DREAM SYMBOLS LETTER B
baby a new start; begin something new; fresh and unique ideas growing; pregnancy; acting like a baby; rebirth of the self to a new awareness or higher levels; feelings, hopes; wishes; fears. What is just beginning in your life and needs a lot of care to thrive?
babysitter taking too much responsibility; not knowing your limitations, or reach of control; trusting someone to care for the most important being in the world to you. Whose safety and good health do you feel responsible for?
bachelor bachelor time to settle down; study it more deeply; single-room apartment. Who is the lonely and swinging bachelor?
back stabbing; stand up for yourself; stop turning your back on yourself; an issue is being ignored and it won’t go away, deal with it; getting your “back up”. What are you turning your back on?
backpack find a new place to live; a change of scene will do you good; think back to a time when you were free; packing resentments. Who is carrying the whole world on their shoulders?
backyard something from people close to you; be more open and friendly with people you see every day; something buried or private; something is behind you but you haven’t done everything with it that you psychologically can. Who isn’t minding their own business?
bad perhaps you are just too darn good; something gone sour; naughty and not nice. Who is being bad and what are the consequences?
badge give yourself a reward; deserving. What are you not honouring in yourself?
badminton back and forth, back and forth; your thoughts are flying; get some exercise; stay focused on the point of the game. Who are you going back and forth with?
bag you have it “in the bag”; tired out and “bagging-off” work; return an item to the person it belongs to; feeling overworked and needing a holiday. Who has been left “holding the bag”?
bagel take your mother out to lunch; a hole-in-one; remember your roots; Jewish food often associated with New York. How are your lunches just going around and around?
baggage put down the burden you are carrying; clean out a closet; feeling resentful, like a third wheel to a couple; unpack old feelings and settle down. What extra baggage are you carrying around?
bagpipes it might be time to “pipe down” on that issue; someone is telling you to be quiet and you don’t want to; drink plenty of water and speak your mind. Who do you know who is Scottish?
bait fishing for compliments; someone tormenting someone; summer sport. What are you wanting to attract to yourself?
bake you need to give things time to rise and heat up before acting; process things gradually; some things take time; big changes are happening to you and you are feeling under scrutiny. What are you “baking up”?
balcony get a higher perspective on your problems; stop worrying about upcoming evaluation; promotion may be indicated; get used to giving presentations; something hanging over you that you need to take care of. Who needs a higher vantage point to get a better perspective?
bald don’t lose those precious thoughts; feeling unduly exposed; time to face the bald truth; someone being brutally honest. How are you not being completely honest with others?
ball you are “on the ball”; go dancing; you feel like crying over something; it is time to get on with it and play ball. What task do you need to screw up your courage to do?
ball and chain feeling trapped; joined to something unpleasant. What are you allowing to hold you back?
ballet take a lighter approach; it is okay that you are not a ballerina; feeling muscle bound; get out and dance. Who is keeping you on your toes?
balloon something is swelling up; check your lungs, stomach or breasts; someone full of “hot air”; something about to burst or pop. What are you afraid might float away from you?
ballroom you need more space to move; go out and have a good time; sexuality indicated. Who needs more room to express themselves freely?
bamboo take some time off and go fishing; a trip to the orient or some tropical isle. How are your joints?
band don’t be afraid to “blow your own horn”; listen to your own tune amid the confusion. Who’s on the bandwagon?
bandage you don’t have to cover up; a sore spot; a temporary solution. What do you need to patch up?
bang change your hairstyle; something needs your attention. What gives you a thrill?
bank be careful on those sharp turns; look at what you are counting on; money concerns; go and sit by a river; saving for a rainy day. What does money mean to you; love, power, sin?
banker figure of power; father-figure; problems related to financial security. How is your dream-banker dashing your hopes, or making all your dreams come true?
bankrupt fear of losing all your money; having lots; afraid of owing people. What does your dream show that you are lacking?
banquet there is much to choose from; take your time; look at changing banks (bank-quit). Who is giving all the speeches?
baptism a new life starting; cleansing; making promises; a trial or ordeal. What important new project are you embarking upon?
