Dark Dream Meaning

What is unknown; not defined by the intellect or conscious self; unconscious; depression; confusing, terrifying; secrets we hide from self or others; things we do under cover of dark­ness’; age; the womb, death.

The following dream depicts particular aspects of darkness. Example: ‘It was a festival in this strange world, in which everything had a rather dark, dilapidated look’ (Tom). Dark here is ancient, things dating from times past. This may refer to our sense of our own child­hood which feels like the ancient past, or to our unconscious knowledge of family and cultural attitudes and experience. In general the ‘strange’ world of the unconscious or sleep.

Example: ‘I was overwhelmed by terror, as if the very dark­ness of the tunnel was a living force of fear which entered and consumed me. I screamed and screamed, writhing in uncon­trollable fit-like contractions. Nevertheless a part of me was observing what was happening and was amazed, realising I had found something of great importance’ (Andrew P). Be­cause the dreamer explored this dream with me, I know the darkness was depicting fear Andrew experienced while a nine year old in hospital. He was given a rectal anaesthetic because he was about to have a nose operation. He fought and begged for the nurses to stop, but to no avail. This led to a very real feeling that humans were terrifyingly dangerous animals who would not respond even if you were on your knees begging. So trauma was the fear in the darkness. Darkness here is the unconscious area of experience.

Example: ‘I am back in time looking at an old cottage. I see the windows, walls and doors, everything about the place.

It is dark and old and warm. I see the curtains and bedrooms, all the ornaments and I feel safe and comfortable’ (Mrs R). Here dark is comfortable, perhaps because it is undemanding, one is not in any glare of attention or activity.

It is the relaxed quiet of evening. This woman has a relaxed relationship with her unconscious.

Example: ‘I met a woman I know in a long, dark under­ground tunnel. She was waiting for me. We had sexual inter­course. She had a very formed vagina mouth, and a very large clitoris, like a small penis. I masturbated this’ (Norman). Nor­man has no fear of the tunnel.

It is his secret desire and pleasure which he admits to no one, often not even to himself. Dark here is one’s secret self.

Dark water: emotions which are felt and powerful but have not been defined or their source understood. Dark colours: feelings emanating from unconscious sources; depressed or unhappy feelings. Idioms: a dark horse; in the dark; keep it dark.

See night under day and night.

being in the: insecurities about the difficulties ahead, leave present problems unsolved.

children: suffer from an obscure il ness from fear of the unknown.

others: an emotional y dangerous situation must be resolved.

cave: use your fear to determine how to outflank your attacker.

closet: use your anxiety of another’s hidden intentions to block their carrying them out.

falling and hurting yourself in the: unresolved fears from a depletion of energy.

find light and follow it: lucidity becomes more difficult to grasp.

groping way out to the light: the passing through intel ectual darkness to clarity.

night: afraid of living to your ful est, when parts of self are dark.

passage, being in a: your options to shed light on situation are limited.

room, photography: a mystery, long troubling you, wil unravel.

small light: help for your distress is approaching; turn on your inner light.

suddenly growing: listen to message and careful y watch your surroundings.

very dim lighting, lost in: go only on your own power to explore the darkness.

walking in the: lack of comprehension of intuitive function.

If you dream that dark is falling while you are traveling it is an ill omen for any business you try to conduct unless the journey is finished before it gets dark.

If you are lost and cannot find someone in the dark then this denotes that others will try to provoke you to anger and you must heed this warning and keep your temper at all times.

2- Intellectually; we are in touch with the depressed, hidden side and may need to deal with the darker aspects of ourselves.

3- Spiritually, the dark side of oneself where chaos may reign, and where ultimately evil will prevail, unless some spiritual understanding can be attained.

To lose your friend, or child, in the darkness, portends many provocations to wrath. Try to remain under control after dreaming of darkness, for trials in business and love will beset you.

See Shadow and Integration Dreams.