Dreaming of Rabbits

 

It's my birthday. I take a cake out of a box. It blows up into a huge, pink bunny. 

I was in my childhood house. My cat changed into a small, white rabbit with red eyes. I had learned a spell to change her back but couldn't remember the right magic word.  So, my cat was this sad, white rabbit hopping around my parents' backyard. I didn't want to lose her.

Dreaming of Animals in General 

Animal symbols in our dreams can symbolize many things. Sometimes, an animal can represent a totem animal or spirit guide. (See Dreaming of A Bear), Animals in dreams can also exhibit qualities about ourselves or others that we might want to investigate further. Recurring animals dreams (See Dreaming of Rats) could happen in order to get our attention and can relate to phobias. 

Psychological Meaning

Freud, of course, saw animal dreams connecting to your sexual nature. Humans have tended to think of animals representing our most base, primitive selves. Carl Jung noted that animals in dreams symbolize our instincts. 

 Symbolism of Animals in Dreams

If you dream about an animal, you should then look at the symbolism of the particular animal. This includes universal symbolic meaning as well as what that animal personally means to you (i.e. Did you have a rabbit as a beloved pet? Or were you bitten by a wild rabbit as a child? ). How you feel about your dream symbol contributes greatly to your dream meaning.

Rabbit Symbol Meanings

A Rabbit has a few different symbolic meanings. The first ones are related to the general characteristics of a rabbit.

• fertility and sexual activity
• warmth 
• shyness or timidity
• hopping (as in hopping from one thing to the next - not staying put)
• loyalty

There are also universal symbols associated with the rabbit.

• good luck omen (the lucky rabbit's foot)
• magical power (the magician pulls a rabbit out of a hat)
• success is coming
• a good omen for love

Why is the Rabbit Considered Lucky?

There is no definitive answer to how the tradition of carrying a rabbit's foot came about or saying "rabbit rabbit" to bring you luck. One thought is related to the old tradition of carrying a dead criminal's  hand as a powerful charm or amulet, "The Hand of Glory" (obviously rabbits' feet would be easier to get than dead criminals' hands!) Additionally, the rabbit's foot might correspond to the good event connected to the place it was taken from (i.e. the location of a battle won). 

Does Colour Matter?

Colour does matter in dreams, as different colours have different meanings. In my case, I think the fact that the rabbit was white was significant. For one thing, it reminds me of the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland who served as a guide for Alice on her adventures. White also represents purity. Red in dreams signifies passion or war but a white rabbit with red eyes is actually an albino rabbit so I don't think the colour of the eyes in this case in significant. It was just a common rabbit type.

Phrases Related to Rabbits

Sometime there are sayings or phrases that literally relate to your dreams. Some common ones that relate to rabbits are:

• Going down the rabbit hole  - being led somewhere or deep diving into the unknown
• Pulling a rabbit out of a hat - you were lucky
• As mad as a March hare - crazy
• Going at it like rabbits - self explanatory:)

Interpretation of My Dreams

These dreams happened on different days. In the first dream, I take the fact that the dream was about my birthday to interpret the rabbit as a good sign for luck in the next year. Big luck! (related to the big size of the rabbit).

In the second dream, there are many factors contributing the to interpretation. First, where the dream takes place: my childhood home. A childhood home can represent your past (See Dreaming of a House).  Secondly, my cat. I see my cat representing a spiritual guide (See Dreaming of Cats). I was uncomfortable about her transforming into a rabbit and the magic involved in that. It did not seem she was happy with being a rabbit and I was afraid to lose her. So, while the image of the white rabbit represents luck coming, maybe I feel like it will not be within my control or that I have to control it somehow? Lots to think about. I should try going back into the dream and seeing where the white rabbit might take me. 

"Depend on the Rabbit's Foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit!" - R. E. Shay

Dreaming of a Name

In my dream I lived next door to a man. In real life, it was an old boyfriend, but in my dream he went by the name of Charles Lieberman. In the dream, he was more of a neighbour figure. He had a large house with a hot tub and a big tree. I knew I recognized him from before but I accepted him as this new, unknown person. He said, "Call me Chuck."

