I was visiting my grandparents place after finding out my grandma hosts her own restaurant at the house. Its bizarre yet welcomed that my grandfather is there, as he had passed away some years ago. I sit down and order as he watches tv in the living room, each order takes 45 minutes to prepare for anybody ordering. I snack, nap, then wake up with a start. I notice that it is night-time. It feels familiar and a sense of dread comes over me. I quickly lock the screen door before deadbolting the main door, doing the same with the back door. Evil is outside those doors, and they come out when the sun goes down. The familiar prowling wolves, haunting little children with black eyes, and the silhouettes of people standing in the distance, all stare at me through what bit of glass that shows into the house. That's why I shut the blinds and stick close to the floors, my heart pounding, and feeling the rush of blood leave my head to help support the hearts panicked state. I tell everyone to never open the doors at night, my voice firm and a tone of terror filling every words. I have to lock the doors every night, including the windows. Every possible entry into the home must be secured or else danger will creep in. I often remember to lock the doors last minute, frequently forgetting until I notice it getting dark. I struggle to lock the doors as I hear the sounds of a feminine woman coming from the woods. I've seen her before, and she likes to come to the back door. I stare at her through the screen door, my heart feeling like it dropped into my stomach, before closing the main door and deadbolting it as well. The only time I unlock the doors are to let the cat in urgently: however, DONT. LET. THEM. IN.
This dream is rich with symbolism and reflects various aspects of your subconscious. Let’s break it down into its key components:
Visiting Grandparents: The setting of your grandparents' house suggests a longing for comfort and safety, possibly rooted in childhood. Grandparents often symbolize wisdom and nurturing, and their home represents a place of security. However, the twist of your grandmother running a restaurant there signifies transformation; perhaps it's a reflection of how you perceive familial roles changing over time.
Presence of the Deceased Grandfather: The appearance of your grandfather, who has passed away, may indicate unresolved feelings about his absence or a desire for guidance. His presence can also symbolize continuity and the ongoing influence of those who have left our lives, acting as a reminder of your family's legacy and support, even when they're physically gone.
The Restaurant: The restaurant in your dream might symbolize nourishment—not just in a physical sense, but emotionally and spiritually. It could reflect your need to feed your own desires or creativity. On another level, it might signify the obligations or pressures that come with family expectations or roles that you feel you must fulfill.
Transition to Night: As the day turns into night, this often represents the unknown, fear, or anxiety in dreams. Nighttime is a common symbol for danger or emotional turmoil, suggesting you may feel overwhelmed by something in your waking life that is slowly creeping into your consciousness—hence the sense of dread you experience.
Locking the Doors: This part of your dream speaks to feelings of vulnerability and the need for protection. Locking the doors indicates your desire to create boundaries and protect your inner self from external threats, real or imagined. It suggests a fear of being exposed to things that may harm you, illustrating a sense of paranoia or anxiety about the world outside your immediate control.
Evil Entities: Imaginary threats such as prowling wolves, black-eyed children, and distant silhouettes represent your fears, perhaps rooted in childhood fears or experiences that have transformed over time. The blood-curdling fear these figures evoke reveals deeper anxieties or unresolved issues you may be facing—emotional or psychological challenges that seem to loom larger in the dark.
The Feminine Voice: The woman you perceive in the woods is particularly significant. She may symbolize an alluring yet dangerous force, embodying a fear of temptation or a reminder of past experiences that beckon you to confront them, despite knowing they may bring pain or turmoil.
Struggle with Keys: Your difficulty in locking the doors signifies an inner struggle with maintaining control over your life and environment. It reflects the challenges of managing anxiety, especially regarding personal safety and emotional security.
Urgency of Letting the Cat In: The cat may symbolize instincts, independence, or aspects of yourself that you feel compelled to protect or allow in. However, the warning against letting "them" in conveys an urgent message: to be cautious about the influences or situations you allow into your space, particularly those that may seem harmless but could carry underlying risks.
Overall, this dream conveys mixed emotions—from a desire for the security and comfort of family to a fear of the unknown and potentially dangerous aspects lurking beneath the surface. It encourages you to acknowledge your fears, set boundaries, and seek healthier ways to confront and process what may be haunting you. Reflecting on these themes in your waking life could lead to deeper insights and resolutions.