bar bar something is stopping (barring) you; legal issue; alcohol consumption; in need of comfort, as in childhood bottle; unhappy and lonely; desire to let down inhibitions; rigorous discipline of a ballerina. What problems are you having related to night clubs?
barbecue eating too much meat; visiting your neighbours, or having the family in; “keeping up with the Joneses”; it’s Barb’s cue. What part of you is sauced and burning?
barber don’t let anyone cut off your thoughts; a “close shave”; a figure of power who cuts off other people’s power. Who is giving you a trimming down or cutting it close?
barge moving clumsily and slowly; getting tugged around. What wouldn’t you “touch with a barge-pole”?
barn be sure your money (hay) is stored safely; tidy up your house; home for the body; needing to rest and take care of your body; acting like a rooster. What is so great about living in a barn amidst the animals?
barracks feeling controlled at home; no privacy; a need for companions. When were you living communally or in an institution?
barrel roll it out and have some fun; run in the rain; drinking too much beer. Who is shaped like a barrel?
barricade putting up barriers; an obstruction; feeling defensive and threatened. Who or what are you trying to protect?
bartender may represent parental figure supplying the dreamer with mother’s milk; missing mother; a friendship of doubtful value. Who is being paid to be your friend?
baseball be a team player and everybody wins; you won’t strike out; have confidence in your own ability. Who is doing the pinch-hitting?
basement that which is deep within us; base unconscious impulses; a deep look within. What is your dream-basement revealing about you that had previously been hidden?
basket a time for gathering, holding, or storing; you have been carrying something long enough; you scored! Who is the “basket case”?
bat “going to bat” for someone; having sensitive inner radar; keep your eyes open; pangs of conscience; unacceptable thoughts; being “batty”. Who, or what, are you swinging at?
bath wash away those annoyances; submerge yourself in those unwanted emotions and let them drain away; baptism may be indicated; “white-washing” a shameful act or urge. How are you being born again?
bathroom discard what you don’t need; take care of yourself; hiding away from something; secrecy and shame. When do you feel down in the dumps?
battery time for a tune-up and a recharging of your energy; get connected; rest and recharge. Who is getting attacked?
battle you have a disagreement with someone; life is going too smoothly; time for some excitement. What in yourself are you battling?
bay window sticking yourself out there; bring the sunshine in; eating. Who might be pregnant?
beach you are on the edge of a new discovery; ready to take the plunge; waves of emotion threaten to wash you away, but you are on solid ground; being at the border of a powerful self-discovery; happy and healthy attitude about sex. When were you last at the beach?
beads you need to string those plans together so things will hang right; being overly nervous and hot; take a steady aim. Where do you keep the beads?
beans beans can signify good luck; in high spirits; feeling low; bloated; drinking too much coffee. Where have you been?
bear come out of hibernation; give yourself a big hug; you might have to bear down more firmly to get what you want, but don’t be overbearing; feeling exposed; putting up with something. (See bare) Who is having difficulties “bearing-up” under the circumstances?
beard courage and virility; show your true face; shyness; hiding behind; sexuality indicated. Who do you know with a beard?
beast you have forgotten your basic instincts; rough; coarse; cruel. Who is denying their basic desires and instincts and acting so holy?
beat something getting the better of you; searching around for something; run away; drive away; set a lower price; feeling a desire to strike or hit; exhausted; time to take a rest. (See beet) When will you be ready to throw convention to the wind?
beaver you don’t have to work so hard; hiding behind dams; busy; being eager. What is your connection with Canada?
bed (double) intimacy isn’t only sex; it’s sharing your thoughts and feelings; feeling safe and comfortable; pay attention to your dreams. Whose side are you on?
bed (single) you are strong enough to do it on your own but don’t forget you do have friends; a desire for intimacy or a relationship; planting flowers. How might this symbolize your desire for more independence?
bedroom be sure you get enough sleep; not enough room in your bed; wanting more intimacy in your life; feeling shy. Who is distracting you from developing a more intimate relationship with yourself?
bee stop doing so much and just be; taste the sweetness of life; someone trying to sting you; business. Who is getting something from you with honey?
