DREAM SYMBOLS LETTER O
oak strong, resilient and persevering; a history of determination and strength. How can your past history of moving through adversity help you now?
oar moving forward on your own steam; strength and physical exertion indicated; time to take a rest on your oars. What alternatives might you consider before making your final decision?
oasis needing a rest; a time-out away from daily pressures. How can you make a safe and harmonious retreat for yourself right where you are?
oats in need of comfort and kindness; more dietary fibre may be indicated; someone “sowing their wild oats”. Who is feeling their oats?
obesity worries about weight and appearance; fear of social rejection; being overly concerned about weight. (See fat) What problem is an overweight condition covering up?
obey acting rebellious; protesting the way things are done; being young and full of energy; feeling pressured to conform. Who is telling you to obey?
object a device symbolizing a part of yourself; someone is objecting; being treated as an object. How does the appearance and function of the dream object remind you of yourself, or your lifestyle?
observe when you are observing] in a dream you are watching a part of yourself; feeling disconnected; possibly precognitive; may be a warning dream. What are you not noticing in your waking life that is prominent in your dream?
obstacle something getting in your way; feeling trapped; frustration. How is the dream obstacle familiar to your waking life?
ocean unpredictable, large and life giving; mother relationship may be indicated; issues with mother seem overwhelming; new information about your abilities and potential; an important dream symbol that signifies a vital message; relationship with inner self reflected in the state of the dream ocean; being connected to an encompassing and life-giving source; representing the unconscious that holds many treasures; notice if your ocean is calm, turbulent, cold, or wavy. (see Sea, See) What is constantly flowing in and out of your life?
octagon eight-sided; the shape of a stop sign; there are many angles to look at. What happened in October?
octopus feeling smothered; pulled into something undesirable; somebody all over you like an octopus; an organization that has far-reaching influences. What old emotional patterns need to be changed?
odour memory of another time; nostalgia; warning about the future may be indicated. How is the odour in your dream familiar and what time in your life does it remind you of?
offering a need for giving service to others. What has been offered to you lately?
office work concerns indicated; acting indifferent or cold and businesslike. Who is behaving as if their relationships are all business?
officer a commanding presence; being ordered about; a policeman; feelings of guilt. Who is in charge?
officials feeling watched or criticized; judged; threatened with punishment. Why are you being hard on yourself about a little mistake?
ogre being bullied; treated like a bug; pushed around. Who is bullying you and not treating your views with respect?
oil financial abundance indicated; slippery deal that could pay off big; making things calm and peaceful. Who’s being slick?
ointment getting stuck; trapped; feeling unable to make choices; one little problem might stop the whole project. Who needs a salve for a skin problem?
old overdue; overstaying your welcome; concerns about aging; familiar. What’s getting old for you?
olive making peace with someone; sourness; Greek or Italian may be indicated. Who is offering you an olive branch as a symbol of apology or forgiveness?
Olympic feeling under pressure to perform; challenge and competition indicated. How are you trying to be an Olympian at something?
omelette feeling as if you revealed too much, too early; feeling intellectually vulnerable; high cholesterol. How can you mix something together in a new and creative way?
onions feeling teary, sad, confused; many layers to an issue; look deeper within. How can you cleanse yourself of some old patterns and start over from a fresh place?
opera a big drama happening; making big sounds; witnessing a moving event. Who is raising their voice with great emotion?
operation you need to take action; taking the problem apart to find the root cause; planning your moves carefully. What can be fixed by removing the problem area, or tying some loose ends together?
operator a person who manoeuver people for their own use; taking charge. Who is the smooth operator?
opponent anger, frustration and competitiveness may be indicated. How does your opponent reveal qualities that you find difficult to accept in yourself?
opposite thinking and making decisions in extremes; consider the opposite and find a balance. What is the opposite position you could take?
optical not able to see properly; missing important details. What situation do you need to look at more closely?
orange making friends; not getting enough liquids; needing to brighten up; warmth. How could you be more sociable?
orchestra hearing the music; making music together; a relaxing leisure activity. How are you cooperating with others for a pleasing outcome?
orchid rare and exotic; needing warmth and care; expensive date. How are you different from the usual?
organ solitary activity; playing for someone, or having them play for you; church music; might refer to your lungs and how well air is being pumped through them; check out your internal organs. What are some ways in which you can inspire yourself?
orgy sexual deprivation; time to get out and have some fun. How could you express your sexuality in ways that are safe and satisfying?
Orient exotic, unusual, spicy; mysterious; something eastern. How can you put a little spice into your life?
ornament a need to add some beauty to your life; extra; not essential; living like a monk. What part of yourself is for decoration only?
orphan loneliness; isolation; feeling that you don’t belong; wanting your mother or father. What is missing in your life that you need to adopt?
Oscar needing approval; deserving the top award. What big performance have you just completed and for which you want to be recognized?
ostrich ignoring a problem and hoping it will go away; long and beautiful plumage (hair); moving swiftly; can’t get off the ground. What or who are you hiding from?
otter take time to relax and have fun; swimming around in the unconscious can be quite enjoyable. What is it that you “otter” do?
Ouija board predicting the future for fun; asking difficult questions; wondering what is in store for you. How are you answering “yes” and “no” at the same time?
out outside; in the open air; out of sight; on the outs with someone; outbursts; feeling like an outcast; down and out; three strikes, you’re out; getting out from under; having a new outlook; feeling out numbered. What new outlet is your dream suggesting?
outhouse feeling uncomfortable and out of place; feeling punished; functioning naturally out of doors. Who is put out?
ovary being creative; full of potential; may indicate a physical problem; new beginnings. What is “oh very” something?
oven getting hot; cooked; overdone; feeling “on the hot seat”; going through a profound change; symbol for the womb. What is beginning to heat up in your life?
overboard losing your balance; plunging into the unconscious, or your emotions; going to extremes. What are you ready to throw away?
overflow extra, unnecessary, redundant; too much; flooding; abundant. When do you feel like the odd, extra person?
owl night person; associated with wisdom, age, good advice. What have you learned from your dream owl?
owner possessions, to take ownership; identifying with your possessions. What are you afraid of losing?
“It is not unusual for an older figure, invented by the dream, to do or say something reassuring, personifying the dreamer’s innate wisdom which goes far beyond her/his years.”
Letter O
Kathleen Meadows
I hear the sleepless Shaman in the attic next door. He is the only one who witnesses my special ability of flying. But no one knows he exists, so his witnessing doesn’t really count. What a gratifying sensation it is to fly. My flights are slow and peaceful but my stomach churns when I am landing.
shaman: inner self; spiritually advanced
I wondered what I could do to be less nervous about showing my art. I realized that a big part of the problem was how much I felt I needed other people’s approval to validate my work. I decided to have an imaginary conversation with my inner Shaman. He told me he has a special connection to people in the outside world and that he will make sure the only people who come to my art showings are those who would help me get closer to my true and inner self.
At my next art exhibit I felt much more relaxed than I had ever been at other shows. I was able to socialize without acting as stiff and defensive with the visitors. Opening night went well and I was approached by a wealthy woman who wants to put her energy and money into getting my work out to larger audiences.
I now make it a regular weekly habit to have an imaginary conversation with my inner Shaman. In this way, I receive the guidance I need and the encouragement and unconditional support that I had been needing from others. I remind myself to beware of expecting this “witnessing” from those who are not in the same head space as I am. Also, I am learning not to be so dependent on others for validation of what is for me, primarily, a great inner experience.