DREAM SYMBOLS LETTER V
vacant find something to do, spending too much time thinking; lack of caring and honesty; an empty place; new spaces opening up; someone showing no interest. What changes have you been through lately that have left an empty feeling within you?
vacation working too hard; take time to rest. What did you do on your last vacation that you are still thinking about?
vaccinate needing protection; getting ready for a long trip; afraid some bug will get you. Who is needling you?
vacuum someone draining you of energy, get a new perspective, an opportunity is there for you to move into; stop sucking up; taking your lunch to work. Who has left you feeling empty?
vagabond feeling a need to wander; too many responsibilities. What do you want to run away from?
vagina an important message that could be an opportunity to change your life for the better; a journey to a new place; womanhood. What is coming down the pipe that is going to leave you with a lot more responsibility?
vagrant potential loss of financial security; being an outsider to your social group. Who has been shirking their responsibilities in the name of freedom?
valentine a secret admirer; romance in the air; make sure your heart is healthy. Do you have, or are you, a secret admirer of someone?
Valhalla in Scandinavian mythology, the hall in which heroes who have died in battle will feast with Odin; a building used for honouring heroes. Who is your favourite hero or heroine?
Valkyrie in Scandinavian mythology, each of Odin’s twelve handmaidens who hovered over battlefields and carried the slain warriors to Valhalla. Who are you hovering over and trying to save?
valley be more realistic; get a perspective on things; a commitment is coming to an end; needing to take the downs with the ups; feeling enclosed. Who needs to find a place to rest for a while?
valuable look at your values; not caring for something important; getting the most value for something; feeling worthless. What precious thing is your dream showing you?
vampire unsatisfied sex drive; late night; overindulgence threatening to overwhelm you; have your blood checked; life may be too dull. Who is draining you of your life energy?
van a person named Van; carrying too much stuff; a move may be coming up. (See car) Who do you know who owns a van?
vanilla need to do some cleansing; feelings of loneliness; need more support from loved ones; something losing its flavour.. Who prefers vanilla to chocolate?
varnish covering something up; glossing it over; someone with a hard outer coat; for external display only; only for show; needing protection. Who is acting in a superficial manner?
vase time to contain your feelings; be careful about being too open and telling others too much about yourself. Where could you explore new patterns of self expression?
Vaseline a need for protection; dry skin; vulnerability. Who is being slippery?
vault spending money too quickly; put some money in your savings account; jumping too quickly; high arches; storing things. How can you vault over the obstacle in your life?
veal acting younger than your age; being a delicious morsel for someone who is taking advantage of you. What innocent is being led to the slaughter?
vegetable boredom; lack of inspiration; eat more vegetables and see if this helps you feel more energized. Who has been sitting around too much lately?
vegetarian concern for health; needing more energy; feeling pressured to “eat right”. Who do you know who is a vegetarian?
vehicle traveling; carrying something; something to take you wherever you want to go. (See car, van, train, etc.) What do you do to get what you want?
veil hiding; a bride; hiding tears; curiosity about the beyond; a nun. What oath are you being required to take?
vein taking something to heart; being in a certain mood; the road by which you nourish yourself. Where is your “vein of gold”?
Velcro feeling stuck; easy to open; being noisily ripped apart. What are you trying to temporally stick back together?
velvet a hidden iron fist; wealthy; smooth; rich; soft; cozy. Who or what does this describe in your life?
vending machine small change; mechanical buying; frustration. What part(s) of yourself are you selling for a few coins?
ventriloquist a dummy in the picture; close lipped; speak up; find the real source of the information. Who is doing the talking for you?
Venus in Roman mythology, the goddess of love and beauty; identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite; brightest star; a beautiful woman; sexual love; the second planet from the sun. Who is the brilliant woman in your life?
verse experienced; skilled; regular stress; a special way with words. What verse in the Bible or literature is most helpful to you now?
vertebra backbone; able to stand up to it, segments; you are as young or as old as your back. Who is not getting enough exercise?
vertical straight up and down; stand up and be counted; something needs to be straightened up. What is up (or down) there for you?
vest show your arms; furnish with power; authority; take possession of; having a vested interest in something. What is the third piece to the set?