beer time to get hopping; missing your beer buddies; relax and take some time off. Who do you kow with a beer belly?
beet beet restlessness in your blood; get to the root of the matter. (See beat) Who is pickled?
beheaded keep your head; set your direction and go for it; know what you think about something; separating thoughts and feelings on an issue. (See decapitated) What do you need to give more thought to?
bell being “saved by the bell”; think what this dream reminds you of; a momentous occasion; stopped before the task is done; dinner is ready. For whom does the “bell toll”?
belt you are holding something together; don’t over-eat; there are other ways to solve a problem; acting unfairly; childhood punishment. Who is in the middle?
bench you have been sitting on the sidelines long enough; not getting permission to demonstrate your skills; watching life go by. Who are you judging?
berry lips as red as berries; sexuality indicated; picking. (See bury) Who has “given you the berry”?
betrayal there is a part of yourself you are not living up to; revealing secrets; an issue of trust; time for forgiveness. How are you feeling betrayed?
Bible check sacred writings for guidance; feelings of guilt and shame; dream has important lesson. What part of the Bible is similar to your dream message?
bicycle time to travel more slowly and get exercise; some things you don’t forget. . What cycle is coming around a second time?
big a situation seems too big, or too small; you are big enough to handle it; feeling small. Where are you feeling insignificant?
bikini something skimpy; not covering up much; a need to be more discreet; sexual desires; exhibitionism. Who is wearing the bikini in your dream?
bill owing; a person named Bill; you satisfy all the requirements; time to pay up; paper money. What are you proposing?
billiards billiards time to play ball; getting “behind the eight ball”. ”. Who has missed their cue?
Bingo you have hit the jackpot; check which numbers add up for you. Where are you taking a chance?
binocular are two ways to see everything; something in the distance needs a closer look. Who is having trouble seeing into the distance?
bird your soul soars to get height and brings you peace; a prayer answered; it might be time to leave the nest; look at the thoughts flying around you. What has “a little bird” told you lately?
birth something new starting for you; taking a long train ride; bringing forth something; pregnancy may be indicated. What do you consider your birthright?
bisexual pay more attention to your same sex friends and what they are showing you about yourself that needs further development; being too traditional and stodgy. Who is confusing sexuality and love?
bishop sometimes it’s wise to move diagonally toward something rather than head on; wise counsel. What wise counsel has your dream bishop given you?
bite bitten off more than you can chew; sink your teeth into it; holding back words. How are you afraid of being defeated?
black look at dark parts of yourself; in the black, profiting; afraid of the dark; opposite of white. Who is acting cheerful?
blackbird dark thoughts may be bothering you; bake or eat a pie; let the black thoughts fly away. What black memories are circling around you?
blackboard remembering those school days; having trouble seeing what’s written; learning. What special message is written on the dream blackboard for you?
blade cutting remarks; cut something, or someone off; sharp and witty. Who is the dashing man?
blame feeling sorry for yourself; victim attitude; finding fault. Who is getting all the blame?
blanket something is being covered up; a broad statement to cover the whole thing. Who is your “security blanket” and are you taking them with you everywhere?
bleeding losing something precious and life-giving; suffering; sorrow; using the whole page; not pregnant. Who is the “bleeding heart”?
blind there is something you are deliberately not seeing; lack of understanding; hiding to catch something; a trip to Venice. Who is in a “blind rage”?
blizzard a storm of emotion around you; stinging words hurtled; cold. How can you calm the confusion around you?
block building something piece by piece; obstruction; remember your childhood play; selling something; keep your head when others panic; putting things into compartments; filling up. What are you blocking off?
blood threatened and enraged; early sexual experience; wish or fear of pregnancy; your family is very important; be careful where you put your energy (life’s blood). What do you need to be shocked into accepting?
