Strange things always appear in your dreams - things you think shouldn't be there: people you've never met, activities you've never done, abilities you've never had (if you had , please raise your hands) once completely became a superhero and flew in your dreams). But sometimes, your nightly wanderings lead to more... mundane things. For example, like cats. But what does it mean if you dream about cats? People tend to attribute personality traits or characteristics to animals, so when animals appear in your dreams, they provide extremely rich dream interpretation opportunities. This is especially true when the animal is as familiar as a cat.
Like any other dream subject, cat dreams may be your sleeping brain's way of sending you a message. That's why experts recommend looking for common threads in your dreams. "Whenever you wake up and remember your dream, quickly write down as much information as possible," says Danielle Massi, LMFT, therapist and owner of The Wellness Collective. "Do this for a few weeks and you may notice some patterns emerging from your dreams."
From here, try to look behind the symbolism of cats. According to mental health clinician Josiah Teng, MHC-LP, it can be helpful to think of cats as puppets and the meaning of dreams as strings. "Look at what it does," he told Busy. "What role does the cat play in your dreams? Does it guide you into the dream world or create chaos through its behavior? Do you feel comforted or threatened when it appears? Does the cat's behavior differ from one in your real life?" The strength echoes.”
Each dream symbol is an opportunity to better understand yourself and what you may need to address or change in your waking life. With that in mind, here are the different interpretations of cat dreams, say experts.
The cultural history of cats
When interpreting this particular dream subject, it can be helpful to understand the long history of mythology and symbolism associated with cats. For example, you might have learned about the Egyptian patron goddess Bastet, who was traditionally depicted as part cat, and now history has entered your dreams.
There is also a long list of legends and folklore associated with cats. Some people believe cats suck a baby's breath or bring good and bad luck. Some say cats can also predict the weather. Depending on what you hear, it can help explain why a cat suddenly appeared in your dream and what its presence might mean to you.
Then there's the psychological aspect to consider. While some schools of thought—such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung—believe in the idea of universal dream symbolism, other researchers disagree. In a 2012 Psychology Today article, Stephanie A. Sarkis, Ph.D., writes: "Your chipmunk is not someone else's chipmunk. Your understanding of your chipmunk is your experience with the chipmunk in your daily life." So, if your experience with chipmunks has been largely negative, then any dreams you have about chipmunks are also likely to be negative - but someone who has had generally positive experiences with chipmunks may dream differently. Dreams about chipmunks.
The same goes for cats: If you dream about cats, the best way to interpret the dream is to look for themes and ways to connect your dreams to real life, while also thinking about your own thoughts, feelings, and connections to cats. Figuring this out may help you achieve your cat dreams, which are specific to you.
What does it mean if you dream about a cat
1. You want more independence
Have you noticed that your cat often sleeps alone, plays alone, or spends the night alone? If so, are you a little jealous?
According to practicing clinical psychologist Holly Schiff, Psy.D., dreams about cats often represent a desire for more independence. "You may feel like you're too dependent on others, or long to be strong enough to be independent," she tells Bustle.
To figure this out, consider the different elements of your dream. "If you dream that you can't find your cat and they're lost, this could be a metaphor for your own independence and the feeling that something is holding you back," Schiff says. "If you save a cat's life in a dream, this may symbolize your regained independence."
2. You’re tapping into your feminine energy
Historically, cats have represented the divine feminine, so consider how you can apply that, Massey said. According to Marcy, if your cat is happy, it probably means your divine feminine energy is in balance. But if your cat is unhappy, it may mean that some aspect of your energy is out of balance.
Cat dreams may also indicate that the female energy in your life—such as a friend or partner—is throwing you off balance or in need of more attention.
3. The spiritual guide is trying to get your attention.
Some people believe that the Egyptian god Bastet will send a cat through dreams as a message or an invitation to work with her, especially in times of need for protection. To interpret this type of dream, Massey recommends researching what Buster symbolizes and seeing if these elements are relevant to your life.
4. You feel uneasy
Teng suggests that if you are a cat in a dream, consider what you think and feel when you travel through the dream world. For example, if you frequently avoid dogs, this may be a sign that you feel unsafe or that there are threats in your waking life that need to be addressed.
