If you seek out astrological connections in every moment of your waking life, perhaps you’re interested in exploring how the zodiac can interact with your slumber. If that’s the case, meet the mystical framework of dream interpretation called AstroDreamwork. AstroDreamwork is, wait for it, the simple-to-understand astrology of dreams, or a way of interpreting using your astrological element.

“The language of astrology helps us to not only understand ourselves, but the moments through which we’re both living and dreaming, and as such, it can help us translate the meaning of our dreams,” says Stephanie Gailing, astrologer, wellness consultant, and author of the The Complete Book of Dreams. “Our dreams help us tap into the deep wisdom residing in our unconscious that can provide us further insights that allow us to hone in on what we can learn about ourselves through our astrology chart.”

Both astrology and dreams are really just methods to tap into our self-awareness and psyche. Wielded wisely, they can forge a deeper sense of self-awareness, and AstroDreamwork deftly synergizes those dual methods of inner-work. After all, the Freudian interpretation of dreams is that it’s our subconscious mind sending messages about our desires, albeit in a kind of wonky, garbled way. And if your sun sign (and rising sign, and moon sign, and all the luminaries) are constantly on your mind, why wouldn’t they manifest into your dreams?

Why and understanding of elements and new moons is an important basis for the astrology of dreams

The astrological elements essentially explain your temperament, or the way you compose yourself: fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius), Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn), air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius), and water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces). AstroDreamwork involves identifying symbols related to your sign, by element, and ideally pairing them with what’s going on in the dream. If the imagery is violent or negative, then that’s an indication that your elemental lower qualities might be coming out, or you’re simply in a bad situation.

AstroDreamwork involves identifying symbols related to your sign, by element, and ideally pairing them with what’s going on in the dream.

As a helpful hint for interpreting your dreams using astrology, Gailing suggests paying extra attention to any dreams you might have during a new moon, because it’s a wonderful time for fresh-start energy and setting intentions. “See what insights [dreams] may be bringing forth regarding seeds for growth that you can plant at this time,” says Gailing. “Hone in on what they contain that may center on realms of your life that you want to expand and give birth to.”

How to understand the astrology of dreams with AstroDreamwork

Fire signs

Fire signs want to look for things that turn up the heat. If you’re seeing imagery that invokes warm and cozy feelings, that means you’re on the right path.

“Some ways that fire could show up constructively in our dream include images of ovens or stoves in or upon which we are making food,” says Gailing. “Other images may also be fires that provide us with warmth. Any image that reflects the nurturing or alchemizing properties of fire may be constructive.”

On the flip side, any upsetting, hellfire imagery may mean bad news for fire signs. Fire that’s super destructive, that burns, chars, and destroys in dreams may be cause for concern. For example, if you’re a Sagittarius feeling unsure of your job, maybe you’ll have a dream where you’re roasting marshmallows with your co-workers, showing you can get by if you lean on your colleagues. But if you dream your office building is on fire, for example, that might show you’re over-expressing your hot-headedness, not leaning into the naturally nurturing quality of your sign. “If an image like this is a recurring theme—and we have a significant display of fire energy in our chart—it’s pointing us to pay attention to excessively expressing these fiery qualities,” says Gailing.

Earth signs

Earth signs want to look for images related to nature. Flowers, trees, animals, the land, and any beautifully built structures. You could also seek out containers, pottery, soil—anything that you can plant a seed in.

“A way that Earth could show up that may upset or scare us would be the heaviness of Earth pressuring us,” says Gailing. “[This could look like] being under a pile of rocks, the walls coming in around us, or feeling really heavy, like under weight of excessive gravity.”

So, how might Earth conflict appear in a dream? Let’s say you’re a Taurus, and you recently challenged your fixed nature and moved to a new city. Dreaming of planting a windowsill tomato garden while Jeff Goldblum massages your feet (don’t judge) means you’re in the right space to grow. But if you’ve lived in the same city for five years and imagine a boulder nailing your dress to the floor, it might mean you should consider combatting that fear of change and uproot yourself.

Air signs

Air signs look for playful, effervescent energy. “Some ways that air could show up constructively in our dreams include a fresh breeze, beautiful balloons floating in the sky, a kite dancing, lively and engaging conversations, or a tech device that effortlessly yields important solutions,” says Gailing.

Meanwhile, beware of heavy gusts of wind that throw us off center, incessant chatter, or tech devices that have a mind of their own. For example, let’s say you’re a Gemini who is booking Hinge dates every night, trying to find love or something like it. If you’re dreaming you’re not flying a kite, but you are the kite (because dreams can be effing weird), be concerned about that. It might mean you’re leaning into the more flighty qualities of your air sign when dating instead of those higher, wittier, intellectually minded traits that would allow you to find someone you really connect with.

Water signs

Some ways that water could show up constructively in water signs’ dreams include a beautiful swimming pool, effortlessly surfing the waves, drinking some delightful beverages, or downing healing liquid elixirs. Gailing warns that tsunamis, images of drowning, leaks in one’s home, or faucets that won’t stop dripping are bad news.

For an example, let’s say you’re a Cancer and you have feelings for someone. Your emotions are always all over the place, so you can’t really determine if this person is good for you, or another thing to run far, far away from. If you dream that you’re night swimming in a beautiful upstate lake together, congratulations. That may mean you’ve found your soul mate! Meanwhile, if you dream you’re drowning them while wearing a hockey mask… yeah, it might mean you’re smothering the chance of a beautiful relationship.

But who knows? When it comes to astrology and dreams, it’s all up to interpretation, don’t you think?

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