Bloody Mary alcohol which is seemingly harmless; great for hang-overs; rage and addiction. Who is drinking too much?
blossom in full bloom; opening up; fully developed. Who is the blossoming flower?
blouse covering up; being modest; loose; not tidy; sailor clothes. Where do you wear blouses?
blow leave quickly; currents of emotion; full of hot air; somebody dropping by; forget the whole thing; explode; get angry. Who has made a mess of things?
blue you have “true blue” friends; peace and tranquility; watch out for that bluebird of happiness; unexpected news; indecent jokes. Who is feeling sad?
board boredom; dive in; a person on a board; neglecting something; paying for your meals. Who is not being “above board”?
boat you are riding on the surface of your emotions; missing the boat; in with someone. Who isn’t in any hurry?
body the main part; keeping it all together; body and soul; having a lewd or raucous time; “busy body”. What health message is your dream revealing to you?
boil hot; ready to bubble over; reducing something; a sore spot. Who is boiling mad?
bomb someone ready to explode; feeling “bombed-out”; be a comfort (a balm) to someone. How can you “defuse” the situation?
bone need to face the bare bones of an issue; bone tired; study up on something extra hard; do not hesitate; follow your intuition. Who do you have a “bone to pick” with?
bonnet the past can teach us much; look for that bee (thought) hiding in your bonnet; sun protection. Who is just an old-fashioned girl?
book new knowledge coming to you; time to make that appointment; time to “go by the book”; in your opinion; punishment; in or out of favor with someone. Who is not in your good books?
bookmark a special book to look at; mark your spot; special day. Where is that special website you need to revisit?
boot don’t spend all your time on the computer; check what’s in your car trunk; dependent; someone has a high opinion of themselves; walking a long distance. Who needs to be “given the boot”?
border on the edge of something; a dividing line; getting close. Who has been overstepping their boundaries?
boss telling someone what to do; being irresponsible, and wanting someone else to make decisions for you; father indicated; overworking. How does your boss remind you of your father, and how is that causing you to act inappropriately?
bottle don’t bottle that up any longer; sending out a call for help and hoping someone will pick it up; someone might start drinking again. Who, or what, is stuck at the bottle neck?
bottom the foundation of something; discover the source; on your way up; underneath something; feelings of superiority. Who’s up there?
bounce watch those cheques; something coming back to you; lots of energy, or lack of energy; kicked out of something. What is going up and down in your life?
bouquet time to have something sweet-smelling and special in your life; smelling something bad. Who deserves a bouquet today?
bow don’t forget that special present for someone; shotting arrows; getting pulled taut. (See boyfriend) Who is pulling your strings?
bowl containing something; hold onto it; have a night out; feminine symbol of holding, and taking care of. What is threatening to bowl you over, or have you been knocked off your pins recently?
box good things come in all kinds of packages; give yourself the best box seat; a fight; “Pandora’s Box” of evils better left closed; curiosity satisfied. What is “boxing you in”?
boy younger, vulnerable self; remember or imagine feeling like a boy; excited and energized about something; going where the boys are. (See buoy) How is a situation from childhood repeating in your life?
boyfriend be a good friend to your masculine side; someone back in town; an inner, balancing point of view. Who is your new boyfriend?
bracelet let someone brace you up (brace-let); punishment. Who, or what, is handcuffing you?
bragging overly self critical; compensating for feelings of inferiority; needing the approval of others to feel okay. Who is being overly modest?
braid weave together all the strings for a tidy whole; three coming together. When did you wear braids?
brain computer; at the “end of your rope”; eager about something; get the answers; don’t think too hard or long about it. Who thinks they have all the answers, and isn’t using their brain?
brake time to slow down; look for what is about to break; be released; watch where you are going. (See break) When did you last have your brakes checked?
branch a good time to branch out or branch off; a subsidiary of the main plant. Who is “out on a limb”?
bread the staff of life; money concerns; be sure your bread is buttered on the right side. Who is well-bred?
break a time to go for it; trying something new; put an end to something; heartbreak. (See brake) Who is getting all the lucky breaks?
breast need some mother love; wanting comfort, worries about breast and heart health. Who needs to confess completely?
breath out of breath; check your air supply for toxins; take time to “catch your breath”; speaking too quietly or afraid to speak out as in “under your breath”; someone needing a change of scene; get a “breath of fresh air”; saying contradictory things; holding your breath in anticipation; something spectacular. How are you “wasting your breath”?
