FAQ

Can your thoughts and feelings right before you go to sleep have an effect on your dreams?	Yes. Your recent state of mind and emotions are often incorporated into your dreams. Dreams typically portray what's on your subconscious mind at the time of the dream, which often includes events and "emotional residues" from earlier in your day. For example, if you watched a scary movie just before going to bed, you might have a nightmare with similar themes. If you go to sleep feeling stressed, you might have stressful dreams or "Toxic Dreams." Some people attempt to gain clarity on a certain topic by posing a pre-dream question to themselves just before going to sleep. This "bedtime intention" technique can also be used to reinforce a desired change in one's self, such as increasing self-acceptance or responding more non-judgmentally to others.
Does a certain dream symbol mean the same thing in every dream?	No. Dream dictionaries give some standard or common meanings of dream symbols, but symbols can mean very different things in each dream and for each dreamer. Consider what the particular symbol means to you, or what comes to mind when you think of that symbol. Also consider how the symbol appears in the dream—where it is, what is happening with it and how, when it appears within the series of dream events, or anything else that stands out about the dream symbol.
How can I get a symbol added to the dream dictionary?	When you search for a term and it is not found in the dream dictionary, the term is recorded in a list. Periodically, the dream expert checks the "Not Found" list for new terms to add to the dictionary.
How can I remember my dreams more often or more clearly?	When you wake up after a dream, before you open your eyes—review the dream in your mind from beginning to end. Don't try to make sense of it or figure out what it means yet, just replay the entire dream in your mind. Then open your eyes and write down your dream from beginning to end. If you just get up out of bed and go about your business without doing these things, the dream is likely to fade quickly from memory. Also, many people find it helpful to set an intention to remember your dreams just before they go to sleep at night. Try putting more energy towards the idea of remembering and interpreting your dreams, too. Start a dream journal or notebook, spend time interpreting past dreams—and use what you learn to make positive changes. The more you pay attention to your dreams, and the more energy you put towards them, the better the chance you'll remember your dreams in the future.
I had a really strange dream. Will you interpret my dream for me?	This site does not do custom dream interpretations. Our intent is to provide some possible meanings to get you started in your own dream interpretation process. To have your dream analyzed by an expert, try My Dream Visions.
If I die in my dream, does that mean I will really die?	No. In a dream, death usually represents a "symbolic end" of a phase in the dreamer's life, or the close of a chapter in your life before the beginning of a new one. Death can also represent feeling victimize, or like someone is taking advantage of you ("sucking out your life energy," so to speak).
Is my dream going to come true in real life?	A dream that is an actual prediction is very rare. The subconscious mind often uses the dream state to "try out" certain scenarios—whether they are true or not, and whether they might or might not happen—just to see what that scenario would be like and how you would feel about it. Also, the subconscious mind can use the dream state to create a scenario that youwould like to happen, or that youwould not want to happen.
What do my nightmares mean?	Most often, nightmares occur when you have "toxic" things in your body—such as unhealthy foods or other substances, emotions (fear, anger, etc.), negative thoughts, or stress. For instance, many people have nightmares after eating too much junk food, or when they are stressed out, or when they are full of strong emotions after watching a scary movie or experiencing a traumatic event. Although nightmares can have meaningful content, they are often triggered by the toxins or stress affecting your mental and emotional state. I find that recording my dreams has become increasingly impossible because I feel overwhelmed by the thought that these memories must be recorded for future reference. How long do I need to keep the written records of my dreams? Keep in mind that dreams typically portray thoughts and feelings about your current and recent life situation. So, when you have a dream it's best to interpret it immediately (or within a day or so) and get the insights it provides while it's fresh. Dreams most likely likely apply to your life right when you have them and often become outdated within a few days, no longer representing your current feelings, thoughts, situation, etc. And if you miss a dream with a message or issue that really needs your attention, you're likely to dream about it again later, or it may come to your attention while you're awake. So, my suggestion is to not worry so much about preserving your dreams for future reference, but to benefit from their meaning in the "here & now" as they occur. It's up to you how long you want to keep your dream descriptions, but keep in mind that they usually have a short "shelf life."
What does it mean when a dream is really vivid and feels like it is really happening?	Often, a vivid dream can that you remember very clearly after you wake up means that the subject of the dream is very important or emotionally significant to you, or that you feel it's something that needs your attention right away. Also, a dream that really stands out more than other dreams can be a "life map" or "milestone indicator" showing a turning point, achievement in personal development, or a transition from one phase of your life to the next.
Where do the definitions in this dream Dictionary come from?	Site content for TheCuriousDreamer.com is provided by Nancy Wagaman, M.A., a psychology expert specializing in dream interpretation for personal growth and enlightenment. Her approach is intended to help dreamers tap their dreams as a source of inner wisdom and self understanding that they can put to use in improving their own lives, relationships, and experiences. Her background includes an M.A. in Applied Psychology, a B.A. in Psychology, and a B.A. in Biology, and she is trained in Reiki, GEM, MATRIX, and other healing modalities. She has been featured in the media as a dream interpretation expert, has written many articles on dreams and other personal growth topics, and maintains a professional life coaching and consulting practice. The intent of the site is to give dreamers greater insight into themselves and their lives, and to assist them in their own personal growth process.
Why do we dream? What's the point of dreaming?	No one can really say for sure why we dream, and experts have many different theories. However, from the dreamer's perspective, I suggest that the more important question to ask is "what value can I get from my dreams?" Dreams provide valuable clues to what's lurking in the dreamer's subconscious mind at the time of the dream, including inner wisdom and insight into the dreamer's life and how to improve it for the better.