Dream Dictionary
A dictionary from the Spellbook — symbols A–Z, and themes from Alphabet through Wedding.
The symbol list and themes follow the Dream Moods A–Z dictionary and theme pages. The readings here are written for the Spellbook. A symbol is a reading, not a prediction.
I
I
The letter I puns on yourself: time to focus there, or a warning that self-interest has gone too far. It also stands for action and responsibility.
Ibis
An ibis is devotion, persistence, and aims you are willing to work toward.
Ice
Ice is thinking that will not flow, and little progress. It can also mean you are taking risks you should skip; slipping is shaky confidence, and falling through means feeling is about to break the surface.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is pleasure, luck, and satisfaction, including in love, so enjoy the moment. It can also say cool a temper, or pun on "I scream," something that needs to be let out. Melted or sour, a hope has failed or a trust has broken.
Ice Cream Truck
An ice cream truck is a chance that can pass if you are not paying attention. Chasing it means the reward was already missed.
Ice Cube
Ice cubes are feelings gone cold, or a temper that needs cooling. They can also be a simple refreshment and a hint to relax.
Ice Maker
An ice maker means you are shutting people out and closing off feeling. Broken, it means you are weary.
Ice Pick
An ice pick is cold feeling kept down. It can also be male sexuality turned aggressive.
Ice Sculpture
An ice sculpture means an event has frozen your progress. The shape tells you which part of life is stuck.
Ice Skating
Ice skating says trust your own moves, and proceed carefully into a situation or a bond.
Iceberg
An iceberg means unused strength, or a facade that hides the larger mass. Look past the obvious part of the decision.
Icicles
Icicles are a worry that has hung over you. Melting, the hard stretch is nearly done; forming, you feel unsupported.
Icing
Icing on a cake is a pretty surface over an empty inside. It can also be the last touch that makes a work feel complete, and eating it can mean an early sweetness that does not satisfy.
Ideal
Meeting an ideal person means your standards for other people are unrealistic. Having ideals means you are ambitious and aimed.
Identification
Your identification is self-confidence. Losing it is confusion about who you are.
Identity Theft
Identity theft means another person is claiming the results of your labor, or that you are in a crisis about who you are. Stealing an identity means you are pretending, often to fit in, and their qualities are the ones you admire.
Idiot
Calling yourself or someone else an idiot means you are making a situation harder than it is. The thinking is muddy.
Idle
Idling is boredom and no move toward what you actually want. Idle people around you mean your time and energy are being wasted.
Idols
Worshipping an idol means little progress, because the values you are bowing to are false.
Igloo
An igloo is someone who looks cold and is warm inside. It can also be a hard feminine barrier that needs to come down.
Ignition
Turning the ignition means you are set to move toward an aim. Trouble starting it means you cannot find how to begin, or that something in your life needs a spark.
Ignorance
Ignorance, yours or someone else's, is harsh judgment of your own achievements and low regard for yourself.
Ignore
Ignoring someone, or being ignored, is a part of yourself you are not attending to. It can also match a real snub from that person.
Iguana
An iguana is a harsh, fierce approach: hostile and hard to stop. The animal can also recall a person or a scene that frightens you and still impresses you.
Illness
Illness is despair, an unpleasant change, or a feeling of coming apart, sometimes used as a way out of a situation you cannot handle. It can also be a prompt to notice your health, especially the body part shown; a terminal disease is the sense that time is precious, or hopelessness you should name.
See also Sick.
Illumination
A strange light is thought from a raw, less developed part of you. An illuminated face is insight: you have found the truth of a matter.
Image
See also Appearance.
Imitation
Being imitated means you are setting an example and other people are looking up to you. Imitating them means you doubt your own choices, or you are trying to learn from someone you respect.
Immaculate Conception
An immaculate conception is a beginning that feels given rather than forced, a new awareness arriving from outside your usual plans.
Immigrant
When the immigrant is not you, the figure is a part of yourself that had no voice until now. Helping someone without papers is acceptance. The dream can also recall your own move, or a parent's.
Immobile
Being unable to move is the feeling of being trapped. It can also mean your attitudes and decisions have gone rigid.
See also Paralyzed.
Immolation
Watching someone burned marks a drastic change already underway. If you are the one consumed, drive and goals are eating the rest of your life; if someone else sets the fire, anger is burning inside you.
Immortal
Feeling immortal is long life, continuity, or fearlessness, sometimes a sense that you are above other people. It can also be reluctance to start over.
Immunity
Immunity means you feel hard to defeat. Negativity is not bringing you down.
Imp
An imp is chaos and a difficulty you are already living. It can also be a sour, repressed side of you.
