TL;DR- Dreams visit us in slumber and carry us through the night, but what does it mean when we have dreams of terrifying things? When you dream about getting pregnant when you don’t want to be, you dream about a tornado, you dream about floods, or you have violent dreams, meaning becomes important. Join Spiritual Blossom for part two of our guide to dream interpretations and learn about what these and some more frightening dreams can mean.
It would be wonderful if every time we dreamed the dreams were good. That's not always the case though. Sometimes we have bad dreams and those are called nightmares. Sometimes a nightmare is just a reflection of the fact that you're going through an especially stressful time, you're sick, or you're worried about something. Other times, however, your nightmares are trying to tell you something. What makes a dream a nightmare, and what does it mean? A dream might be frightening but that doesn't mean that it has to be a mystery and that's where our dream interpretation guide comes in. Read part two of our dream interpretation guide to learn about bad dreams about things like unplanned pregnancies, tornadoes, floods, being shot, or even escaping from a sinking car.
What Makes a Dream a Nightmare?
Nightmares are bad dreams, but usually there are more than just that. They can distress you to the point that they wake you up and make it difficult for you to get back to sleep if you can get back to sleep at all. They create real physical responses in your body and can make you worried that they're showing you bad things that will come to pass. Sometimes it’s so bad that recurrent nightmares have to be treated by medical professionals and some people lose a lot of sleep because of nightmares. Why do nightmares happen? Different people have had different answers for this question.
One explanation for a particular kind of nightmare is that it’s a hag attack. It is believed that a malevolent spirit called a night hag creates sleep paralysis, and sometimes kills people by suffocating them and this creates bad dreams while it's happening. Scandinavian folklore speaks of a creature, called a “mare”, that does the same thing, and it sits on people's chests suffocating them, giving them bad dreams. In some parts of Turkey, it is believed that the jinn create this phenomena and that a prayer to Allah will dispel them and protect the sleeper.
Not everybody thinks that spirits are responsible for nightmares though. Sleepfoundation.org says that nightmares are bad dreams that wake you up and they are more common during R.E.M. sleep. They say there is no consensus as to exactly why we have nightmares, but some experts have their opinions. Some experts believe that nightmares happen as a way of processing emotions and can be a response to traumatic events. There are a lot of things that can cause nightmares including medications, illness, lack of sleep, and stress. You can read their article here: Nightmares: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment | Sleep Foundation
Are My Dreams Prophetic?
Prophetic dreams are dreams about events that come to pass at some point in the future. Some people who have prophetic dreams say that the dreams come all on their own and they can never tell when the dream is going to come, while some people say that they will do prayers and fasting to have these dreams, which they call visions. Some people who have prophetic dreams can tell right away if it is a dream that will come to pass because of the way that their bodies feel while they're asleep. They say that it feels like the dream is really happening and when they wake up, they're surprised that it was only a dream. If you have had a history of prophetic dreams, a nightmare might be warning you about what's going to happen in the future. If you have not, chances are, you're either stressed or your dream is trying to give you messages, but what could the dreams be telling you?
Dreaming about Getting Pregnant Unwillingly
What does it mean when you dream of getting pregnant and you don't want to be? It could mean a couple of different things, one of which is that you're having anxiety about the future and you are worried that you won’t be able to handle things. The dream may also be putting you on notice that a big change in your life is about to come that you can't control, and it will affect your future permanently. It doesn't necessarily mean that you're about to become a parent though. Dreams about a secret pregnancy mean you are afraid of your private business being exposed. To read how the zodiac signs keep their secrets, see here: How Do the Signs Keep Secrets? (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream About Tornado Damage
When you have a dream about tornadoes, or specifically the damage that comes after a tornado, your dream is warning you that a major catastrophe is about to happen and that you should hang in there until after things are over. This type of catastrophe is something that you cannot prevent. You can only pick up the pieces afterwards. Speaking of living through a disaster, lousy relationships with an ex might pop up in dreams and you can read about those dreams here: Why Do I Dream About My Ex? (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream about Getting Shot
The spiritual meaning of violent dreams where you are attacked and injured means the same thing whether you're being shot, stabbed, or even beaten. These dreams are about a dangerous tragedy befalling you and leaving you feeling like an innocent victim. If you are an abuse survivor, it is not unusual to have such dreams, because you're afraid of going through abuse and attacks again. They can also be a sign that you are feeling vulnerable and that a malevolent force has the ability to destroy you in a matter of seconds. One sign that has no problem defending itself is Scorpio and you can read about them here: The Best Love Matches for Scorpio (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream about Escaping a Flood
Dreaming of a flood is always terrifying, but when you dream that you escape a flood, it's a good sign. Your dream is telling you that you will be able to survive difficulties and thrive despite them. The dream is calling you to keep your wits about you when bad things happen and think outside of the box for solutions when tragedy strikes. One sign that seems to always figure out the best solutions is Gemini and you can read about them here: Gemini Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream of Flooded Streets
