Climbing up a mountainside, with 3 adventurers. It was a long and arduous journey. We stayed one night in a cabin midway up the mountain. The following morning, as we began to climb again... I turned around, I had forgotten my coat. I went back to get it, but did not catch up with the others. As I rounded a bend on the way up the mountain, I looked up to catch a glimpse of fire and flame sparking and flaring at the very peak.
As I climbed further, to my left I saw deer running through the woods. As I watched, they began to change from deer to wolves, and the wolves at the back began hunting the very deer they had run with before. I reached the summit, to find the path guarded by a large white wolf. I felt fear begin to rise within me, and recognized the challenge I was facing. I looked beyond the wolf, to see more wolves behind him, knowing that the answers I was seeking lay ahead.
In order to pass, I had to face my own fear. I reached my hand out to the wolf, and woke up.
To dream of climbing up a hill or mountain and reaching the top, you will overcome the most formidable obstacles between you and a prosperous future; but if you should fail to reach the top, your dearest plans will suffer being wrecked.
To climb a ladder to the last rung, you will succeed in business; but if the ladder breaks, you will be plunged into unexpected straits, and accidents may happen to you.
To see yourself climbing the side of a house in some mysterious way in a dream, and to have a window suddenly open to let you in, foretells that you will make or have made extraordinary ventures against the approbation of friends, but success will eventually crown your efforts, though there will be times when despair will almost enshroud you.
Going upward, or ascending, is always a positive dream symbol. Whether you are struggling on a difficult rope or ladder or walking up an easy slope, this dream suggests that you are moving in the right direction. If the climb in your dream is extremely difficult, it may be pointing to some obstacles that you need to overcome before reaching your goals. Consider all of the details in your dream, and if you recently completed a difficult task, achieved a goal (e.g. graduating), this dream may be reflective in nature.
To see a deer in your dream, symbolizes grace, compassion, gentleness, meekness and natural beauty. It has feminine qualities and may point to the feminine aspect within yourself. It also represents independence, alertness, and virility. Consider the symbol to be a pun for someone who is "dear" to you. Alternatively, the dream represents vulnerability and naivete. As a result, others may take advantage of you and your gullibility.
If the deer is black, then it means that you are not acknowledging or are rejecting the feminine qualities in you. You may not be in tune with your feminine side.
To dream that you kill a dear, suggests that you are trying to suppress those feminine qualities.
This is a favorable dream, denoting pure and deep friendships for the young and a quiet and even life for the married.
To kill a deer, denotes that you will be hounded by enemies. For farmers, or business people, to dream of hunting deer, denotes failure in their respective pursuits.
Seeing a deer in your dream, symbolizes grace, gentleness, and natural beauty. It has feminine qualities and may point to the feminine aspect within yourself. It also represents independence and virility. Consider the symbol to be a pun for someone who is "dear" to you. If the deer is black, then it means that you are not acknowledging or are rejected the feminine qualities in you. You may not be in tune with your feminine side. Dreaming that you kill a dear, suggests that you are trying to suppress those feminine qualities.
A deer in a dream can symbolize your vulnerable side. If you dream that you have killed a deer, the dream could be a warning you that you might be hurting someone unnecessarily. Chasing a deer in a dream can symbolize overcoming a fear.
A stag is a symbol of male sexual energy and strength. A stag can also represent a man that you admire.
Dreaming of a herd of deer can indicate that you are thinking about where you stand in relation to others.
Deer Symbolism
When we encounter the deer in the wild, our breath catches - we are transfixed by their graceful features and delicate movements. The tender beauty of these beasts has not gone unnoticed by our ancestors.
The deer is linked to the arts, specifically poetry and music in ancient Celtic animal lore due to its graceful form. The Celts also believed that deer were associated with the fairie realm, and would lead troops of fairies - hundreds of them trailing behind them as the stag cut a path through the forest.
Both Celts and Native Americans observed the deer to be savvy when it came to finding the best herbs. These earth-bound peoples would follow the deer to prime herb patches - many of which proved to be highly beneficial in their medicinal purposes.
A quick-list of animal symbolism of the deer include:
Love
Grace
Peace
Beauty
Fertility
Humility
Swiftness
Regrowth
Creativity
Spirituality
Abundance
Benevolence
Watchfulness
How does this translate into our own life experience?
