Sex dreams can be extremely hot, confusing, disgusting or any combination of the above. We've all had them, and more often than not, they bear no relation to the sex we are having in our waking hours. According to Kelly Sullivan Walden, author of I Had the Strangest Dream… The Dreamers Dictionary for the 21st Century, we should pay close attention to these dreams because they can act as free therapy.
"When we try to understand our dreams and listen to what they are trying to tell us, major shifts can happen in your life," says Sullivan Walden, who adds that we should keep records of the dreams we have in order to work through them, because no matter how bizarre, every dream can be interpreted.
Here are four bizarre dreams ripe with symbolism, and Sullivan Walden's interpretation of what exactly they mean.
The Rock Star Dream
"I have this very sexy recurring dream where I'm at an Iron Maiden concert and the lead singer pulls me out of the crowd, onto the stage and we start making out in front of thousands of screaming fans. I wake up so hot and ready for action."
-- Nicole from Vancouver
Although Nicole certainly would like to make out with the singer from Iron Maiden, this dream isn't just about the attraction she feels. There is a much deeper meaning, says Sullivan Walden. "Nicole is connecting with the raw elemental power the rock star represents and is coming into a sexy and powerful stage in her own life. Her subliminal mind is telling her that she needs to embrace her own raw animal instincts and let her wild side rock out," she says.
Dreams that feature music are very positive, as they represent us coming into harmony and concert with our souls, says Sullivan Walden, "So this is a very powerful dream for Nicole to keep having."
The Ex-Sex Dream
"I had a really hot dream about wild sex with a psycho ex-girlfriend. Our relationship ended so badly that I don't even like to think about her, so why am I dreaming about screwing her and enjoying it so much?"
-- Dan from Truro, N.S.
Dreams about an ex are rich, deep, often very juicy, and laden with meaning, says Sullivan Walden, "These dreams are about wanting to heal yourself, and often have nothing to do with that ex so much as represent the parts of you that have been lost since that relationship ended. For example, if you were more passionate while you were with that person, your dreams are trying to connect you back with that side of yourself. Every character in your dreams is really you, so you should look at their behavior in the dreams and see how it relates to your life."
There is another school of thought that says no relationship ever truly ends, says Sullivan Walden, and in our dream state we are simply continuing the good part of the relationship, as in the love that was there, which will go on forever.