breathe relaz; breathe new life into something; keeping a secret, “not breathing a word”, take in energy. Who or what is breathing down your neck?
bribe you need something that you are willing to pay anything for; illegal’ or unethical activity; trying to get something the easy way. Where are you being coaxed into something you don’t really want to do?
brick someone in your environment who is “thick as a brick”; don’t brick yourself in; building a solid foundation. Who can you really count on?
bride a new beginning; you can always start over; changing from girl to woman; wanting to recreate earlier happiness as a newlywed; joining with another for a long time. Where else do you wear white?
bridegroom getting ready to do something new; taking the leap; fear of commitment. Who is caught between desire and commitment?
bridge time for a reunion; cross over to their side to see their point of view; join both sides; tempted to “burn your bridges”; bridging this dream message to waking life. Who is holding the winning hand?
bright spiritual dream; new awareness; shining in the dark; quick-witted; “all that glitters is not gold”. Who is the bright star?
brocade dress up; fancy ball; all dressed up, but no place to go. Who are you trying to impress?
broom time to make a clean sweep of it; get rid of old stuff. Who is the wise woman in your midst?
broken something finished; get over it. (See break) Who has a brother named Ken (bro-Ken)?
brooch being stuck; getting pinned; broach the subject with sensitivity. Where is the catch?
brother a close friend; brotherhood; loyalty; pointing to an issue or concern with your brother; dream brother may be representing your true feelings and situation. Who is like a brother to you, or who is like your brother?
brown browned-off (annoyed) with someone; earthy; basic; cozying up to the boss. Who is scoring “Brownie points”?
brush something being brushed away might need your further consideration; given the “brush-off”; hiding in the brush; untangle your confusion. What do you need to “brush up” on?
bubble you have thin protection around you; something is bubbling up and getting hot. Who is living in a bubble?
bubble gum chewing away on something; memories of childhood; blowing hot air; mulling things over, but not taking anything in. Where have you been sticking stuff that you are finished with?
buck male sexuality; being thrown off your position; time to buck up; someone is “passing the buck”; money matters. What are you resisting?
bucket be sure there isn’t a hole in your bucket; enjoy those new bucket seats; don’t try to buck it; telling someone to “buck off”. What are you refilling constantly?
buckle check what needs to be more securely fastened; someone is bent out of shape; childhood fear of punishment. What do you need to buckle down to?
buffalo puzzled; intimidated; extinct; getting stampeded; white buffalo in Native North American tradition is the “dream holder”. . What are you nostalgic to experience again?
bug letting things bug you; be sure you are not overheard; time to take care of tiny details; instinctual urges. Who do you feel like you are bugging?
bugle time to wake up; a pal from the forces. How do you start your day?
building time to build on what has happened; coming to a conclusion; look at the basic structure. What are you building toward?
bulb bright new ideas; a new start; something has potential to get a lot bigger; a new invention. What bright new ideas are worth pursuing?
bull someone is not telling you the truth (giving you the bull); in the wrong place and doing damage (bull in a china shop); take the bull by the horns; take a stand; take time to stop and chat; stubborn. Who is the Taurus in your life?
bull dog don’t let go; wrestling the problem down. Who is getting old and stubborn?
bullet hitting the mark; shooting your mouth off too soon. Who is as fast as a moving bullet?
bull’s eye you are “spot on”; you did it; feeling competitive. What are you aiming for?
bully good for you; shadow side of the warrior, which comes out when the fear is denied. What do you have to prove?
bum tired out; you’ve had enough; just hanging around; seeing the back or end of someone. Who is getting the “bum’s rush”?
bun severe; someone needs some sweetening; not the main course; luncheons; pregnancy may be indicated. Who has nice buns?
bungalow all on one level; someone living in a bungalow; don’t bungle it. Who lives in a bungalow?
bunk staying over; a pack of lies; two layers of meaning. Who is “bunking” with you?
buoy bouncing around on top of things; in the midst of a sea of emotion; lighting or sounding the way; guidance; getting knocked around. (See boy) What is warning you not to go that way?