Just as the deer has an uncanny sense of where to find the green freshness earth provides, we can ask the deer within ourselves to seek out our inner treasures. In meditation or day dream, go on a spiritual hike with the deer. See yourself walking in the woods with the deer leading you into amazing depths within your soul. Each step you and the deer take will lead you deeper into your spiritual knowing, and to limitless treasure within.
The deer (particularly the doe, females) has the capacity for infinite generosity. Their heart rhythms pulse in soft waves of kindness. Match that graciousness by offering your trust to her. She will reward you by leading you to the most powerful spiritual medicine you can fathom.
In China the deer is a symbol of happiness and good fortune. Indeed, its name in Chinese is a homonym for the word abundance.
The deer is associated with:
The Dawn
The Moon
The Easterly directions
Those wishing to invoke the symbolic meaning of the deer may have most success and profound experiences while incorporating these associations.
For example, we can honor the deer during a full moon to enhance or draw out some of the deer's qualities (listed above) within ourselves.
Likewise, honoring the deer with our attention pointed in an eastern direction at dawn will elicit responsive energy too. Nothing fancy (the deer really has no use for pomp and circumsance - her pleasure comes from quiet simplicities) just a solemn nod of your head and a simple "thank you" for deer's presence will do.
Gentleness is the key word here. The deer represents kindness and compassion.
Power of gentleness, love, alertness, camouflage, balance and alertness, attention to subtler outside influences, ability to listen, attention, shows how to walk gracefully and carefully, connections to children and people for best interests of all, vision, hearing, smell, helps discern what actions to be done. Teaches empathy for others, soft direction and leadership abilities. Are you awakening to your own innocence? Are you listening to your inner child? Deer walks softly and gracefully. Are you ready for new opportunities that will reflect this gentle love to others?
Wolves may have positive or negative meaning and may represent good or evil in dreams. They could represent hostility, aggression, sneakiness, and ferocious appetites. In some cultures, wolves represent feminine energies and in others masculine. In the Native American culture and tradition, the wolf is a symbol of a mysterious and wonderful teacher. Wolves are considered to be powerful guides who offer wisdom and enlightenment. When interpreting your dream consider your feelings in it and the mood upon awakening. If you were mesmerised and not afraid, then give your dream positive meaning and accept its message.
Symbolic of valour among the Romans and the Egyptians. It also
appears as a guardian in a great many monuments (8). In Nordic mythology we
are told of a monstrous wolf, Fenris, that would destroy iron chains and shackles
and was eventually shut up in the bowels of the earth. It was also said that, with
the twilight of the gods—the end of the world—the monster would break out of
this prison too, and would devour the sun. Here, then, the wolf appears as a
symbol of the principle of evil, within a pattern of ideas which is unquestionably
related to the Gnostic cosmogony. Nordic mythology presupposes that cosmic
order is possible only through the temporary shackling of the chaotic and destructive potential of the universe—a potential which (through the process of
Symbolic Inversion—q.v.) must triumph in the end. The myth is also connected
with all other concepts of the final annihilation of the world, whether by water or
by fire.
To dream of a wolf, shows that you have a thieving person in your employ, who will also betray secrets.
To kill one, denotes that you will defeat sly enemies who seek to overshadow you with disgrace. To hear the howl of a wolf, discovers to you a secret alliance to defeat you in honest competition.
To see a wolf in your dream, symbolizes survival, beauty, solitude, mystery, self-confidence and pride. You are able to keep your composure in a variety of social circumstances and blend into any situation with ease and grace. You are also a loner by choice. Negatively, the wolf represents hostility, aggression, or sneakiness. It may reflect an uncontrollable situation or an all-consuming force in your life. This could point to an obsession, an addiction or something that is beyond your control.
To see a white wolf in your dream, signifies valor and victory. You have the ability to see the light even in your darkest hours.
To dream that you kill a wolf, indicates betrayal. Certain secrets will be revealed to you.
To hear a wolf howling in your dream, represents a cry for help from somebody in your waking life.
Seeing a wolf in your dream, symbolizes beauty, solitude, mystery, self-confidence and pride. You are able to keep your composure in a variety of social situations and can blend in with any situation with ease and grace. You are a loner by choice. Negatively, it represents hostility and aggression. It may also reflect an uncontrollable force or situation in your life. In particular, if the wolf is white, then it means valor and victory. You have the ability to see the light even in your darkest hours. Dreaming that you kill a wolf indicates betrayal and secrets revealed.
