Understanding Dreams About Your Mother
A dream about your mother may be telling you something about your relationship with her. Strong mother-attachment may stall the development of your own individuality. Gaining inner independence from your mother is the first significant step towards realizing your true self. The mother may symbolize the unconscious, intuitive part of yourself, which can take either a positive or negative form.
Positive Symbolism
She may appear as a kindly mother, an aunt, or even a place such as a cave, church, or garden. These images represent qualities of growth, nourishment, and fertility.
Negative Symbolism
In her negative form, a mother may appear as a witch or a dragon, representing dark, destructive tendencies that can devour and destroy.
Psychological Interpretations
Freud's Oedipus and Electra Theories
Freud believed that the Greek myths of Oedipus and Electra symbolized psychological conditions. Oedipus killed his father and married his mother, which Freud claimed represented a boy’s incestuous desire for his mother and his jealousy towards his father. Similarly, Electra desired her father and was jealous of her mother. Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex, though no longer widely accepted, underscores the importance of the mother-child relationship in psychological development.
Jungian Perspective
Jungians associate the mother figure with the Great Mother archetype, which influences our psychological growth. The bond with a mother figure is fundamental at birth, and without it, normal development may be hindered.
Impact on Relationships
In a man’s life, unmet needs from the mother may lead to dependent relationships with older women or difficulty committing to long-term relationships. For women, the mother-daughter relationship affects all other relationships. If the mother relationship lacks nurturing, it may lead to unsatisfying relationships with both men and women.
Dream Scenarios Involving Mothers
Dreams featuring the mother figure can be a way of processing and moving forward from unresolved issues. Alternatively, such a dream might simply reflect your real-life relationship with your mother. How she appears in your dream may point to issues in your upbringing or your current relationship with her.
See Also: Archetypes, Mother Earth.
[1]Mother in Dreams: Emotions, Relationships, and Inner Guidance
Dreams about mothers often invoke powerful emotions, connecting us to deep-rooted feelings of love, nurturing, and sometimes conflict. These dreams can reflect real-life concerns about your mother or draw on valuable memories.
Dreaming About Your Own Mother
Dreaming about your mother can symbolize a variety of emotions: care, love, sacrifice, and acceptance. It may represent your inner nurturing side, or the deep knowledge and intuition that resides within you. If your dream involves tension with your mother, it may reflect real-life concerns or anxiety about your relationship. For instance, if your mother is trying to hurt or kill you in the dream, this could indicate that you feel restricted or emotionally threatened by something she does in real life. It may also suggest guilt or anxiety about becoming more independent as you grow older.
Dreaming of Being a Mother (Without Having Children)
If you dream of being a mother, even though you do not have children in real life, this may foretell surprising developments regarding a cause you thought was lost. It suggests a new turn of events that may restore hope.
Dreaming About a Boyfriend's Mother
Dreams about your boyfriend’s mother usually carry positive meanings, indicating that any disagreements will eventually be resolved amicably. However, if there is tension or arguments in the dream, this could predict that insensitive people around you will annoy you.
See Also: Family, Relationships, Intuition.
[2]The symbols of the mother have a remarkable versatility. On the one hand, the mother appears as an image of nature (i.e., life) and, conversely, as a representation of death (for the Egyptians, the vulture symbolized the mother). The mother relates to virtually all stages and circumstances of existence. It always represents our origin, our roots, security, shelter, warmth, tenderness, etc. At the same time, this symbol also appears when we die, that is, when we return to the bosom of Mother Earth.
Dreaming of this figure is usually more common during childhood. In adults, however, the maternal figure appears through indirect references. Often, those who fail to reach maturity still have these dreams. Acts of rebellion against the mother are also frequent. These episodes manifest adolescent dissatisfaction, the need for independence, and the desire to break away from the maternal ties. A dream of this kind can occur at any age. On the other hand, Freud referred to the Greek myth of Oedipus, who killed his father to marry his mother. According to the psychoanalyst, Oedipus was driven to this crime by incestuous desire and envy of his father. As for women, Freud believed that their feelings of inferiority were based on the jealousy they felt toward men. (See Also: COAT, WHITE, FOUNTAIN, INCEST, MOON)
Legends and myths of many traditions contain the symbol of the mother. She may appear as a figure of generosity or, on the contrary, be that bad guy in the story.
