The Dream Dictionary from A to Z [Revised edition]. Theresa Cheung

who has been led astray, or is leading other people astray. Bear in mind, too, that the dream may refer to someone in your life who is an angel because of the loving and nurturing qualities of character that they embody. One may also play the role of a fairy godmother or godfather by helping someone.

      See also ANGEL.

       Artist

       (DREAM IMAGES: ARTISAN, CRAFTSPERSON, SCULPTOR, WEAVER, ETC.)

      In dreams, the artist archetype suggests the need for self-expression. The shadow artist indicates an eccentric nature and the madness that often accompanies genius. In evaluating your relationship to this archetype, recognize that the need to inspire others in some way – for example through teaching, writing, listening, and encouraging – is as much an expression of the artist archetype as actually holding a brush in your hand.

       Athlete

       (DREAM IMAGES: FITNESS INSTRUCTOR, OLYMPIAN, SPORTSPERSON, ETC.)

      This archetype represents the ultimate expression of the strength of the human spirit as represented in the power and magnificence of the human body. Athlete dreams should not be interpreted in terms of whether your body is perfect in form and function, but whether you have the willpower and strength of spirit to achieve your goals. The shadow aspect of athletes may manifest in dreams about cheating, suggesting a lack of honor in yourself or someone you know.

       Avenger

       (DREAM IMAGES: AVENGING ANGEL, MESSIAH, SAVIOR)

      This archetype suggests a need to balance the scale of justice in your waking life. Dreams about bringing war criminals to trial, or legally pursuing corporations that harm society, or saving the world from impending disaster are examples of the avenger archetype in action. The shadow side of the avenger manifests in dreams with acts of violence and a burning desire to get even at all costs as their themes.

       Beggar

       (DREAM IMAGES: HOMELESS PERSON, INDIGENT, ETC.)

      Homeless and penniless, the beggar is associated with dependence on the kindness of others, living on the streets, starvation, and disease. It is easy to believe that when this archetype appears in your dreams, the interpretation should be a negative one, but this isn’t always the case. People don’t just beg for money; they can also beg for attention, love, authority, success, and material objects. Learning about the nature of generosity, compassion, and humility, and understanding what it is you really need, are fundamental to interpreting this dream image.

       Bully

       (DREAM IMAGES: COWARD, DEMANDING BOSS/TEACHER, GANG OF INTIMIDATING THUGS, SCHOOL BULLY, ETC.)

      The archetype of the bully manifests the core truth that the spirit is always stronger than the body, and your relationship to this archetype should be evaluated within a framework far more expansive than evaluating whether you bully people or are being bullied. Consider whether in waking life you are giving up on things and people too easily. Conventional wisdom holds that underneath a bully is a coward trying to keep others from discovering their true identity. If the theme of cowardice or intimidation by a boss, teacher, or gang of thugs appears in your dreams, perhaps your unconscious is urging you to stand up to being bullied by your own inner fears.

       Child

       (DREAM IMAGES: CHILD OF NATURE, DIVINE BEING, MAGICAL/INNOCENT, ORPHAN, BEING WOUNDED)

      The child of nature archetype inspires deep, intimate bonding with natural forces. Although the nature child is loving and giving, it can also have an inner toughness and ability to survive – the resilience of Nature herself. Nature children can develop advanced skills of communicating with animals, and in dreams reflecting this archetype, an animal often comes to the rescue of its child companion. Such dreams can reflect a compassionate, nature-loving aspect of our character, or the need to stop abusing the environment (understood in its widest sense) and reconnect with nature.

      The magical child embodies qualities of wisdom and courage in the face of difficult circumstances. In dreams, it suggests the power of imagination and the belief that everything is possible. If, however, the magic is not put to positive use, the dream image is a negative one, and indicates lack of energy and action in waking life.

      The orphan child is the major character in most well-known children’s stories, including Bambi, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, The Little Mermaid, Little Orphan Annie, The Matchstick Girl, Snow White, and many more. The pattern in these stories is often reflected in the dreams of people who feel from birth as if they are not a part of their family or community, or who fear surviving alone in this world.

      The wounded child archetype in dreams holds the memories of the abuse, neglect and other traumas that may have been endured during childhood. From a spiritual perspective, a wounded childhood cracks open the learning path of forgiveness. The shadow aspect may manifest as an abiding sense of self-pity, a tendency to blame your parents for your current shortcomings and to resist moving on through forgiveness.

      While dreams about children that never grow old reveal a determination to remain eternally young in body, mind, and spirit, they can also suggest an inability to grow up and embrace the responsible life of an adult. Peter Pan is the most obvious example of this archetype – he resists ending a cycle of life in which he is free to live outside the boundaries of conventional adulthood. For women, this archetype may manifest as extreme dependency on those who take charge of their physical security. A consistent inability to be relied on and the inability to accept the aging process are also markers of this archetype.

      Carl Jung claimed that the dream symbol of a child is a metaphor for the forgotten things in childhood. For example, your dream may be telling you that you have forgotten how to play, or that you should take a more innocent, carefree attitude. The symbol of the child also represents possibilities and paves the way for future changes in the personality. In addition, it can also represent the part of you that needs security and reassurance.

      See also BIRTH, CHILDHOOD.

       Clown

       (DREAM IMAGES: COURT JESTER, FOOL, TRICKSTER)

      If a clown appears in your dreams, ask yourself if you need to bring humor into a situation or carry truth into closed circles or closed minds. Did a clown or trickster try to undermine you in your dream? Did someone you know play a trick on you? Playing pranks is associated with the clown or trickster, who delights in challenging the status quo and rebelling. Although confusing, this attention-seeker is worthy of your attention, as it represents the part of yourself that wants to challenge you out of your complacency. If you listen to the message, the clown can transform your waking life into a more carefree, spontaneous, and happy one.

       Damsel

       (DREAM IMAGES: PRINCESS, YOUNG GIRL, ETC.)

      The damsel in distress may be the oldest female archetype in all of popular literature and the movies. She is beautiful, vulnerable, and in need of rescuing. If this image appears in your dreams, it may suggest your intense desire to be rescued or protected by a loved one; it may also suggest the need to go it alone. When disappointed, a damsel must go through a process of empowerment and learn to take care of herself in the world.

       Destroyer

       (DREAM IMAGES: ATTILA, MAD SCIENTIST, SERIAL KILLER, SPOILER)

      The impulse to destroy and rebuild is archetypal. We are bound to that cycle so that new life can begin. Dreams which have destruction as a theme, or where you or someone else are destroying things or people, often refer to releasing emotions or behavior that are destroying us. It can also represent an aspect of yourself that destroys relationships or promotes attitudes and opinions