Wolf Meaning and Totem Symbolism of the Wolf
To understand totem wolf symbols, one must first understand the heart of the Wolf. This takes time because the Wolf has had to endure many false stereotypes, misconceptions and misunderstandings.
Not at all the picture of ferocity or terror, the Wolf is a creature with a high sense of loyalty and strength. Another misconception is that of the “lone wolf.” To the contrary, the Wolf is actually a social creature, friendly, and gregarious with its counterparts.
The Wolf is an incredible communicator. By using touch, body movements, eye contact as well as many complex vocal expressions – the wolf makes his point understood. Those with totem wolf symbols are of the same inclination – they are expressive both vocally and physically. Those who have the wolf as their totem animal are naturally eloquent in speech, and also have knack for creative writing.
A quick-list of totem wolf symbolic attributes include:
Intelligence
Cunning
Communication
Friendliness
Loyalty
Generosity
Compassionate
Totem wolf symbols belong to those who truly understand the depth of passion that belong to this noble creature. The Wolf is a representative of deep faith, and profound understanding.
Further, the Wolf possess a high intellect, and have been observed using strategies about hunting, habitat and migration.
In history, the totem Wolf symbol appears with the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. Legend has it that the two founding brothers were raised and suckled by a she-wolf.
In Norse mythology, the Wolf is a symbol for victory when ridden by Odin and the Valkyries upon the battlefield.
As a Celtic symbol, the Wolf was a source of lunar power. Celtic lore states that the Wolf would hunt down the sun and devour it at each dusk so as to allow the power of the moon to come forth.
In Asia, the wolf guards the doors that allow entrance to heavenly, celestial realms. The Wolf is also said to be among the ancestry of Genghis Khan.
When this gracious creature appears to us, and serves as a totem in our lives, the Wolf beckons us to ask these questions:
Are you thinking about a different form of education?
Are you being a true friend, and are your friends being true to you?
Are you communicating yourself clearly to others?
Are you being loyal to yourself?
Are you incorporating strategies and planning to achieve your goals?
Are you spending enough quality time with yourself, friends and family?
The wolf represents your inner teacher. It will help you to find your life path.
Royalty, spirit, strength, friendly, family, sociable, intelligent, ritualistic in nature (applies to all of life), balances flexibility to establish harmony and order in life, new paths and journeys, freedom to move within the realms of insights and attachments. Teaches able to be steadfast, familial protection, Epitome of the wild spirit. Wolf guides the use of resources and the lesson of adaptability along with teaching and instruction. Wolf helps to tap into inner strength and intuition. Sometimes transformation accompanies Wolf's lessons. Are you using your resources wisely for the greater good? Are you nourishing your family and those around you? Are you listening to your instincts to avoid confrontations? Wolf will add in balancing harmony and wisdom to take control of your life.
The different meanings which have been attached to the symbolism of the mountain stem not so much from any inherent multiplicity as from the
various implications of each of its component elements: its height, verticality,
mass and shape. Deriving from the first idea (height) are interpretations such as
that of Teillard, who equates the mountain with inner ‘loftiness’ of spirit (56),
that is, transposing the notion of ascent to the realm of the spirit. In alchemy, on
the other hand, the reference is nearly always to the hollow mountain, the hollow
being a cavern which is the ‘philosophers’ oven’. The vertical axis of the mountain drawn from its peak down to its base links it with the world-axis, and,
anatomically, with the spinal column. Because of its grandiose proportions, the
mountain came to symbolize, for the Chinese, the greatness and generosity of the
Emperor; it is the fourth of the twelve imperial emblems (5). But the profoundest
symbolism is one that imparts a sacred character by uniting the concept of mass,
as an expression of being, with the idea of verticality. As in the case of the cross
or the Cosmic Tree, the location of this mountain is at the ‘Centre’ of the world.