There have been a few times in my life where I have dreamt of a name. Usually, when I look it up, however, I can't see the connection. Sometimes it's a full name but other times all I get is an initial or the beginning of a name. (For example, E.... like Ed? Edward? Eric?)

Do Names in Dreams Have Meaning?

We know that in dreams things are never quite what they seem. An image of someone you think you know might actually stand for someone else. Or the person you see in dreams may be a composite of many different people. (When I dream of a man it will often switch between my ex-husband, my dad or a boyfriend and I take that to be "a male figure of importance".) So, it might not seem to matter what your dream image's name is. However, I feel like when the name is emphasized, like you can see it in writing, how it's spelled, that is an important aspect of the dream to remember.

Some Examples of Names in Dreams

Sometimes, names are given to you by someone in the dream. As seen in the photo above,  the angel Gabriel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to call Mary's baby Jesus. The name Jesus literally means rescuer or messiah. I would say the first step in deciphering what a name means, if it does not have an obvious connection to your life, is to look up the meaning of the name. There are all kinds of lists online that will give you some suggestions. Maybe the name in the dream is referring to a quality you or someone else embody? Like Audrey (bravery), John (grace), or Lucifer (the devil) for example.

Also, when a dream images introduces itself to you by name, that's important. The most well-known example that comes to mind is from The Christmas Carol where each ghost that visits Scrooge introduces himself by name -  "I am the Ghost of Christmas Past....". In the story, this helps to set the stage for Scrooge (and the readers) to give it context. And aren't dreams essentially just stories we are creating in our head to make sense of life?

Names give us, and other people, identity. If you dream that you or someone else has a different name, maybe that means the identity has changed or is in transition?

The Meaning of the Name

 I looked up the meaning of the word Charles - it means free man! (I guess that might means he's still single:) I love the urban dictionary definition of the name: "awesome, fucking awesomest person the world, attractive, smart, loyal, best friend you could ever have..." Sounds like the perfect neighbour, right? And the nickname he gave, Chuck, makes him even more so! Then I looked up the last name, Lieberman, which means dear or beloved. Wow, could this guy be any greater!

The reason I am writing this blog post is because when Googled the name I was given in the dream, Charles Lieberman if you remember, I was a little surprised to see what it said. The first person listed ended up being a famous ENT (ears, nose, throat) specialist in the States. This may not mean anything to anybody else but, since I have been struggling with undiagnosed ear issues for a couple of years now, I found it very interesting! I admit I was taken aback actually because my dream was not specifically about my ear issues nor I had even been thinking about them. It was kind of like a gift my dream gave me (so maybe dreams aren't just stories after all?).  I now need to explore this theme and the writings of the real C.L. further. Maybe my reading will lead me to find a cure for my condition? Or maybe I need to investigate the idea of hearing/not hearing more within the dream?   I will keep you posted!

Dreaming About a Party

I dreamt I was hosting a Christmas Party at my house. I invited m ex-boyfriend and his children but they avoided me all night. Then my dream switched to a different scenario where they didn't come at all. I spent the party feeling anxious and wondering why. I thought he would at least text if he wasn't coming. Did something happen to him? Or was he just not interested?

Symbolism of a House

I have written quite a few blog posts about the house symbolism in dreams - Dreaming of a House, a Basement and Hell, Dreaming of a House Surrounded by Water, Dreaming of a House. Basically, a house is a symbol of yourself. Different rooms represent different areas of your psyche.

Symbolism of a Party

A party is a celebration. It indicates that life is good! Having it in your house means you might have the need to celebrate yourself.

However, if you are not enjoying yourself at the party, it might indicate that you have doubts about your social situation and life in general.

Having a party at your house is essentially inviting people into your psyche, your very personal space. A party represents the social aspects of your personality.

What Does My Dream Mean?

