(3rd person)The dream starts as if I was watching a movie. it kinda shows where I am first and then shows me. There is a big kind of “castle” wall surrounding a pine tree forest in an oval shape. in the bottom right corner of the forest there is a big circular lake that doesn't quite touch the wall. outside the wall is a blue kind of sea but in my dream i know it is not made out of water. so, the dream zooms into the top left corner of the oval, where I am. I'm completely surrounded by pine trees. The ground is as a normal forest floor would be, except for the fact that you can't see any dirt, only grey leaves and twigs and it feels like underneath it there is cement. It is night time and everything looks kind of grey and blue, as if there was moonlight illuminating the dream. I hear howling and barking all around me and immediately start to run. While I am running, I am looking straight ahead and my eyes and mouth are wide open and I am screaming “consistenly”, without gasping for air even once. I only stop running and screaming when I see a big rock, up to my waist and around a meter and a half wide. I stop about two meters away from the rock and I can feel someone hugging me. I can't really see them, I can only feel the hug. I close my eyes (switch to first person) for like a whole two minutes and when I open them back up again there is a boy with red hair, pale skin covered in freckles, wearing a dark green polo shirt, dark green shorts and white shoes in front of me. I immediately know it is Rafael, the boy of the moon, my childhood imaginary friend. He tells me I'm okay and that we need to find the lake before the whole forest floods and the deers die (I don't know why, but he was oddly specific about the deer as if there weren't any more animals in the forest). I look down and realize I have water up to my ankles. The leaves and twigs on the floor are still on the floor, not floating, as if they were printed on to it. (switch to third person) now Rafael and i are walking around the forest trying to find the lake. Dream me knows where the lake is, I saw it before the dream started, but I can't seem to remember it in the dream. We look around until the water is up to our necks, but we aren't swimming, we are still walking. I look at him and I know it is “over”. We failed. We couldn't find the lake and now the deer will die. And it's our fault. I don't really speak but I can hear what I am saying. I give Rafael a hug and sink my head underwater, carrying him with me. That is when the dream ends and I wake up.
Dreams like the one you've described can be rich in symbolism and emotional resonance. Here are some interpretations of the elements in your dream:
Castle Wall and Forest: The castle wall may symbolize protection or a barrier in your life, perhaps representing boundaries you've created or feel around yourself. The surrounding pine tree forest could symbolize your inner world—deep, mysterious, and perhaps a bit isolated. It may suggest that you are in a phase of contemplation or introspection.
Nighttime and Color Scheme: The dream takes place at night, with a color palette of greys and blues under moonlight. This often reflects feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, or sadness. Light can symbolize awareness or clarity, whereas darkness may reflect fears or the unknown.
Howling and Barking: Sounds of howling and barking could signify chaos or inner turmoil. These noises might represent external pressures or fears in your waking life that feel overwhelming, prompting you to run away.
Running and Screaming: The act of running and screaming indicates a strong reaction to fear or distress, suggesting you may be feeling overwhelmed by certain emotions or situations in your life. The continuous screaming without gasping for air may symbolize desperation or a feeling of being unheard.
Rafael, the Imaginary Friend: The appearance of Rafael, your childhood imaginary friend, suggests a longing for comfort and reassurance. Imaginary friends often represent parts of our childhood or aspects of ourselves that we seek for support during times of stress. His presence might indicate that you yearn for innocence or a simpler time, and that you might be looking for guidance during a difficult phase.
The Quest for the Lake: The lake represents an ideal or goal, perhaps symbolizing emotional clarity or a place of refuge. The journey to find it may reflect your search for peace or a solution to your problems. The urgency of wanting to find the lake before flooding could indicate a fear of being overwhelmed by your emotions or circumstances.
Deers and Flooding: The mention of the deer and their demise could symbolize vulnerability and the consequences of neglecting your emotions or responsibilities. The rising water may reflect a sense of being swallowed by your feelings or situations, suggesting that you feel unable to manage what is happening around you.
The Ending: Finally, the act of sinking underwater with Rafael can symbolize surrender or acceptance of a situation. It may also reflect a fear of failure or a feeling of defeat regarding your search for peace or stability.
Overall, your dream seems to express a complex interplay of emotions, fears, and a longing for safety and connection. It may be helpful to reflect on your current life circumstances and any feelings of anxiety or pressure you may be experiencing. Understanding these elements can guide you in addressing your inner feelings and seeking the support you need.