Ghosts are pretty popular right now given that Halloween season is upon us. Are there any ghosts haunting your dreams? If so, what might they be symbolizing? Below are some ideas.

Ghosts vs. Visitations

Differentiating between "ghost dreams" and dreams of loved ones who have died is important since dreaming of loved ones who have died may carry quite different feelings and meanings than classic ghost dreams. Dreaming of someone who has died, especially this time of year, may be an ancestral visitation dream. For more on ancestral visitation dreams, see the article at: Halloween Dreams

Ghosts of the Newly Departed

If someone you love has recently died that person may appear in a dream as a ghost. These types of dreams may carry a slightly different meaning than ancestral visitation dreams. These types of dreams may symbolize mourning or unprocessed grief over the loss of that person. They can also sometimes symbolize guilty feelings in relation to that person--words left unspoken, not having said goodbye properly, or even guilt over being angry that the person died. On a more positive note, these dreams may also be visitations; times for wrapping up business you wish you had taken care of before the person crossed. I personally had one such dream when my grandfather died and I cherish that dream to this day as I was out of the country when he left and was very disturbed that I didn't get to say goodbye.

Classic Ghost Dreams

Classic ghosts dreams are dreams that have a more haunting (pun intended) quality than dreams about those who have recently died or those loved ones who come to visit us while we sleep. These are dreams of the shadowy shape, person, or image that comes unbidden and leaves behind a feeling of uneasiness or even fear. Classic ghost dreams may fall into the 'shadow' category of dreams. (More information about the shadow is located at: Shadow.) As a shadow symbol ghosts may represent parts of ourselves we do not wish to look at--parts of ourselves that we don't like or that actually scare us.

Classic ghost dreams require a look at the feelings and reactions one has to the ghost in question. If the feelings are fear based or if the ghost elicits a fight or flight type of response, the dream may symbolize an attempt to run away from or somehow combat some part of one's Self. If, however, you find yourself speaking to the ghost or embracing it in some way then the dream may indicate an acceptance or integration of some aspect that was previously denied.

Haunted Dreams

Ghosts are associated with hauntings and haunted places. They are also invariably symbols of the past. As such they may also symbolize some painful aspect of the past that has never been dealt with, yet still haunts the soul. Looking at the other symbols in the dream, such as its location, may provide clues as to what it is that hasn't been processed. For example, if you find yourself in your old childhood home the dream may point to some trauma suffered in childhood.

Ghost dreams may feel scary, spooky, and unnerving, but facing and understanding them helps one make peace with the past so the present can be lived more fully.

Until next time, sleep well and dream out loud!

*~Aisling Ireland~* is an ordained Interfaith Minister, available for weddings and commitment ceremonies and a Spiritual Counselor providing dream interpretation and Tarot readings. To make an appointment check out her website at: Sang-Realta Spiritual Counseling