return to list of articles by Donna Palmieri D’Amore   Dreams are a fascinating and awe-inspiring phenomenon which truly provide a window into our souls. Understanding the deeper symbolism and significance of our dreams can enhance our lives in a myriad of ways. Dreams and visions can help heal old wounds, learn life lessons, deal with current situations, understand past memories, receive visits from loved ones who have crossed over and get a glimpse into the future. If we pay close attention, dreams are sometimes a direct answer to our prayers. A general knowledge of the different types of the dreams you receive may provide insights which will make your life more interesting and wondrous, and will at times ease the stress of making life decisions. Symbolisms contained within the most vivid dreams can be quite illuminating. The majority of dreams tend to fall into the following categories: Message / Lesson Dreams By far the most common, these dreams are truly gifts from God, our angels and spirit guardians. These particular dreams are usually the ones which we think are the strangest or have the most unusual symbolism or context. This is for a very important reason: so that they will be remembered! These dreams are given to us to help with situations which arise in our daily lives or with questions we may have about particular situations. They can be reminders about behaviors which should be modified, or actual warnings about potential problems. At very special times, dreams are direct answers to our prayers and supplications.  Visitation Dreams Have you ever had a dream which included a relative, loved one or friend who has already passed over? Do you remember the feelings of joy, love, happiness and hope which likely accompanied this dream? Did it seem as if your departed loved one was actually there? That’s because they really were! Visiting us in dreams is one of the easiest ways for our loved ones who now reside in the spiritual realm to call upon us. While we sleep, our souls are much more open to communication with those in the spiritual realm. At times our spirit friends speak to us in the dream. Other times, they simply appear to let us know they are there; they are well; they are thinking of us and that we are loved.  Prophetic / Premonition Dreams Some dreams involving scenarios with living people we know (or know of) sometimes fall into this category. We receive these visions as a tool to help us prepare for and work through situations which may come to pass in the future. This is one of the ways our spirit guides are able to help us on our life journey. Pictures from the Past These dreams chronicle some of the journeys which our souls have been on. It is quite probable that the medical field may have incorrectly identified these types of dreams, which most commonly occur for young children and teenagers, as “Night Terrors.” Although these dreams frightened many of us in our youth, a more complete knowledge of what they actually represent can help free us from past pain, and open the door to a more fulfilling future.  The following interpretation is simple, yet illustrative. A friend had a dream in which he was being followed by a turtle. No matter how fast he ran, he could not shake the turtle. Each time he turned to look over his shoulder, it was right there behind him. This dream had a twofold meaning. The first lesson was rather simple: slow and steady gets the job done. The message was that my friend should slow down and not try to rush through things. If he paces himself and sets a steady course, like the turtle, he will reach his goals. The second and deeper level meaning of this dream was that no matter how hard you try, you cannot hide from life’s difficulties. Although my friend kept running, he could not escape the turtle (his problems). He needed a reminder that facing issues head-on and in a direct manner is a much better way to deal with difficult situations. Life will generally flow more smoothly and stress will be lessened if we are able to turn around and face matters as they occur, rather than trying to run and hoping that problems will somehow magicly disappear. Our special angels and guides who reside within the spiritual realm love to help us in wondrous ways, and our dreams are a very real connection with them. Open your heart and mind to the limitless possibilities which spiritual communication offers. You will come away with a deeper understanding of what your dreams really mean, and this awareness may enrich your life immeasurably. God knows our hearts and what is best for us. The dreams we are given are those which we need at that precise moment in time. Your dreams will begin to take on a whole new significance once you understand what precious gifts they actually are. As a Hebraic proverb beautifully states: “A dream uninterrupted is like a letter unread.”