Pay close attention to the details of the dream of flooded streets to see exactly what it's trying to tell you. If you are walking alone through flooded streets and it feels like you will never get to dry ground, that's a sure sign that your emotions are overwhelming you. If you have a dream about flooded streets and the dream just shows you the damage that the flood has caused, it's warning you about destruction that will come into your life. One sign with a powerful connection with their emotions is Pisces and you can read about them here: Pisces Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility (spiritualblossom.com)
The Spiritual Meaning of a Train in a Dream
Trains can mean different things in dreams. Getting on a train and going somewhere can mean leaving a negative situation behind and going forward into opportunity. When you dream about a train derailment, however, that means that you feel that your plans for the future have been squashed and that things are now hopeless. If you dream about being stuck on train tracks and a train is moving quickly towards you, that means you feel very threatened by a situation that's coming your way in the future and that you feel there's no way of escaping it. One sign that's very good at coming up with solutions during difficult times is Libra and you can read about them here: Libra Traits and Love Compatibility (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of Dreaming of Swimming in the Ocean
Dreams about swimming in the ocean are all about feeling overwhelmed about something. If there are sharks in the ocean while you were swimming in your dream, it's a sign of hidden dangers in your life that you should watch out for. If you dream about swimming in the ocean after a shipwreck, that's a sign that you're going to be left on your own to handle something very difficult. A dream about swimming in the ocean can also be an indication that you feel you have been pulled out of your comfort zone and you're being forced to function in an environment that you don't feel you belong in. To read about the goddesses and gods of the sea, click this link: The Folklore, Myths, and Gods of the Sea (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Knocking in Your Dream
“ A knocking in my dream woke me up!” A knocking in your dream is a call from the powers that be to pay attention to something that you haven't noticed yet. Sometimes you are awakened by a guardian spirit because there is some danger like a burglary about to happen at your front door, or maybe you forgot to switch off the oven before you went to sleep. So, say a prayer to the powers that be asking them to help you find out what you're missing so that you're fully aware of what's going on. One creature that may be considered a hidden danger is the spider and you can read about dreams of spiders here: Dreams About Spiders- Meaning and Symbolism (spiritualblossom.com)
The Biblical Meaning of Dreaming of Big Waves Coming at You
The biblical meaning of big waves in dreams depends on which scripture you consult. Moses parted the waves of the Red, or Reed Sea to allow the Israelites to escape the Egyptians, and this symbolizes the protection of the divine. In the book of Mark, Jesus calmed the waves and encouraged people to have faith in him, so this symbolizes faith in your god to deliver you from anything bad that happens. John the Baptist baptized people in water, as did other prophets, and water represents spiritual cleansing, renewal, and salvation. In the Bible big waves can be seen as a threat, but faith will deliver you, and big waves are a reminder of that. One thing you can have faith in his spiritual love and you can read about that here: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Love? (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream about Escaping a Sinking Car
Dreams about sinking cars could be about fear of death, or being overwhelmed by a situation that has the power to destroy you. When you dream about escaping from a sinking car it means that you have enough of your own power to rise above whatever difficult situation is bogging you down. The dream is telling you that you have a future to look forward to and whatever is going on will not destroy you, so you have nothing to fear. That's great news. One misunderstood creature that we need not fear is the snake and you can read about dreams of snakes here: Dreaming of Snakes- Meaning and Symbolism (spiritualblossom.com)
The Spiritual Meaning of a Parked Car in a Dream
Dreams about a mysterious parked car might seem scary, but they're not always bad news. If you dream about being lost at night and suddenly seeing a parked car, it means that you will have help in a difficult situation and that things will be ok. If you dream about walking alone after dark and a parked car shines its high beams on you, it symbolizes fear of the unknown. Dreams about a parked car can symbolize a way out of a situation, however, and your dream is urging you to find solutions to fly or “drive” away from difficulties in your life. To read about flying in dreams, see here: Soaring to new heights: Unveiling the Spiritual Significance of Flying in Dreams (spiritualblossom.com)
The Meaning of a Dream of Taking Shelter from a Storm
When you dream of taking shelter from a storm, it's a sign that you need to accept help, take a break, or give yourself some rest. It might also mean that you're not being kind to yourself, and you are called to love yourself more. Storms and difficulties in life will happen, but thankfully there are safe havens, sometimes under the wings of people who love us, where we can take refuge. To read about dreams of black feathers in the spirit realm, see here: "Mystical Wings: Exploring the Symbolic Interpretation of Black Feathers in the Spiritual Realm" (spiritualblossom.com)
When you dream about frightening things, it can be a sign that you're going through stress, you’re sick, or that you're worried about the future. It can also mean that your psychic self is warning you of disasters that are to come. Dreams about floods, big waves being, trapped in a sinking car, a parked car, or even sheltering from a storm are all things that can have deeper spiritual messages so pay close attention to your dreams, even if they're scary.
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About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Spiritual Blossom. She has written for Mysticsense and PaganPagesOrg emag.
