that you can achieve a great deal in tiny steps—like the effort taken to string beads into a necklace. To dream of a broken string of beads is a common anxiety dream, particularly so if the beads don’t belong to you.
BEAR
If you’re being chased by a bear, it could be that you’re afraid to address the bearlike side of yourself; after all, with power comes responsibility. If you’re wrestling with a bear, then two sides of your nature are at odds with one another. It’s also possible that you’re being forced to do something that is against your moral principles. A bear is a powerful totem animal, if you’re interested in that aspect of your dreams. Dreaming of one could mean you have access to all the power and might of the bear and you share its qualities.
BED
This is where we do most of our freaky dreaming, right? Therefore, to find yourself dreaming about a bed might seem to be a curious waste of good sleep time. However, a bed is where the majority of acts of love take place, so maybe your dream hints toward more carnal matters. If the bed is well made in your dream, then this indicates that your life is in order. If it’s disheveled and scruffy, though, the opposite is true. If you can’t find your bed at all, then your dream is one of anxiety. Is there anyone else in the bed? If it’s a sexy stranger, then maybe your waking life needs to be perked up a little.
BEDBUGS
These microscopically tiny little critters are just something we have to live with since we can’t seem to get rid of them. Dreaming of bedbugs could be a reminder about a pesky and relentless situation in your own life, perhaps a problem that just won’t get resolved. If your dream bedbugs have attained an alarming size, then this dream is giving you one clear message: don’t sweat the small stuff. See your troubles for what they are, as inconsequential and as inevitable as bedbugs.
BED-WETTING
Is it you that’s reverted back to this infantile behavior? This sort of dream leaves the dreamer feeling humiliated and wretched. You could be feeling that you have a lack of control in your real life, that situations are being thrust upon you that you’re not ready for. It could be that you’re taking on too much. Also, a bed-wetting dream is a typical anxiety dream, so you need to alleviate whatever those anxieties might be in your waking life.
BEES
Archetypal symbols of industry and harmonious cooperation, dreaming about bees could be a congratulatory reminder that you are applying the same principles in your waking life—or conversely, they could be sending you a signal that certain attitudes of your could be improved upon.
BESOM (See Broom)
BESTIALITY
Whoa! If you’re dreaming about having sex with an animal, then this qualifies as truly freaky. What sort of an animal is it? What part are you playing? Is it fun, or are you on the receiving end of something way too big and scary? Before you make an appointment with your therapist, it’s important to remember that animals in dreams represent a hidden side of ourselves and the symbolism is fairly obvious; a tiger for ferocity, a deer for gentleness and fragility, a rabbit for sexuality, for example. Embrace whatever the creature is, as a part of you that needs attention.
BIRD
Like the industrious bee, the bird is an important archetypal symbol, and having one appear in your dream can have profound meaning. Anything with wings can move in a different dimension and so were considered, like angels, to be messengers from the gods themselves. But how to translate that message? First, try to identify the bird. A water bird, for example, speaks of hidden depths; literally, there’s more beneath the surface than you might imagine. A large air bird such as a condor can see great distances and can assess situations almost before they happen. A flock of dark birds might seem threatening, as though you’re being beset with problems that deny you a clear vision of what’s ahead. If you’re flying with birds, then you are liberated and joyful, happy in your life.
BLOG
If you dream that you’re writing a blog, this could be a sign that you need to take more control of events in your life. It’s also possible that in your waking life you’re spending more time in front of a screen than is considered healthy. Live your life actively instead of playing it out on your laptop!
BLOOD
An essential component of our health, the bright red color of our blood is symbolic of life itself. If you dream that blood is splattered all over the place, then your dream is straying into nightmare territory. It could be an accurate reflection of violence in your own life, but it’s more commonly a signal of anxiety. If you find yourself drinking blood in your dream, it might be that there’s a similar situation in your life; something that you’re trying to hide, a guilty secret. If you see blood pouring away down a river or into a drain, then you are feeling that your life forces are being washed away. Look to the state of your physical health.
BOSS
The meaning of a “boss” dream depends on your relationship with your own boss. It could indicate that you have problems with authority figures or that you’re spending too much time obsessing about work. Alternatively, an authority figure in a dream is sometimes there to offer guidance that’s needed by our subconscious mind, so listen to whatever your boss is telling you in the dream. It’s also worth considering that your “boss” might even be your husband, wife, or partner—or perhaps your child.
BOTTLE
Any dream about a container is about the container that is you. Is the bottle transparent or opaque? Is it full or is it empty? If it is full, then you’re feeling fortunate and all is fine. If it’s empty, you’re feeling drained and tired, with nothing left to give. If it’s a champagne bottle that you’re dealing with, then there’s something to celebrate or there will be soon; celebrate yourself!
BOUGH (See Branch)
BOUND
If you’re tied up or bound in any way, this could be a Freudian dream of sexual repression. It’s equally likely that you’re feeling restricted in other areas of your life, too.
BOX
Like the bottle, this is a “container” dream. The box represents you. So, whether the box is open or shut, and whether it’s full or empty, will speak to you about where you are in your life at this particular moment. If the box is full of flowers, that’s a positive sign. If, on the other hand, it’s full of wriggly creepy-crawlies, then maybe you need to think some things through. You could be keeping a secret or repressing something. Above all, remember what happened to Pandora.
BRA
If you’re a woman dreaming of a shabby old bra, you’re feeling neglected and unappreciated. After all, a woman’s breasts are an important symbol of sexuality, motherhood, and femininity. If you dream of a sexy, lacy bra, you’re feeling confident about your feminine side in particular, and about life in general. If you’re a man dreaming of skimpy lingerie, you might be lacking physical love in your waking life.
BRANCH
Branches and boughs can refer to your family. If they’re broken, perhaps there’s a similar breakdown in communications or even a death. Healthy, leafy branches can suggest encouraging news, new growth, or fresh ideas—they could even act as a prophesy dream indicating a new “branch” to the family in the form of a marriage or a baby.
BREAD
The staff of life, the loaf represents the basic needs in life. Not simply material—although bread is a euphemism for money—it can stand for spiritual sustenance, too. The sliced white bread that you dream of could be a reminder that you need to address your soul as well as your body.
BREASTS
Breasts