[3]The Influence of the Mother-Child Relationship in Dreams
Our relationship with our mother is foundational in shaping our emotional development and has a profound impact on our dreams. This bond often symbolizes the first connection we form, ideally one of nurturing and care, which lays the groundwork for how we relate to others in adulthood.
Impact on Men
For men, unresolved issues with their mother can manifest in dreams through dependent relationships with older women or an avoidance of relationships altogether. Dreams may continue to highlight this challenge until the man is ready to confront and resolve the issue. As he matures, dreams may focus on the emotional significance of losing his mother, symbolizing his need for independence and growth.
Impact on Women
In women, the relationship with their mother influences all future relationships. If this bond was problematic, a woman may find herself nurturing needy partners, both male and female, while failing to meet her own emotional needs. Dreams can offer pathways for resolving these dynamics, providing a means to work through the relationship with the mother on a symbolic and emotional level.
Overcoming Challenges Through Dreams
Working through maternal issues in dreams can lead to greater personal success—both materially and spiritually. Once we come to terms with this primary relationship, we can unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Positive Archetypes of Motherhood
Positive dream images of motherhood can connect us to powerful archetypal forces, such as the nurturing energy of Mother Earth, helping us gain a deeper sense of belonging and purpose.
See Also: Archetypes, Mother Earth.
[4]Nurturer, compassion.
The relationship that we have with our mother is the most psychologically significant relationship of all. Rarely all good or all bad, our mothers always invoke powerful emotions. We may dream about our mothers in many different forms. She may be disguised in our dreams, and it is our job to find her in there.
If you are dreaming about your mother, you may be addressing some issues or concerns in your dream, or your dream may be based on a valuable memory.
The general image of “mother” in a dream may symbolize a variety of feelings and ideas: caring, nurturing, love, acceptance, hard work, sacrifice, martyrdom, etc.
The mother in your dream could also represent the “collective unconscious,” the source of the “water of life,” and the yin. Carl Jung suggests that women in dreams represent our collective unconscious and men the collective consciousness. Thus, the woman is that force, or current, inside of you that nudges you on and inspires you.
It is your intuition and the knowledge that in not necessarily attached to words. Men, on the other hand, represent the active part of us that use the information received to create the physical reality of our lives. When the two are working together well, we have balance and experience awareness leading to peace and productivity.
See Also: Parents
[5]Vision: Dreaming about your mother means either a bad con- scicncc or the need for emotional support and a sign of good things to come. But the dream can also be a warning: stop— you are on the wrong path. Watching a happy mother caring for her child: vou are going to be part of a joyous, happy occasion and might even profit from it.
If the mother is anxiously looking after the child: someone’s misfortune is going to affect you. Dreaming about your deceased mother: you have done your grief-work; the dream could also be a warning about taking thoughtless actions you might later regret.
Depth Psychology: If vou rarelv dream about vour own mother, that is, in the eyes of psychologists, a sign that your emotional connection to your mother is good.
If you dream about your mother frequently, you may fear that you will never become emotionally independent. Unresolved childhood issues are another reason for frequent dreams about your mother.
If the dream is positive: you are at peace with yourself and the feminine and unconscious aspects of your personality.
See Also: Father.
[6](Educator, Eye-brow, Governess) Seeing one’s mother in a dream has a deeper and a stronger meaning than seeing one’s father. All the same in one’s dream, seeing her means attaining one’s goal. Man’s dreams are most pleasing when he sees his parents, grand parents or a relative.
If one is going through difficulties and sees his mother in a dream, it means that help will come his way from sources he does not anticipate. Ifin real life he is awaitingsomeone’s return from ajourney, that person could arrive shortly. Ifone is sick, it means that he will be cured from his illness. Ifone sees his mother giving birth to him, should he be ill in real life, then it means the approach of his death, for a deceased is wrapped in a shroud, while a new born is wrapped with a receiving cloth. Ifthe person in question is poor, then seeing his mother in a dream means that his financial conditions will change for the better.lfhe is rich, it means restrictions of his earnings, for a child is dependent on others, and his movements are restricted.
