When I lived in Florida, I saw an eerie nighttime sight in some of the lakes there that did not have great amounts of human traffic. One could shine a flashlight out over the water and watch as bright red eyes appeared in the light. The eyes were all one could see--a stark reminder of the alligators lurking just below the surface.

Another common sight, this one at almost all lakes, was a sign that read: 'Caution: Hidden Danger'. Underneath the caption was a picture of an alligator who looked poised to snap at any given moment. That sign could as a signpost for dreamers as it pretty much summarizes the typical symbolism of alligators in dreams.

Dreams of alligators or crocodiles often represent both of these waking life sights. Alligators and crocodiles are creatures that are stealthy, animals that keep themselves well hidden until they are ready to strike. Thus, alligators and crocodiles in dreams can signify 'hidden danger'--a situation that you are aware of on an intuitive level but are not acknowledging in your conscious mind. This can be a simmering situation at work, a untrustworthy person, or sadly, anything that you can't really see coming but which strikes out of the blue and without mercy.

Alligators may also represent the Jungian archetype known as the 'Shadow'--that part of ourselves that lurks in the background serving as a holding box for all the we don't want to see in our selves. (We will look at the Shadow and explore its archetypal symbolism next week.)

When dreaming of any animal, it is important to keep in mind that the animal is representing not only the symbolism of that animal, but also your own feelings and emotions. Our feelings take on animal form in dreams because this allows us to keep the emotions at arms length. We can look at the animal and explore the concepts behind it with out being overwhelmed by the accompanying emotion. By morphing our emotions into animal symbolism we can 'see' them and deal with them.

Since alligators and crocodiles are associated with water, and since water is often symbolic of the emotions, when these reptiles appear in your dreams they may be symbols of profound, potent emotions. They can mean your emotions have reached a dangerous level--you may be feeling like they will 'swallow' you whole. Your emotions may be reaching a point where they are becoming wild, and you feel you, like the alligator in the Florida lakes signs, may snap at any given moment. Alligators and crocodiles may also represent false emotions--the idea expressed when we say some one is crying 'crocodile tears'.

However unpleasant most of these interpretations of alligators and crocodiles are, it is interesting to note that these reptiles are also extremely powerful. While it may be impossible to make friends with a waking life alligator, it is not impossible to make your dream alligator your ally.

If you can identify the emotions or situation that is lurking under the surface of your conscious mind, you can use that powerful energy as protection rather than experiencing it as a hidden danger. You can harness the energy and use it as a source of inspiration and creativity.

The ancient Egyptians were well aware of the power of crocodile and how that power could be used for constructive purposes. They projected that power onto images of some of their gods. For example, the god Sobek was depicted as a crocodile. Sobek was a fertility god and also a god of creativity. Sometimes even Sekhmet, an Egyptian warrior goddess was sometimes depicted with a crocodile's head. This was an illustration of her power and ability to defend the sun god Ra by crushing his foes in order to defend his kingdom. In waking life, alligators and crocodiles are in fact, fierce, loving, protective mothers. Sekhmet embodies this trait.

Most important though than any of these interpretations are your own personal associations with alligators and/or crocodiles. Think back to any personal encounters you have had with these creatures and then see if those experiences have any matching correspondence to your dream reptile experience. Your own personal mythology always supersedes any dream interpreter's ideas--even mine.

As always, sleep well and dream out loud!

*~Aisling Ireland~* is an ordained Spiritual Counselor providing dream interpretation and Tarot readings. To make an appointment check out her website at: web.mac.com/aisling.ireland