This same profound significance is common to almost all traditions: suffice it to
recall mount Meru of the Hindus, the Haraberezaiti of the Iranians, Tabor of the
Israelites, Himingbjör of the Germanic peoples, to mention only a few. Furthermore, the temple-mountains such as Borobudur, the Mesopotamian ziggurats or
the pre-Columbian teocallis are all built after the pattern of this symbol. Seen
from above, the mountain grows gradually wider, and in this respect it corresponds to the inverted tree whose roots grow up towards heaven while its foliage
points downwards, thereby expressing multiplicity, the universe in expansion,
involution and materialization. This is why Eliade says that ‘the peak of the
cosmic mountain is not only the highest point on earth, it is also the earth’s navel,
the point where creation had its beginning’—the root (18). The mystic sense of
the peak also comes from the fact that it is the point of contact between heaven
and earth, or the centre through which the world-axis passes, binding the three
levels together. It is, incidentally, also the focal point of Inversion—the point of
intersection of the immense St. Andrew’s cross, which expresses the relationship
between the different worlds. Other sacred mountains are Sumeru of the UralAltaic peoples (17) and Caf in Moslem mythology—a huge mountain the base of which is formed by a single emerald called Sakhrat (8). Mount Meru is said to be
of gold and located at the North Pole (8), thus underlining the idea of the Centre
and, in particular, linking it with the Pole Star—the ‘hole’ through which all things
temporal and spatial must pass in order to divest themselves of their worldly
characteristics. This polar mountain is also to be found in other symbolic traditions, always bearing the same symbolism of the world-axis (25); its mythic
characteristics were, in all probability, based upon the fixed position of the Pole
Star. It is also called the ‘white mountain’, in which case it embraces both the
basic mountain-symbolism with all the implications outlined above and that of
the colour white (intelligence and purity). This was the predominating characteristic of Mount Olympus (49), the supreme, celestial mountain which Schneider
sees as corresponding to Jupiter and equivalent to the principle of the number
one. There is another mountain, relevant to the symbolism of the number two,
and that is the mountain of Mars and Janus—that is, as the Gemini; basically,
they represent two different aspects of the same mountain, but blending together
the symbolism of the ‘two worlds’ of Atma and Buddhi, or the two essential,
rhythmic aspects of manifest creation—light and darkness, life and death, immortality and mortality. This mountain has two peaks, in order to give visual expression to its dual or ambivalent meaning. It occurs constantly in traditional, megalithic culture, particularly in the form of a landscape, illustrating yet again the
Protean myth of the Gemini, which bursts out in so many different forms in
primitive thought and art. This mountain is also a form of mandorla consisting of
the intersection of the circle of the heavens with that of the earth, and this
mandorla is, as it were, the crucible of life, containing the opposite poles of life
(good and bad, love and hate, fidelity and treachery, affirmation and negation, the
numbers 2 and 11—both equal to one plus one—and finally construction and
destruction). Incidentally, the animals which correspond to this all-embracing
significance of the mandorla are the whale and the shark (51). In Hindu legend, the
castle of Indra was built on this mountain; whereas in Roman legend it was the
castle of Mars, and the home of the thunderbolt, the two-headed eagle and the
Gemini. It has been called the ‘mountain of stone’ and is at once the abode of the
living (the exterior of the mountain) and of the dead (the hollow interior) (50).
Krappe has borne this out with the observation that ‘The interior of a mountain
has frequently been taken as the location of the Land of the Dead: the derivation
of the Celtic and Irish fairy-hills, and of the legend, widespread in Asia and
Europe, of a demiurge or hero asleep inside a mountain, one day to emerge and
renew all things sublunar’ (35). This myth has obvious connexions with the myth
of Entanglement—of the castle inextricably entangled in a wood and also with the story of the ‘Sleeping Beauty’. All such myths are concerned with the mystery of
a disappearance between appearance and reappearance. Schneider lists the following trades and professions as being associated with Mars: those of the king,
physician, warrior and miner, as well as the martyr (51). In Western tradition, the
mountain-symbol appears in the legend of the Grail, as Montsalvat (the ‘mountain of salvation’ or ‘of health’)—just as much a ‘polar mountain’ as it is a ‘sacred
island’, according to Guénon; but always it is inaccessible or difficult to find (like
the ‘centre’ of the labyrinth) (28). In general, the mountain, the hill and the
mountain-top are all associated with the idea of meditation, spiritual elevation
and the communion of the blessed. In mediaeval emblems, the symbolism of the
‘mountain of salvation’ is further defined by a complementary figure surmounting it, such as the fleur-de-lis, the star, the lunar crescent, the cross, steps, the
crown, the circle, the triangle, or the number three. The letter Z sometimes occurs,
standing for Zion; similarly, an R is short for Regeneratio (4). Some of these
symbols have lent themselves to a poetic treatment that is well worth examination. From the moment when the mountain, so to speak, divests itself of its
terrestrial and material character and becomes the image of an idea, the more
numerous the component elements pertaining to this idea, the greater will be its
clarity and force. Hence, mount Meru of India is considered to have the shape of
a pure, seven-sided pyramid (corresponding to the seven planetary spheres, the
seven essential virtues and the seven Directions of space) and each face has one of
the colours of the rainbow. Seen as a whole, the mountain is a shining white, by
which token it may be equated with the ‘polar mountain’ and the all-embracing
image of totality (also symbolized by the pyramid-symbol), tending towards
Oneness (symbolized by the peak)—to avail ourselves of the concepts of Nicholas of Cusa.
