Shadow dream meaning is explained below using 20 different sources. Each interpretation is shown with its source.
Interpretation 1 — Klaus Vollmar
If it becomes visible in your dream, a very important step toward increasing awareness has been taken.
You are beginning to become consciously aware of your “dark side.” The reason for the shadow in a dream is a sign that you are in the process of becoming aware of your Self. So, there is no reason to fear your shadow or try to avoid it.
The shadow is usually connected to the past or the future: old injuries are casting their shadow onto today’s behavior and emotions, and creating fear for the yet unborn reality of the future. Coming to terms with the shadow is necessary in order to understand life here and now. It brings intensity, wealth, and imagination to life.
If you are standing in somebody’s shadow, or are put into a shadow by somebody, this refers to low self- esteem. You have an inferiority complex—want to appear to be more than you are, want to be more accepted.
The shadow follows us but is not easily seen; it also provides protection.
Jung sees the shadow as an underdeveloped structure in people.
The shadow is one of the original definitions of the soul.
The chieftain of some Polynesian tribes loses his mana (power), if somebody steps on his shadow. In southern European countries midday was considered the ghost hour, because the shadow would then be its smallest and retreat. Behind this superstition was the fear that the shadow would disappear altogether and with it the soul and its relationship to the earth.
Interpretation 2 — Ibn Seerin
A shadow in a dream also means guidance, repentance, true monotheism and contemplating the Maker and His creation.
If one moves but does not see his shadow moving in a dream, it means abrogating the laws, discarding what is permissible, adopting what is unlawful, death, becoming motionless, or losing one’s senses.
The same interpretation applies if one’s shadow disappears under the sunlight, or under the moonlight, or in the night lights, or if his reflection disappears from the water surface, or from any shiny surface.
If one sees his shadow dancing in a dream, it means falsehood, lies, stealing people’s money, shifting one’s faith according to one’s personal interests, or that he criticize the conduct of God’s Prophet, upon whom be peace. Dancing one’s shadow over a carpet in a dream means invoking evil spirits, speaking their words after being possessed by them, and it means trials, temptations and evil.
(Also see Shade)
Interpretation 3 — Martha Clarke
Many superstitions believe that the shadow is part of the human soul. Stepping on it or throwing rocks on it is a sign of bad luck and the possibility of causing harm to someone.
If it is about one’s own shadow, you should be cautious.
Interpretation 4 — Zolar
being afraid of a: wil be threatened by a great enemy; you need to excise yourself.
your own: acknowledge your negatives and integrate them.
enemies, of: negative parts of yourself projected onto others.
evil spirits, of: what moral defect of yours is this expressing?
friends, of: beware of being tricked into believing their view of you.
many: an unrecognized negative wil overwhelm you.
misty, a white: blissful remembrance of your mother checking you in your sleep.
own: financial gains through legal affairs.
The: represents everything about yourself that you hate.
tree, of a: a friend you thought was faithful wil cheat you.
being in the: wil receive a proposal of love.
Interpretation 5 — Patrica Telesco
Dark forces that threaten to undermine your spiritual quest. Note that these forces can also come from within.
Your own shadow or alternate persona.
For the goodness to mean something quantifiable we must all overcome this darker side of the soul.
Shadow boxing represents an internal argument you’re having with your sense of morality.
Not having a shadow equates to someone with a soulless character, without depth or passion. In earlier times, anyone who did not bear a shadow was considered cursed, like vampires.
Interpretation 6 — Nancy Wagaman
An anonymous force or feeling.
A particular person, or the idea of someone unknown.
A subconscious issue or other dynamic.
Fear or another feeling.
Consider the context of the shadow, what it brings to mind, and how you felt about it.
See also the meaning for the specific type of shadow (such as a person or specific object) and whatever stood out about it (such as its action or perceived intention).
See Person Unknown, Shape, Darkness
Interpretation 7 — Stearn Robinson - Tom Corbett
However, if the shadows were not your own, their meaning must be gleaned by correlating the other details of your dream.
To dream of the shadow of a dead person is an indication of a temporary obstacle; the shadow of a living person is believed to be a warning against travel or unnecessary risks for a few weeks* time.
Interpretation 8 — Dream Explanations - Anonymous
See Integration Dreams.
Interpretation 9 — myjellybean
If the shadows in your dream were not your own, this suggests that there is an aspect of yourself that you are rejecting or want to keep hidden.
Interpretation 10 — James R. Lewis and Evelyn Dorothy Oliver
The dreamer often does not accept these parts of his or her personality and they are projected upon others until the dreamer can accept them and incorporate them into his or her psyche.
Interpretation 11 — Eric Ackroyd
Interpretation 12 — Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin
2. Commitment of relationship one is reluctant to make.
3. Rejection of one or more aspects of one’s personality.
4. One’s real self is being hidden or repressed.
Interpretation 13 — Tyler Wolfe
A shadow can symbolize a demonic presence or death depending on the emotion associated with the dream, Ps. 44:19, Ps. 23:4
Interpretation 14 — Betty Bethards
Interpretation 15 — Vincent Wienand
2. Hiding away from God;
3. Darkness; James 117; Col. 2:17; Ps. 91:1.