Impale
Being impaled marks a sudden, forceful release of feeling you had locked down. Notice which body part is struck; that part names the area under pressure.
Impeach
An impeachment is the wish to challenge authority and state your position even when it is unpopular.
Implants
Breast implants are worry about your body and the sense that you do not measure up. They can also be a wish to feel more sexual.
Implements
See also Tools.
Implosion
An implosion is anger kept under control. You are not letting it all the way out.
Imposter
An imposter means the face you are wearing is borrowed. Watch for traits in the dream that do not belong to you.
Impotence
Impotence is fear of losing power, or of failing to measure up to a person or a task. It can also echo a real sexual difficulty.
Imprint
Making an imprint is the wish to leave a lasting mark. It is also a memory you are still holding; notice what kind of mark it is.
Imprisonment
Imprisonment is the feeling of being trapped at a limit. Old beliefs may be what keeps you from going forward.
In-Law
An in-law is a working relationship with many possible tones, and a prompt to yield a little. It can also pun on being careful and playing by the rules.
Inauguration
An inauguration is a step up, and public notice of what you have already accomplished.
Incense
Burning incense is spiritual study and a high, clear attention.
Incest
This dream is a distress signal. If it echoes something that really happened, tell someone you trust.
Incoherent
Being incoherent is extreme nerves or excitement. It can also mean you feel without authority when other people confront you, a confidence problem.
Income
Income is money worry, a common daytime concern showing up at night. It can also be feeling you are holding back instead of saying.
Incompetent
Incompetence, yours or someone else's, is your own insecurity. You feel unprepared or unsure of your skill.
Incredible Hulk
The Incredible Hulk says get a better hold on anger before buried feeling comes out violently. It can also ask for more confidence.
Incubator
An incubator is a need for stability, or a new idea being kept warm so it can grow. Being inside one means you acted too soon, or you are dodging adult duties.
Incubus
An incubus is a deep fear wearing a sexual shape. If the figure stays vague, you are dodging desire; if you can name it, some waking pressure is pinning you down.
Indecision
Indecision here matches indecision while awake: second-guessing, or a pull in two directions at once.
Independent
Independence is open possibility. The dream may also say stand up, decide for yourself, and think on your own.
India
India follows whatever that country already means to you. If you have never been there, it leans toward the determination to rise above a hard situation and defy expectations.
Indian
This figure asks you to trust instinct and stand on your own power. It can also point to honesty, dedication, and wisdom.
Indifferent
Acting indifferent means you are hiding how much you care. Someone indifferent toward you leaves you unsure of their intentions.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a problem that will not settle, often a decision you already doubt.
Indigo
Indigo suggests you are using someone else's effort for your own gain.
Infant
An infant is a brand-new project, full of possibility.
See also Baby.
Infants
Infants are new work just starting, and the potential still folded inside it.
Infection
An infection is a negative thought you have taken in. Where it sits on the body names the area of life involved.
Infertile
Infertility is creativity that will not take, a plan that is not working. It can also reflect a real struggle to conceive.
Infestation
An infestation is a small problem ignored until it became huge. It can also mean your private life feels overrun.
Infidelity
Infidelity, yours or someone else's, is fear of being left, or a bond that feels too tight and leaves you unsatisfied. Guilt about a sexual tie may be part of it.
See also Adultery.
Infinity
The infinity sign is time and a long span. It can also be wealth, or the number 8.
Inflatable Mattress
An inflatable mattress is a temporary situation or a bond you do not mean to keep. Pumping one up means you are over-investing in a one-sided relationship; doing it in a single breath means the ambition is bigger than you can carry.
Inflate
Inflating something is growing awareness and knowledge. If your body is what swells, the ego is what has swollen.
Information Booth
An information booth means you want counsel and are comparing your options. It can also be a message from deeper in you.
Infringement
This image is about crossing into work, credit, or words that belong to someone else.
Inhaling
A long inhale is a wish you are trying to draw in and make real.
Inheritance
An inheritance is opportunity already available to you. It can also mean you usually get your way without much struggle.
Initials
Initials can pun on a phrase or name a person who shares those letters. Read them as a clue.
Initiation
An initiation is a new path, a change of work, or a promotion.
Injection
A medical injection is a wish to grow mentally and to feel lifted while you heal. It can also say put more energy into daily life. Forced on you, it is unwelcome pressure and values you do not want.
See also Syringe.
Injury
An injury says tend old hurts and slow down. Where and how you were hurt adds the detail.
Ink
Ink is creativity and a new way of seeing. Spilled, it is a small stain or a secret about to show; bottles of it mean a solution will soon be obvious. It can also pun on getting a tattoo.
