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Water as a symbol "I am a 23-year-old woman. Yesterday, in my dream I saw myself swimming in an ocean.I am all alone and no land is in sight. Yet, I do not fear and keep moving on." SUCH a dream, wherein one sees oneself swim, portends success for the dreamer. The lack of land indicates goals that are not clear. However, at the same time lack of fear and the attitude to move on is a sign of perseverance and courage which shall help her to succeed. Swimming as a symbol augurs success, but the water in which the person is swimming is an important consideration. For the person to swim in muddy water is an indication of dangers in the path of success. But if the water is clear, then prosperity and pleasures shall accompany success. Turbulent water predicts obstacles in your path to success, whereas calm waters are indicative of a smooth path. Psychoanalytically,
enjoying the simple act of swimming in your dream is common among
those who were once bedwetters. They, now, repeat in their dream a
pleasure they have long since learned to forgo. |
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Again, along with the context the meaning also does change. For instance, dream of swimming (accompanied by fear) indicates a fear of water — which could be the result of a past experience — or strict toilet training measures undertaken by the parents, so much so that the child subconsciously still carries a fear of the act. Let us take another example of a dream which occurred repeatedly to a 15-year-old boy. I am swimming in muddy water. Suddenly I see a boat not far from me. I swim towards it, but it keeps moving away. I shout, but no one hears me. Ibegin to feel tired. I wake up fearing I shall drown." Muddy water is a common concept used to describe difficult situations or matters which are not clear or specific. The sight of a boat, his swimming towards it and inability to reach it are indicative of missed opportunities. Feeling tired and the fear of drowning portray his confusion and helplessness in the face of such a situation. Unlike the earlier dreamer, he lacks perseverance and gives up too easily. Astrologically, swimming in muddy water predicts troubled times. The sight of a boat and its moving away portrays unclear goals. His fear of drowning and tiredness predicts lack of success in matters he shall try to accomplish. Thus as seen, in accordance with the context, the simple symbol ‘swimming’ becomes insignificant and other factors take precedence. While analysing dreams, one should understand that no hard and fast rules exist. In dreams of swimming, even the matter of swimming under water or above the water surface is significant. While swimming above the surface brings forth success, swimming under water symbolises struggles and anxieties. Psychoanalytically, dreams of swimming under water, according to Freud are a reflection of your pre-natal stage. Water stands for the amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus in the mother’s womb. A different interpretation of dreams of swimming is for non-swimmers. It could be the subconscious desire to learn swimming or the fear of drowning,as one does not know swimming. "Courage comes by being brave, fear comes by holding back." — Publilicus Syrus. So instead of holding on to your fear as an armour, why not try and get over it by giving it a try? With each stroke you learn, your fears shall ebb away and a new spurt of confidence shall replace it. |
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