Vesta in Roman mythology, the goddess of hearth and household; worshipped in a round room with a fire kept burning by the Vestal Virgins; a chaste woman. What fire have you let go out?
vet love and care of animals; check it out carefully. In what field have you had so much experience?
viaduct a bridge; high over something. What heavy traffic are you carrying right now?
vice unclench your jaw; don’t hold on so tightly; undesirable habit. In what part of your life do you feel squeezed?
vice-president second in charge; proud of your vice. Where are you feeling like number two?
victim power over you; weak; afraid; change your definition of victim and take your power back; not knowing how strong you are. What part of yourself are you sacrificing?
video recurring images; old tapes playing; change the pictures; missing the big picture. What story are you playing over and over again?
village small town thoughts; country living; belonging. Where is your ideal village?
villain less-than-virtuous thoughts; a need to protect yourself. Who is the villain in your drama?
vine creeping; wending its way; tenacious; climbing the walls. What is slowly attaching itself to you?
vinegar the sweetness of life gone sour. Who is in a pickle?
vineyard ancient plant; a hot country; a sphere of activity; spiritual work; sour grapes. How are you preparing for a celebration?
violence undue force; breaking a law; infringe on; trespass; a fear of losing control; feeling afraid or less than; someone not facing what is troubling them. Who is using excess physical force to make a point?
violet shy; retiring; sweet smelling; the colour of violets; a woman named Violet. Who do you know who is a delicate violet?
violin sweet music; high pitched; strings too tight; being serenaded; music of the gods. What beau is making overtures?
virgin pure, fresh, new; unspoiled; inexperienced; someone named Mary; sign of someone born in Virgo. What new venture are you undertaking?
visit someone coming over; time to call a friend; punishment. What is it that you have to revisit and have a better look at?
visitor something coming to you; unexpected company. Who is expecting a little visitor?
vitamin need more energy; check your supplements. Who needs better nourishment?
voice remembering what a voice said in a dream can be a strong message from yourself; being in good voice; needing to voice your opinions. What do you have to speak up about?
volcano time to let the steam out; the pressure is building; don’t make a mountain out of a molehill; a violent outburst; new land forming. What is about to erupt?
volleyball thinking of school days; tossing the ball back; a need for aerobic exercise; part of a team. Who is volleying stuff at you?
volunteer being roped in for something you don’t want to do; helping out. What are you sorry you said you would do?
vomit a need to get rid of something; disgusted; an upset stomach. What is turning your stomach?
voyage a lengthy journey; a new undertaking; probing space. Where would you like to go?
Vulcan in Roman mythology, the god of fire; identified with the Greek Hephaestus; having pointed ears and good logic. What are you being overly unemotional about?
vulture a large bird of prey; fear of death; cleaning up what nobody else wants; someone ready to pounce when you are weak. What can you do to gain more strength?
“You move in consciousness .... to any ‘time’ or ‘place’ you choose .. usually in what you call your dream state.”
Letter V
I am the only guest at a large vacation home. The owner’s family has left their pet lions and tigers roaming freely around the house while they are away. I observe these wild cats with apprehension. I retreat into an empty room, closing the doors so the animals can’t get close to me. They seem tame enough, but I’m scared and also quite annoyed that the owners of this place would keep wild animals in their home as pets. 
I look up cat - wild and “natural instincts” fits my feelings for this dream. When I look up pet, “comfort and a friend” feels right because this was how I had always felt toward my cats. I reflect on how natural instincts might be my friends and how they might protect, rather than threaten me. I remember dreaming in the past about a lion as a pet. I recalled reading about recurring dreams in the Dream Wisdom section of this dictionary and how recurring dreams means that there is an important message I haven’t gotten or fully understood. I look up vacation and it says “working too hard”.
I have been feeling an urge to sell my house and make a major move. I’ve been nervous about this, wondering if it is really the “right” decision. I decide to trust my instincts and follow my urge to put the house on the market. I also cut out a picture of a lion and a lamb to remind me that the “wild” lion is my friend. 
I visited a beautiful retreat centre in the country and found there was rental space there. I committed to this and my house sold within the month. 
As I pack, I am learning to listen to and follow my natural instincts. Last week I dreamed of the lions and tigers again, but this time they were playing on the lawn outside my house. I was struck by their great strength and playfulness and realized I was more comfortable seeing them outdoors as I move closer to them into their territory. I respect their wildness and although I trust them more, I still keep a cautionary eye on them.