There are a variety of teachings, which offer up ways to interpret your personal dream symbology. Many of these involve dream interpretation dictionaries, which cannot possibly tell you what your dream really means. Your dreams are unique only to you, because of your life experiences and interpreting your dreams can only be done by you.
Dream Dictionaries
Dream dictionaries are very similar to the generic horoscopes that are seen in the newspaper where every person who is a Scorpio or a Pisces is going to have exactly the same type of day. Obviously, this is not possible as we all live extremely different lives. Dream dictionaries work in the same generic way as the daily horoscopes without respect for your lifetime experiences. They are based on the mass, not the individual.
Different Dream Meanings for Different People
The meaning of your dreams is dependent on your life experiences. Your dreams tell a story using symbology you, and only you will understand from these experiences. If, for instance, you dream about being in an open field and, upon interpreting this part of your dream, you find that the open field indicates vulnerability to you. You do not like being that exposed. This is what that field means to you due to some experience in your life that made you feel that way.
Another person might view an open field in their dream as freedom or adventure, as there is no way of knowing what is on the other side. Perhaps this person lived in a city their entire life and views the field as a place of escape, a place with no rules, or a place that gives them the feeling of being able to breathe. This would be that person's personal meaning to an open field in their dream.
Working with Your Dreams
Though it takes a bit of time, working with your dreams is not difficult. It requires a piece of paper, a pen and a little time alone to determine what your dream symbology is telling you. You could also work with someone who knows you well, as they may know just the right questions to ask to keep your mind on task.
The first step in dream interpretation is to determine if your dream can be interpreted. Dreams that mean something to you will have a beginning, middle and an end just like any good story or movie. If your dream does not have this, then it is best to ignore it and wait for one that has something to offer you.
Once you have determined if your dream can be interpreted, write down all the nouns in column form in the order in which they occurred. Remember, a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. If your dream was long, you will have a lot of nouns. It is important that you do not miss any of these, as the nouns are what build your story. Keep in mind that you might have some action as well with these nouns. If you saw yourself stomping through a puddle, you would write, "Stomping through a puddle."
Look at the first noun on your list and ask yourself the following questions. "What does this mean to me?" "How does it make me feel?" What does it make me think of?" Write down your immediate first impressions without over analyzing. Remember the analogy about the open field and follow that example. Determine what the noun means to you. Continue this process until you have meanings for each of the nouns on your list.
Winding It Up
You now have a story, which will fit into your life, if you can match it to current events that are going on in your life now. Your dream will usually reflect something that has happened within the last week or less. Go down through your list and read each of the interpretations while remembering what has been going on for you recently. One or two of the meanings will stand out to you and allow you to piece the puzzle together. Your dream will create a story very similar to what you have experienced. It is really that simple.
Your Personal Dream Interpretation Dictionary
With a little practice, you will be interpreting and understanding what your subconscious is sharing with you in your dreams. Once you have a dream figured out, it is important to create your own personal dream interpretation dictionary with your own dream symbology. Your dream dictionary will never be of use to anyone else as it relates to your life experiences, which are completely unique to you. Dream interpretation can be very enlightening, allowing you to explore more deeply the events that life throws your way.
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