bureau storing your identity; weathering a storm; changing your image. Who is being investigated?
burglar stealing energy or time from yourself or your family; stealth; deceit; taking what’s not yours; may represent father. What is being stolen from you?
burlesque teasing; stripping away the outer surface; being sexually promiscuous; attention seeking. What is not being taken seriously?
burn being “burned up” about something; time to “burn your bridges” and move on; let the past go; treated unfairly; exercising strenuously; hot tempered; sexual passion; destruction; high fever. Who is “hot under the collar” or suffering from burn-out?
bury time to dig up those old feelings and deal with them; denial; hiding something; forgetting the past; wishing someone dead; feeling overwhelmed and anxious. (See berry) What has recently been revived?
bus going along with the crowd; kissing; not being in control of the direction or the speed of your journey. What do you notice on the bus every morning?
bush hiding out; afraid of coming straight to the point; tired out. Who craves the uncivilized, and the wild?
butcher a cut up; acting the fool; slaughtering the innocent; a cruel person; pent-up anger. What are you butchering?
butterfly transformation; unfolding; taking many forms; socially flitting around; dressed beautifully. Who is trying to cut down on their butter?
button don’t reveal a secret; taking it on the chin; mushrooms; someone is “pressing your buttons”. What is round and will hold it altogether?
“The Buddha taught that truth is found within, not without. His image in a dream often serves to remind the dreamer of the need to find the stillness at the centre of his or her own being”
David Fontana
Letter B
There is a battle going on. I run over to see what’s happening. Three little black girls, triplets, about three years old, are all dressed up in their Sunday best and are running toward a shy quiet woman. I know they are her children, even though she herself is white. I wonder where their father is. One of the children is in the battle zone and bombs are dropping all around her. When the bombs stop, I run over to see if she is okay.
I look up battle and the question, “What in yourself are you battling?” is easily answered. My two brothers and I are dissolving our family business, and are presently snagged in financial battles. It is interesting that the dream depicts our opposites, three black girls, yet we are three white men. I wonder what opposite waking life action might be useful in resolving our conflict. I look up black and the phrase, “look at dark parts of yourself’ makes me feel uncomfortable, alerting me that this was probably a key message. What dark feelings have I been repressing? At first I dismissed three as obviously pointing to the three of us, but since it came up twice I decide to look it up too. Under three, I read that it is the number of conflict, which did fit. It also suggests the promise of “spirituality and growth”. The last word I looked up was bomb and read, “someone ready to explode”. Putting all this together, I realize that I have been denying my dark, explosive emotions for fear of upsetting our shy, quiet mother. I am the middle child and always felt like I was in a war zone between my brothers, unable to speak up for myself. My mother would get upset and I would feel guilty. My father was hardly ever there. For my own spiritual growth, I must recognize this black side of myself and tell my brothers how I am feeling.
My first step is acknowledging my dark feelings. Rage surges through me when I recall feeling victimized as a child by my older brother. The next morning I request a meeting with both my brothers. I find I can express my anger to them without causing a major battle. They are dumbfounded at how upset I’d been. We talk about when we were kids and how responsible my older brother had felt for us because our dad wasn’t around most of the time. My younger brother felt he had to act tough, because mom treated him like a baby. Now I see my brothers in a new light.
We were able to resolve our financial issues when we realized that the business had become an arena where we kept re-playing our old childhood patterns. Each of us had been battling for recognition and when we learned how to give one another the attention each desired, a unanimous agreement came easily. An added bonus is that I am now much closer to my brothers.
I was impressed by the way in which our situation appeared as an opposite form in this dream and how waking life situations are often opposite to what we think. I was always Mr. Nice Guy on the outside, but a raging madman underneath. I was excited to experience both sides of the number three, as a symbol of conflict, spirituality and growth. My dream, and the exploration of it, encouraged me to look at the conflict inside myself and with my brothers. I liked the fact that the children in the dream were girls, symbolizing for me my feminine side that craves nurturing relationships. When the dream ends, the little girl caught in the war zone is okay, and so is this little boy in waking life.