For a young woman to dream of crossing a mountain in company with her cousin and dead brother, who was smiling, denotes she will have a distinctive change in her life for the better, but there are warnings against allurements and deceitfulness of friends. If she becomes exhausted and refuses to go further, she will be slightly disappointed in not gaining quite so exalted a position as was hoped for by her.
If you ascend a mountain in your dreams, and the way is pleasant and verdant, you will rise swiftly to wealth and prominence. If the mountain is rugged, and you fail to reach the top, you may expect reverses in your life, and should strive to overcome all weakness in your nature. To awaken when you are at a dangerous point in ascending, denotes that you will find affairs taking a flattering turn when they appear gloomy.
Seeing mountains in your dream means many major obstacles and challenges that you have to overcome. If you are on top of the mountain, then it means that you have achieved and realized your goals. Alternatively, mountains indicates a higher realm of consciousness, knowledge, and spiritual truth. Dreaming that you are climbing a mountain means your determination and ambition. Dreaming that you fall off a mountain, suggests that you are in a hurry to succeed without thoroughly thinking about your path to success. It also means that you have a tendency to give up or escape from demanding situations.
Climbing a real mountain is not always fun but it usually challenging and rewarding. Some say that the mountain may represent spirituality while others suggest mental development and self-awareness. The most literal interpretation of climbing a mountain is that it represents attainment of goals. If you are ascending a mountain you may be are working hard and trying to accomplish your goals, whether they are spiritual, emotional, or material.
To catch something in your dream, suggests that you need to incorporate something into your life. Consider the object you are trying to catch and look up its meaning. If you are trying to catch a ball, then it indicates that you want to feel whole or you need to be more well-rounded. If you catch a fish, then it suggests that you need to be more spiritual.
To dream that you are playing catch, signifies your carefree attitude. You are enjoying life. Consider who you are playing catch with. If you are playing catch with mother or father, then it represents your bond and closeness to them.
The dream may also be a metaphor to indicate something that is "catchy" or contagious.
To dream that you feel fear, indicates that your achievements will not be as successful as you had anticipated. You are experiencing anxieties in various aspects of your life. The key to overcoming your fear is to discuss them and deal with them openly.
To dream that you worse fears are coming true, signifies your resistance to change. You are afraid to confront the unknown aspects of yourself.
Dreaming that you feel fear means that you achievements will not be as successful as you had anticipated. You are having anxieties in certain circumstances of your life.
If you are experiencing great fear in your dreams, you are having nightmares. These types of dreams are positive because your unconscious mind is trying to tell you something. If you have repressed issues, they may be coming to the surface. Think about the fear in your dreams and try to be honest with yourself. Having fearful dreams seems to be relatively common. Most dreams are unpleasant and that is the nature of our private unconscious. Issues and concerns, repressed emotions, and daily stress all contribute to an uneasy sleep and to fear filled dreams.
To dream that you are at the peak of a mountain, symbolizes your successes and achievements. You will go far in your life. Alternatively, the dream may also be a pun on "peek". Perhaps you saw something that you should not have. Or perhaps you are curious about something.
Dreaming that you are at the peak of a mountain, symbolizes your success and achievements. You will go far in your life. The dream may also be a pun on "peek". Perhaps you saw something that you should not have or you are curious about something.
To dream about beginning something, indicates that valuable time has been wasted through procrastination. You need to get on with life and put your plans into motion.
Dreaming about beginning something indicates that valuable time has been wasted through procrastination. You need to get on with life and put your plans into motion.