So knowing what the party theme symbolizes, I think that in my dream,  I was inviting my ex to have a look at my new life - a life I am proud of and want to celebrate. But although I tried in two different scenarios, he just wasn't interested. In the second scene I was even trying to make excuses for him that may or may not be legitimate. However, I take this dream s a very clear sign to move on with my life.

Dreaming of a Wheelchair, Airport and Golf Club

I dreamt that I was in a wheelchair going through airport customs holding a golf club in my hand. There was nothing wrong with me so I don't know why I was in the wheelchair. The customs agent told me I would have to check both the wheel-chair and the golf club so she took them away. I was concerned because they didn't have any tags or packaging so I didn't know if they would be okay or get lost.

There are a few images in this dream - an airport, customs, golf club and wheelchair. To put the dream into context, I have been learning to play golf and have been contemplating taking a trip. The wheelchair image, however, completely baffled me. I don't think I have ever dreamt about that symbol before.


The Wheelchair 

Being in a wheelchair in your dream can mean that you are feeling helpless. Interestingly, chairs traditionally represent female sexuality. The image of a wheel represents the need to move forward.

In my dream, this aid was taken away from me and I was concerned, even though I didn't really need it. This suggests that I have been relying on something that I don't really need to. I need to, literally, "stand on my own two feet" in order to make changes.

An Airport

This image represents a place of transition. Being in departures means new beginnings on a journey. The area of Customs in an airport is a place where you are told what you are allowed to do. Things can be taken from you that you don't want to give up. In this sense in my dream, the customs agent can be seen as a sort of spiritual guide.

The Golf Club

As I said, I have been learning to play golf. In golf, you are basically competing against yourself, so it suggests self-sufficiency. A golf club can be used as a weapon (think Tiger Wood's ex-wife smashing his car...) and in my dream, I was kind of holding it like that. Specifically, the club that I held was a driver, which could represent my own "drive" to move forward.

Putting It All Together

It is so interesting to see how these symbols relate to each other and overlap in meaning. As well, seemingly random images, that I thought were just remnants of my waking life,  actually have meaning too. My takeaway from my dream then is that I am on a spiritual journey or in a transition to something new, but I have to let go of both my drive and feelings of helplessness in order to continue.

Dreaming of French Fries and other Random Things

I am riding in the back seat of a car with my children. My husband is driving in a crazy, manic, manner. Suddenly, my children and I are transformed into giant french fries, in a fast food box, and we are limply flopping around.

Sometimes dreams can contain really random images(see Kim Kardashian's Mushrooms) I can't remember if I had french fries to eat that night, that would explain a lot.

According to many dream dictionaries, french fries can symbolize frivolous things. They could also suggest aspects of the fast food culture like cheap ingredients, cheap prices, or lower class culture. Based on these meanings, dreaming of french fries could suggest that you are experiences these things or feelings in your waking life.

In my dream, I was left with a feeling of being helpless and out of control, like a limp french fry flopping around in a container I was afraid to fall out of. My dream seemed to suggest that I was feeling this way, helpless and without control in a relationship where my husband was is the driver's seat.

What are some random images that have shown up in your dreams?

Dreaming of a Hotel

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I'm in an expensive city hotel. In my room there are girls I went to high school with. Some of them are in the jacuzzi that is in the middle of the room. I feel insecure and judged.


While dreaming of a house suggests exploration of your inner psyche, dreaming of a hotel can represent occupation with your external more public self. It could mean you desire an escape from yourself or that you are in, or wish to be in, a more unsettled, temporary situation.

The condition of the hotel you dream about could shed some more light on the meaning of your dream. If your hotel is chic and expensive you could be desirous of these things in your life. Whereas, a hotel in an old, or dilapidated condition could represent unhappiness with your material possessions.

Hotels are public places and in your dreams will usually be populated with people in your life, ranging from family members to acquaintances, to strangers you may have seen. In my dream above, being in a hotel room with classmates from high school gives me an opportunity to sort out feelings of insecurity I might have in my daily life.