Abbey

Not mentioned by Artemidorus. Dream-books define this dream as one of comfort, peace of mind, etc. The symbolism of sanctuary is obvious.

Abbot, Abbess, Hermit, Monk, Nun, or Priest

To dream of becoming one, calmness in passion. Merely to dream of one, pride, or malice of which the dreamer will be the victim. The significance of this dream is evidently due to the regard in which the clergy of past ages held their gypsy brethren.

Abscess, Boil, Ulcer, Running Sore, etc

To dream of having any of these afflictions foretells good fortune and good health, preceded by a temporary sickness (Raphael). Dreams probably caused by irritation of the parts of the body afflicted in the sleep; the interpretation obviously attributable to the theory that these visitations clear the system of impurities, thereby conferring comfort after sickness.

Abyss

Impending danger, a dream of warning (Artemidorus); an erotic dream of warning (Freud); physiologists interpret this dream as a symptom of vertigo, due to apoplexy, etc.

Acacia Flowers

A dream of rest and tranquillity, say the gypsy dreamers. An erotic dream, announces Herr Freud, while flower symbolists proclaim the blossom as signifying "Rest to the Heart" The Egyptians held it as sacred to woman.

Accident

To meet with an accident or injury to any part of the body augurs suffering in that part (Raphael). Obviously a dream attributable to physical stimuli, and in accord with medical theory.

Acorns

A good dream according to Artemidorus, auguring health, wealth and happiness. If single, a happy marriage. Frazier describes acorns as articles of food through certain parts of Europe and therefore held in regard as a symbol of well-being. They also bore a certain significance as associated with the sacred fire in the worship of Zeus at Dodona. Bayley gives it as a phallic symbol.

Alley

Loss of property is augured here, a plausible interpretation from the gypsy standpoint, while the Freudian erotic meaning is less obvious.

Alligator

A cunning and dangerous enemy. The Freudians translate this as an erotic dream.

Almond

To dream of eating, future enjoyment, traveling in distant lands. If the almonds be bitter the journey will be unhappy. The almond has always been a sacred symbol throughout the orient. Bayley traces the name to al monde, meaning Lord of the World, sole protecting Lord.

Almond Tree

A dream of success (Raphael); the symbol of the Father of All, the Pre-existing One (Bayley). Freudians contend that all dreams of trees bear an erotic meaning.

Anchor

Hope fulfilled is the general dream interpretation, endorsed by Christian symbolism. The Japanese hold it as an emblem of security and safety. Inman hints at a dark and dangerous meaning to this symbol, but good usage sanctions the one already given.

Angel

A purely Christian symbol of protection, divine grace, etc. To the dreamer it augurs peace and happiness unspeakable.

Animals

Freud and others attach sexual significance to dreams of animals; dream interpreters, however, regard the dream of a number of domestic animals as auguring happiness, while wild animals symbolize enemies.

Ants

To the tradesman this dream augurs success; in mediaeval symbolism ants typify industry; Plato says the souls of unimaginative persons return to earth as ants.

Anvil

Prosperity despite obstacles (Raphael); an emblem of the primal force (Bayley).

Ape

A dream of deceit, treacherous friends and associates (Artemidorus); Plato taught that the soul of a bad jester would return as an ape; it is a modern symbol of unclean-ness, lust, cunning, and malice. It was, however, an emblem of wisdom in Egypt and of the god Thoth, patron of the art of writing.

Apples

Ripe apples augur success in trade, love, etc.; green apples, the contrary. The gypsy influence is distinctly traceable in the folk-lore of the apple as coloring the dream. It confers immortal youth in the fairy-tale, golden apples, love apples, etc., while in Christian symbolism it represents the fall from Eden, the sin that made Christ's coming necessary. Freud makes this a sexual dream, and Inman gives the apple as a symbol of sexual love.

Apple Tree

Alive and flourishing, good news; dead, bad tidings. In mystic literature, the apple is the tree of life (Bayley).

Archbishop

To see one in dreams, a sign of coming death; undoubtedly the gypsy outlaws established this unwholesome symbolism for the mighty prelate.

Arms

To dream of losing the right arm signifies the death of father, son or brother; of the left arm, of the mother, daughter or sister. To dream that the arms are withered predicts suffering in health and fortune; that they have grown strong indicates success.

The latter part of this interpretation is obviously based upon physical stimuli, and the conditions of the body may be deduced therefrom.

Arrow

An ominous dream if the arrow is directed towards the dreamer, or penetrate his body. Some person or persons are plotting against you (Artemidorus). An interpretation obviously derived from the significance of the arrow in warfare. Freudians regard this as a sex dream, probably tracing the symbolism to the arrows of Eros or Cupid.

Ashes

A dream of trouble and misfortune at hand. Christian symbol of mourning and grief.

Ass

A dream of patience that will enable the dreamer to overcome all obstacles. A Christian symbol of humility and patient endurance.

Ax

To see an ax in a dream denotes death; Freud designates this as an erotic dream, although the interpretation is rather hazy. Amongst primitive races the ax was the symbol for God or the Divine Being. Later it became a symbol of solar power; with modern times, however, its symbolism altered and it became a crudely murderous weapon.