary can—the personal dream dictionary. These are used by people who have had many experiences with their dreams and have developed their own interpretations based on them over time. They've learned to see certain symbols as something they should be aware of or that they might be able to get used to them as time goes on. These are actually very helpful for people who are just beginning to learn about dream interpretation because they can give you a good idea of what others have experienced.
There's also one final type of dream dictionary that can help you interpret dreams but it's really not a formal dictionary at all. It's called a dream transcript and is exactly as it sounds—a written or typed-out version of your dream, along with some notes for important elements or symbols within the dream itself. You can use these on their own to help you understand your dreams better and have even been known to be used by some psychoanalysts and therapists themselves.
A Dream Dictionary List
If you're just getting started with dream interpretation or are looking for something that's more in-depth than the general tools I talked about above, here's a list of dream dictionaries that I think will help you and your dreams. This list isn't complete and will not include any unusual symbols or symbols from other cultures like symbols from ancient Egypt or Native American dream dictionaries. And there are many other great websites out there with their own lists of dream dictionaries, so be sure to check around and see what else is available:
DreamMapping dreamsite A collection of more than 200 different types of dreams and reflections. There are also some helpful tips for how to interpret certain elements within them.
Robert Van de Castle's dream guide This is an easy-to-use, alphabetized list of common dreams and the meanings behind them. It includes a variety of different topics to choose from.
Verbatim dream dictionary A great dream dictionary for people who have trouble interpreting certain types of symbols or metaphors in their dreams. This helps explain what various objects and situations are in a way that makes sense. For example, instead of explaining "DOG" as a type of animal, it's explained as "something that represents your rude behavior.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you to realize the value of a dream dictionary. If you're someone who has never really understood your dreams before, find that you have trouble remembering them, or think that your dreams may be trying to tell you something, then it's a good idea to pick up a dream dictionary and learn how to interpret them on your own. These can be incredibly insightful and can help you better understand yourself and the messages throughout your day. Just make sure you get one that is well-researched and uses symbols that are easy to understand so that it doesn't end up confusing or frustrating you instead of helping.