Dream interpretation is so vast! Breaking down concepts, theories, and definitions can be a real challenge – especially when you know that when it comes to dreaming, subjectivity is everything.

A great method for dream interpretation that can help you extract symbolic meaning is understanding the relationship between the elements of air, fire, water, and earth, and their relationship with everything that surrounds us. Ready to jump in?

Element of Air

The element of Air is associated with the East, the rising Sun, and the season of Spring. In the medicine wheel, Air is related to childhood, and the desire to look at the world with new eyes. With springtime comes freshness, novelty, and new perspectives. It is a time for clearing out, and starting over with a clean slate.

Dreaming with air elements suggests a time of socialization and friendship, sharing of ideas, and the beginning of new projects. Springtime is a great time to plant new seeds, search for new opportunities, and find romantic partners. During this time, we learn how to make decisions and plan our efforts.

In astrology, the air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These signs are known for their intelligence, creativity, and ability to look at situations from different points of view. Occasionally, they also disconnect from reality and have a tendency to overestimate their plans. They love connecting with the world, learning new things, and traveling. People with these signs tend to dream that they are flying, or have lucid dreams.

• Dream Symbols: Airplanes, flying, floating, seeds, children
• Animals: Birds and flying insects
• Lessons: Awakening, vision, opportunity
• Message: Plan your efforts and choose seeds that will bear fruit.

Element of Fire

The element of Fire represents power and strength. Related to youth, Summer, and the South, this element fuels us with an energy that makes us feel like we are ready to conquer the world.

Summer is the season of preference for celebrating life. It is also the time to put the work into what we planned during Spring. We attend parties, weddings, trips, graduations, bonfires, barbecues, you name it! All of this work and play might make us forget our boundaries and bring conflict or moments of anger. This is a time to recognize, establish, and respect our own boundaries and other people’s boundaries.

In astrology, the Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These signs are known for their boldness, charisma, and for being headstrong. They sometimes lack patience, which is why their dreams may have a flair for the dramatic or tend to end abruptly.

• Dream Symbols: Fire, smoke, passion, speed, action, heat, sex, anger
• Animals: Dragon, lizards, iguanas, salamanders, fire ants
• Lessons: Intention, respect, balance of power
• Message: Learn to recognize and respect your own boundaries.

Element of Water

The element of Water represents emotions and intuition. Related to adulthood and Autumn, this element requires us to look within, evaluate the past, and rectify our actions.

During the Fall, we reap what we have sown, and dreams with Water alert us to an upcoming learning experience that will bring unresolved issues to the surface. This experience may bring up fear, anxiety, and depression. Water asks you to stay in flux and navigate these lessons – the more you fight against the current, the worse it’ll be. Trust that this process is for the best and that it is necessary to transcend into the next stage of your life.

In astrology, what Water signs are Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio. People born under these signs or with heavy Water influence in their charts feel a deep connection with the ocean, the moon, and their intuition. They may often dream with water, swimming, or water animals.

• Dream symbols: Mirrors, reflections, rivers, lakes, oceans, boats, rain, floods
• Animals: Dolphins, whales, fish, crabs
• Lessons: The Self, polarity, consciousness
• Message: If you are to face your Shadow, you must trust your intuition.

Element of Earth

The element of Earth represents wisdom, and the end of life. Related to Winter and old age, Earth brings up the need to contemplate life and accept the mistakes that we have made gracefully before death.

Dreams with Earth announce an upcoming stage of culmination and release. The harvest has been gathered, and now we must live out the long Winter with the efforts that we have put in during the year. This is a time to share what we have learned and release the past with dignity? to let things die. Although we know that death is but a transition, the lesson that Earth brings is that in order to be reborn, we must first accept that we must die.

In astrology, the Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These signs are as pragmatic as they are passionate and are known for being friendly – but sometimes a bit retrograde. People born under these signs or with strong Earth influence in their charts tend to dream in riddles that they feel compelled to solve.

• Dream Symbols: Cars, wooden objects, adventures, plants, nature, body parts, winter, snow
• Animals: Most mammals, some reptiles
• Lessons: Let go, understand, accept
• Message: Let go of the past and enjoy every moment in front of you.