I have just been diagnosed with autism in real life. I had a dream that there had been a storm and after the storm passed I looked out the window of my house and garter snakes had appeared everywhere all in the yard, they had dropped from the storm. There were snakes in my backyard and lions and tigers had come to eat them. I was scared of the lions and tigers but they weren’t trying to attack me. I tried to shut and lock my back door but the door was broken and I couldn’t close it. The lions and tigers came up to the back door. They weren’t attacking just sniffing at my hands but I was still scared of them. I was trying to hold the door shut with all my strength. I called my husband who came home and was fixing the the back door and gently playing with the lions and tigers through the door.
Dreams often act as symbolic mirrors of our inner world, reflecting our thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances. Let's break down the elements of your dream to discover what they might represent in the context of your recent diagnosis.
Storms in dreams frequently symbolize turmoil, change, or emotional upheaval. Your recent diagnosis may have felt overwhelming, much like a storm disrupting your inner peace. However, the fact that the storm has passed suggests that you're beginning to navigate through the initial shock or confusion and are moving towards a period of calm or resolution.
Snakes often represent transformation, healing, or the emergence of hidden aspects of oneself. The appearance of snakes after the storm may symbolize the new, perhaps unknown aspects of your identity that have come to the forefront following your autism diagnosis. Garter snakes, relatively harmless, could indicate that these revelations, while numerous and possibly overwhelming, aren’t necessarily threatening but rather a natural part of your life's landscape now.
The big cats could signify formidable forces or powerful emotions in your life. Their intention to eat the snakes may represent your worries or fears about how to integrate or “manage” these new aspects of your identity. The fact that these animals, often seen as symbols of strength and courage, are not attacking you suggests that though the process might be intimidating, it is not inherently harmful; these emotions or forces can be tamed or understood.
The broken door could symbolize a perceived vulnerability or lack of control in your life post-diagnosis. Doors often represent barriers between different areas of life or facets of the self. The struggle to close the door might reflect your efforts to maintain boundaries or regain a sense of security amidst these changes.
Your husband’s presence in the dream possibly signifies support, strength, and reassurance as you navigate this personal journey. His ability to manage the door and interact gently with the lions and tigers may indicate a level of comfort and acceptance that he possesses about your situation, possibly providing you with courage and comfort.
In essence, your dream reflects the after-effects of receiving your diagnosis – a mix of vulnerability, new self-awareness, and the reassuring support of loved ones. The symbols within communicate a journey of adjustment and acceptance, both emotionally and in understanding oneself better. This dream suggests embracing the changes and trusting in the supportive networks around you as you adapt to this new phase of life.