No matter how elegantly we design them, we can't disguise the fact that bathrooms are reserved for both the external and internal cleansing of the body. What needs to be purged in waking life?
Sigmund Freud had a field day with this one. He associated these dreams with the anal phase of child development and related them to sexual desire or satifaction. According to Freud's theory of the stages of development, children experience erogenous satisfaction from the act of excretion. Freud also associated the act of defecation in dreams as symbolizing creativity.
Bathing, showering or relieving yourself symbolize inner cleansing. Tubs, showers and toilets are means of washing away the dirt of life so that you can feel refreshed and renewed. Water in dreams symbolizes emotional, psychological and spiritual issues. You go into the bathroom to brush your teeth, shower, wash your hair, clean out your bladder and bowels and sometimes to vomit. You are getting rid of dirt, pain, waste and the past.
As a dream symbol, bathing or using the bathroom to empty physical organs is a bit easier to interpret than some other symbols. You are carrying around emotions, attitudes or behaviors that are no longer useful and need to be purged. Perhaps you are hanging on to guilt about past mistakes and can't move on until you forgive yourself, or maybe you need to "come clean" about something.
Running out of water, soap or something else you need might mean an inability or unwillingness to let go. Dreams of luxuriating in a bubble bath, perhaps with candles or a romantic interest, may symbolize a need or desire for more romance or time to yourself.
The part of the body that you are washing can help provide clues for interpreting your dream. For instance, washing your hair may symbolize purifying your thoughts or spiritual self. Cleaning private areas may imply guilt about sexual desires or needs. Are you using the bathroom at home or somewhere else? For example, showering in a public bathroom indicates a fear of being exposed. Look up these related symbols as well to develop your insight.
Dreaming of an overflowing or clogged toilet can symbolize a buildup of negativity in waking life. An overflowing bathtub or flooded bathroom can indicate a buildup of emotion. Is the water clean or dirty? Flushing a toilet or watching water drain represents that the negative is draining away. If something valuable is being flushed away, you fear losing what that symbol represents. Something foul coming up through a drain represents fear or a threat, or that you've seen one too many low-budget horror films.
These dreams sometimes can be an early warning. Are you concerned about over-indulging in unhealthy food or substances? You may need to clean up your act or your diet. Dreaming of using the toilet can sometimes be the unconscious' way of boosting your body's physical reflex to wake you up to the fact that you'd better get up and use the toilet before it's too late!
Parthena Black is a professional social worker and ordained minister with experience in tarot and runes. For private spiritual counseling and intuitive readings via e-mail, please visit her at oymygoddess.com.
Analyze your dreams and enhance your life with this set of cards and comprehensive book
Sleeping Pills For Your Mind
Analyze your dreams and enhance your life with this set of cards and comprehensive book
