(1) A black hole or dark depths - for example, an unlit cellar or a deep well or oceanic depths - may represent the unconscious. This blackness mav be frightening, so long as the unconscious remains alien and unfamiliar. However, black can also be warm and comforting - which is whv insomniacs arc sometimes advised to close their eyes and imagine themselves wrapped.round in black velvet.
If you begin to trust your unconscious (which means trusting Nature), each previously horrifying or disgusting part of your unconscious will show itself in a new light, as something vou need for personal fulfilment. Putting vour consciousness
into the unconscious - becoming aware of it - means putting more and more light into the darkness.
If a star or other bright light appears in the blackness, this may be seen as a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, that is, as a symbol of the ‘illumination’ - new wisdom or insight - that may be achieved by dwelling a while in the unconscious and making its better acquaintance.
(2) Black (particularly for white people) may symbolize evil.
If so, bear in mind that, as a general rule, what appears in your dreams is always some part of you, and that the so-called ‘evil’ (and therefore repressed) parts of you are really evil only if, because of neglect, they become rebellious, or if you let them take control away from your conscious self. These ‘evil’ things are transformed into good things - creative, and bringing fuller life, happiness and wholeness - when conscious and unconscious interact and establish a harmonious working relationship.
NB It is only Judaism, Christianity and Islam that have a thoroughgoing dualism of good and evil, and a matching moral dogmatism. In the earliest known forms of religion, and in traditions (such as the Hindu, Buddhist and Taoist traditions) that have not cut themselves off from their early roots, good and evil are opposite but equally necessary’ components of reality; and in mystical traditions (including Jewish, Christian and Islamic mysticism) even God is described as a coming together of opposites - good and evil, but also masculine and feminine.
(3) A person dressed in black may represent vour shadow.
(4) A black-skinned person (if you are white-skinned) may represent either the shadow or closeness to Nature.
(5) A black animal probably represents some unconscious repressed drive or emotion.
If the animal is fierce, this possibly means that something yrou have repressed is now urgently pressing you to give it your conscious attention and let it have some expression in your w aking life.
(6) Blackness (as in a black night, etc.) may simply signify’ diminished visibility, in which case the meaning of the dream may have something to do w ith a loss of orientation in your life. Do vou feel you don’t know’ which w’ay to go; or that you don’t hav e the energy’ or will to go in any direction? If so, make a pact w ith v our unconscious to die effect that, if it will tell you where you have the potential - and the need - to go, you will respond accordingly in your life. Then pav close attention
to the dreams that follow. (If you go the next few nights without dreaming - or, more precisely, without recalling any dreams - this probably means that you are backing out of the pact and setting up a defence against what you fear your unconscious might have to tell you.)
(7) Black may symbolize despair or deep depression.
If so, follow the advice given in (6) above.
(8) In many parts of the world black is associated with death.
It is possible, therefore, that this is what the colour signifies in your dream. Bear in mind, however, that death in a dream may refer to something internal: the ‘death’ - or the giving up - of something within you (for example, some irrational fear, or other negative attitude or emotion). See also Death.... A Dictionary of Dream Symbols
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A Dictionary of Dream Symbols
Black or dark horse: Passions that have not been acknowledged; fear of the unknown or threatening changes.
Blinkered horse: Not allowing yourself to see what is happening around you; anxiety and worries about life.
Controlling the horse, or fear of it: Trying to control your feelings of passion and sexuality. These natural drives can motivate you or drag you along unwillingly.
Dead horse: Serious loss of energy or motivation which could lead to illness or depression; an old and dying set of habits and motivations or way of life.
Falling off horse: A sign that you are relating badly to your basic urges and needs.
If you continue to deny these, poor health could be the unwelcome result.
Grooming and caring for a horse: Taking care of your basic needs such as food, shelter and sex.
Horse and carriage: The natural processes of life that carry you from birth to old age; natural forces that can move you forward either from within or as natural events.
Horse dragging the dreamer along: Impetuosity of feelings; feelings dragged along by natural urges.
Horse being playful or affectionate: Feelings of warmth and strength from within.
Horse race: The events of everyday life and your relationship with people; everyday competition and where you rate yourself in the race; what happens in the race shows how you are relating to opportunities or how you feel about your accomplishments.
Horse running freely: Allowing your emotions or sexuality free rein; a symbol of the love of life.
Horse unwilling to move or carry: Your dreaming mind is telling you that you are uncertain about the direction in which you are trying to go.
Mare: Symbol of femininity, receptiveness and fertility.
Newborn horse or pony: Symbol of refreshing energy or new motivations.
Old or worn-out horse: Current state of your feelings. You may be feeling worn out or overworked, or feel that a particular relationship has run its course.
Riding or leading horse easily: A symbol of a good relationship between your personality and your instinctive drives.
Running away from a horse or from charging cavalry: Fear of sexuality, including anxieties towards the responsibilities of parenthood and relationships; you may be avoiding the need to direct or control your feelings and urges.
Sick or dying horse: loss of health, energy and enthusiasm for life.
Stallion: Symbol of masculinity, power and virility.
Strange or unknown horse or horseman/woman: Message from the unconscious; a new opportunity or event.
Struggling to control the horse: Fighting your urges and natural drives. You may be having problems controlling your emotions or sexuality.
Tied-up horse: A symbol of inhibition. Your dreaming mind may be telling you that it is time to release your feelings and give free rein to your creativity.
Training a horse: This suggests that you are learning to direct your sexual and emotional energy.
Uneasy on ride: If this image appears in your dreams you may feel as if you are being taken for a ride or feel that your emotions are taking over your life.
White horse: An image of transformation or meeting with an expanded awareness of ourselves.
Winged horse: Shows how you can rise above your basic needs and urges to discover awareness and fulfillment beyond personal memories and experience.
Working horse: The energy or motivation needed to work. The condition of the horse will tell you how you feel about yourself in relation to your work. Do you feel you are only a workhorse or that you are being treated as such?... The Element Encyclopedia
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The Element Encyclopedia