"Dreams about cats are often less about the cat itself and more about your relationship with the cat, its behavior and your reactions," he says. "You can find the meaning of a cat in your dream by looking for the strings that connect these elements and finding their real-life counterparts."
5. You suspect someone is lying to you
Cats are said to be closely associated with curiosity, secrecy and independence, but also with hidden knowledge, bad luck and some kind of deception. This is why dreaming about cats may mean that you suspect someone is cheating on you, or that you may be cheating yourself on something. As you jot down these topics in your journal, think about whether there are any questionable behaviors in your daily life that need to be addressed.
6. You need to listen to your gut
If a cat appears in your dream, this can be a powerful message to listen to your intuition. Just like a cat, your intuition is always there, but it's often hidden without you realizing it.
Or, depending on how you feel about your cat, it might also represent something about yourself that you don't want to reveal, either because you're ashamed of it or because you lack the confidence to fully express yourself. Picture a cat hiding in the shadows.
Like cats themselves, your instincts are unpredictable. It emerges when it has feelings and is not easily trained or controlled. Again, it's important to pay attention to how cats appear in your dreams, as it will tell you how attuned you are to your intuition.
7. You feel overwhelmed
Cats are a dream symbol of self-reliance, but there is an exception to this rule. If they come in the form of a helpless kitten - which represents innocence, purity and openness to the future - you may feel vulnerable and overwhelmed. If so, be sure to take better care of yourself or seek help when you need it, and you may notice that this type of dream resolves.
And, depending on what's going on in your waking life, dreaming of a kitten or a cat giving birth may suggest a new project or relationship, or something or someone you're not yet sure about, or that needs nurturing to build your own. . If you see many cats in your dream, you may feel overwhelmed by confusion or confusion.
8.You are lonely
Dreaming about mountain lions or bobcats hanging out in the woods or on a windswept mountaintop? Wildcat dreams may indicate that you feel free and independent, or that you feel lonely. There are also often themes of survival, power, cunning, and ferocity that require focus.
Whether it's a lion, tiger, leopard, panther or jaguar, a wild cat may suggest that you feel like you're in a dangerous place, but that any difficulty can be overcome with courage and a roar. You need to face your fears. If you can clearly identify the wild cat chasing you, there's a whole new world of symbolism and associations waiting to be delved into.
9. You need to believe in yourself more
If you lost a cat in a dream or are trying to find a cat, this suggests that in real life you realize that you need to trust yourself more, but you haven't done that yet. It may be time for you to prioritize your own emotional needs over others. If your cat has been abused or neglected, reflect on your close relationship. Are there toxic patterns of codependency? Remember, people treat you as you treat yourself.
10. You have to face unresolved fears
While some people only dream in black and white, most people dream in bright colors, so you'll want to study color associations to see if they speak to you. Is this a white cat? You may be facing "hard times." Is it black? You may have unresolved fears about something. Black cats are often mistakenly considered a sign of bad luck, so it could be a sign that you don't trust your instincts enough. If you dream of an orange cat, this is a sign of rampant creativity in your life.
11. You need to embrace your uniqueness
Keep in mind that what the cat is doing in your dream may also affect its symbolic meaning. If the cat is chasing a mouse or toy, your subconscious may be telling you to embrace your independence and uniqueness, regardless of what others think. You may also see explanations of your naughty side, which may suggest that you should unleash that naughty side more often.
bottom line
According to Freud, cats represent sexual tension, but Jung believed that cats were an archetype and a source of inner inspiration and guidance. Cats can certainly be associated with your sexual energy or be a sign that you are considering or may be about to embark on a sexual adventure. The way forward is to express and love yourself like a cat: stay confident, listen to your intuition, and choose your moment. Then, don't be afraid to explore and ask for what you want, as curious cats are prone to do.
In summary, whether you are a cat lover will determine whether dreaming about cats feels like a dream or a nightmare. If anything in your dream made you feel uneasy or confused, try to identify something going on in your waking life that made you feel that way. Your dream mind is urging you to focus on this issue and use your feelings about cats and the lessons they can teach you to help you understand and heal whatever is holding you back.
From this perspective, dreams about cats - just like their real-life counterparts - can really become your best friends and familiar good luck charms.
source:
Danielle Massi, LMFT, Therapist
Holly Schiff, Ph.D., Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Josiah Teng, MHC-LP, mental health clinician