(See Also: Earth)
[7][DREAM IMAGES: MATRIARCH, MOTHER NATURE]
The mother archetype appears in many forms—mother, princess and witch— and is symbolized by the primordial mother, or ‘earth mother’, of mythology, by Eve and Mary in Western traditions, and by less personal symbols, such as the church, the nation, a forest or the ocean. According to Jung, someone whose own mother failed to satisfy the demands of the archetype may well be one that spends his or her life seeking comfort in the church, or in identification with ‘the motherland’, or in meditating upon the figure of Mary, or in a life at sea. In dreams, mother figures suggest nurturing aspects of ourselves and others, or the need for greater compassion and selflessness; they can, however, also suggest the shadow side, which is overprotection, abandonment, cruelty and abuse. Bear in mind that the qualities that are associated with this archetype can be expressed in other than biological ways, such as giving birth to books or ideas, or nurturing others.
See Also: FAMILY.
[8]Your own nature, the archetypal feminine— life-giving, nurturing, devouring, protecting, that which is fruitful and fertile. When the mother in the dream is your real mother, it points to a bad conscience because of past behavior toward her. When the mother in the dream refers to the internal mother, it points to a desire for psychological support that is often not provided by a partner.
The mother in a dream, as well as in fairy tales, is often the helper whose strength, in a negative as well as positive sense, reaches beyond death. She is the Witch, the Wise Old One, who gives correct advice, the Earth and the goddess of the earth.
The symbol of the mother also addresses the task of self-discipline. Be a good mother to yourself and thereby become productive.
According to Jung, the mother is the archetypal symbol of “the secret, the hidden, the dark, the abyss, the temptation, the poisonous, and the inescapable.”
[9]To dream of your mother signifies the nurturing and protective side of your personality. Mothers are known as life-givers, comforters, counselors, and protectors.
It is probable that you are experiencing some difficulties in seeking out your own identity because of your close ties with your own mother.
To dream that you are having a conversation with your mother means that something is bothering you and you are unsure of how to handle it. This may be an unresolved issue with your mother.
To hear your mother call you in a dream signifies that you have been lazy in attending to your duties and responsibilities. You are being reminded to get your act together.
To hear your mother cry in your dream symbolizes disease and unfortunate events.
[10]Dreams about mother are very common. Starting with childhood there is the dream of protection, love, and our very sustenance. These are the normal, happy dreams of contentment. One of the earliest interpretations of mother dreams where she is at home in a joyful mood, signifies pleasure and just rewards for the dreamer.
To dream of talking with her indicates anxiety.
To hear her calling you, sorrow because of her absence, or your guilty conscience.
To see her in an accident or dead is sometimes a wishful dream; she will not interfere. This last type of dream must be studied carefully because there would be symbols and surroundings that would round out the interpretation.
[11]To see your mother in dreams as she appears in the home, signifies pleasing results from any enterprise.
To hold her in conversation, you will soon have good news from interests you are anxious over.
For a woman to dream of mother, signifies pleasant duties and connubial bliss.
To see one’s mother emaciated or dead, foretells sadness caused by death or dishonor.
To hear your mother call you, denotes that you are derelict in your duties, and that you are pursuing the wrong course in business.
To hear her cry as if in pain, omens her illness, or some affliction is menacing you.
[12](1) A dream about your mother may be telling you something about your relationship with your mother. Mother-attachment may be so strong that the development of your own individuality has been prevented. Inner independence of mother is the first great step towards realizing your true self.
(2) In a man’s dream, mother may symbolize the feminine side of his psyche (See Also: Brother/ Sister, sections (4)-(6)).
(3) Mother may symbolize the unconscious; intuition; natural and instinctive life; the source of nourishment and growth for the psyche.
[13]This dream will vary in its interpretation depending upon your relationship with your mother, your view of motherhood, and whether your separation from your mother was graceful or traumatic. In general, dreams of a mother or your mother are about unconditional love, spirit, life, protection, nurturing or the lack thereof. Consider if you feel that your most tender feelings are being taken care of and nurtured adequately. This dream may signify that it is time for you to cultivate your own inner mothering skills.
See Also: Goddess Demeter.
[14]Your dream mother relates to the mother archetype rather than your real mother. Reflect on all the aspects of the mother role playing out in your life to resolve this dream.
• Sometimes these dreams represent survival issues but generally they signify a need to explore the relationship with your real mother and how that is affecting your current relationships.
• Do you judge your mothering abilities? Do you need to “mother” yourself more when this ream occurs?
[15]Again, this is a symbol that is highly personalized, and needs to be considered in light of the dynamics of your relationship with your mother.
If your relationship with your mother is or was good, you can expect happy times ahead. But if it was strained, someone may try to coerce you into doing something by pointing out things that he or she has done for you. Astrological parallels: The Moon (mother) Tarot parallels: The Empress
[16]The mother bestows life, love, and nurturing. Seeing a child being nursed suggests shelter, comfort, and protection. Seeing one’s own mother in the dream reflects guidance and care. Being the mother in a dream denotes taking care of self or of a significant relationship in the dreamer’s life. Alternatively, a mother can be a negative symbol if one has unpleasant association’s with one’s own mother.
[17]Usually represents older, wiser more experienced part of female self. Feelings you project on mother figure.
If negative feelings, often reflects hatred or resentment of own motherly self which gives away power to others, lacks self- love, takes care of others needs and neglects own.
See Also: Female.
[18]If you dream that you see your mother and converse with her, it indicates that you will have prosperity in life.
To dream that you have lost your mother indicates her sickness.
[19]The general image of “mother” in a dream may symbolize a variety of feelings and ideas, including: caring, nurturing, love, acceptance, hard work, sacrifice, martyrdom, etc.
[20](See Also: Mother-in-law), This is always a favor- able dream.
It is an omen that you will gain the esteem of the world through your uprightness.
[21]1. Holy Spirit,
2. Church or something that nurtures you;
3. Natural mother; Eph. 5:25, 31-32; Gal. 4:29:2 Tim. 1:5.
[22]To dream that you see your Mother and converse with her is a very favourable omen.
See Also: FATHER.
[23]To dream of your mother (living) denotes joy; if she be dead, sorrow (Gypsy).
[24]See Also: archetypes in the introduction, family, mummy(egyptian)
[25]See Also: People Metaphors, also mother, father in law
[26]Original left brain/ego ideas of self.
[27]See Also: Family, Archetypes
[28]Need to be nurtured.
[29](See Also: Women)
[30]See Also: family.
[31]See Also: Parents.
[32]To dream you see your own mother living, signifies joy. To see your mother dead, signifies misfortune.
[33]lucky numbers: 02-11-15-18-28-32
altercation with: wil take patience and an apology to quel animosity.
anxiously watching her child: are over-involved in another’s misfortune.
being dead: danger to property and you, personal y.
and speaking with her: are fol owing the wrong path and need to correct direction.
crazy: your business holdings are in danger; seek aid only from the family.
healthy: a family gathering gives you guidance; care wil take place.
in danger: your careless words are regretful; do better with your actions.
caressing her children: need comfort and protection from anxious days of il ness.
crying, your: must not let problems last past your childhood.
embracing own: expect good fortune and support from home.
hitting own: a catastrophe is ahead;must turn back to heritage for emotional security.
holding you in her bosom: sexual y insecure men can relate more easily.
homage to your, paying: peace and tranquility with pleasant memories.
in-law: an argumentative environment precipitated by you.
killing your: an inevitable death in the family, keep your anxieties quiet until then.
lap, sitting on: are hiding from the responsibility of ending an estrangement with her.
living with own: a security ful of compromises and limited functions.
of own: need someone to tel you it wil be al right.
seeing own, while far away: wil return to shelter, love and nurture your children.
step: the flexibility and adaptability of situational comedy.
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