Inn
An inn is a transition, or a short escape from ordinary life. It can pun on being "in," accepted by the group. Abandoned, it means a piece of your identity is slipping.
Inner Tube
An inner tube is the self, and a feeling that you are not emotionally whole. Floating in one is emotional ups and downs.
Inquisition
Taking part in an inquisition is guilt and too much time spent on the past. Look forward.
Insanity
Insanity, yours or someone else's, is a retreat from reality, or a waking life that feels out of control. Right and wrong are hard to tell apart.
Inscription
An inscription is a message from deeper in you. Notice what it is written on.
Insect
Insects are small obstacles and annoyances, the sense of being bugged or under attack. They can also be precision and alertness, and wings mean your attention will not stay in one place.
Insecticide
Insecticide says clear out an anxiety, the way a medicine might. It can also be a small problem that has been blown up.
Inside
Being inside asks for time to look inward; the interior is what matters. It can also mean family issues at home need attention.
Inside Out
Clothes worn inside out are a refusal to match everyone else. Turning them that way is protection, a wish not to be hurt.
Insomnia
Insomnia means you are overwhelmed and need to rank your duties so the load is manageable.
Inspection
A house inspection is criticism of yourself or your body, and a prompt to take better care. A car inspection says review whether an aim is still worth chasing. A food inspection says check who in your circle actually supports you.
Instant Message
Receiving an instant message is an urgent note from deeper in you, and a sign of confidence. Sending one is your tie to friends. It can also pun on "I am," the fact of being.
Instructions
Reading instructions means you want advice on the next step. What they explain shows the waking issue: a table, for instance, is a wish to be more sociable; a gadget means you want life less complicated.
See also Directions.
Instruments
Musical instruments are expected pleasure, talent, and the ability to communicate. They can also mean you have been played. Surgical tools say plan the next move with precision.
Insulation
Insulation is protection and warmth. It can also say conserve your energy.
Insult
Insulting someone is insecurity about a bond, or anger you have only dared to say in sleep and still need to face while awake. Being insulted is low regard for yourself.
Insurance
Buying insurance is a lack of trust and fear of losing something that matters. It is also the need for security.
Intercom
An intercom means you are available when people need help, and alert to what is around you. A voice on it is a deeper message pointing at a solution.
Intercourse
See also Sex.
Interest
Earning interest means steady work will pay later, a bit of motivation. It can also pun on being interested in someone and wanting their favor.
Internet
The internet is the need to connect with a wider network of people. The sites you visit name the theme.
Interpreter
An interpreter means a problem you cannot understand alone. Ask for help.
Interrogation
Being interrogated means someone or something is squeezing energy and information out of you. You feel burdened.
Interrupt
Being interrupted means the day is not going smoothly. You feel sidetracked and unable to finish a point.
Intersection
An intersection is a decision you need to make before you can go forward.
Interstate
See also Highway.
Interview
An interview is anxiety about being judged, and dissatisfaction with some part of yourself.
Intestines
Intestines are compassion, and the twists of a life. They can also pun on guts and courage.
Intimacy
Intimacy here is sexual identity and something missing or unsatisfying in a close bond. The dream is working on that gap.
Intoxicated
Being intoxicated means you are losing control of a situation. It can also mean a new level of awareness.
See also Drunk.
Intravenous Drip
An intravenous drip is a time for healing, or an urgent message that has to be delivered.
Introduction
Being introduced means you want acceptance. Introducing someone else means you are acknowledging a part of yourself that had no voice.
Intruder
An intruder is guilt, or an unfamiliar thought breaking your peace. It can also be self-indulgence or sexual attention you do not want.
Invalid
An invalid is weakness and too much dependence on other people. The word can also pun on an argument that is not valid.
Invasion
An invasion says be more assertive. Speak, and do not let other people decide for you.
Inventor
An inventor is achievement and a wish to rise. Being one is your creative side and its ambitions.
Inventory
Taking inventory is abundance, or a count of what you need and what you already have.
Inversion Table
An inversion table says look at the matter from a completely different angle. It can also mean you want to line up with a particular group.
Investigator
See also Detective.
Investment
Making an investment is preparation for the future. The groundwork for success is already laid.
Invincible
Feeling invincible is power and confidence. It also warns that the confidence may be too large.
Invisible
Being invisible means you feel unnoticed in what matters to you. It can also be a wish to withdraw from ordinary life.
Invitation
An invitation says take in certain traits and join them to yourself.
Iodine
Iodine says pace yourself. Do not rush, and do not stall.
IPad
An iPad is modern connection and a wish to put something on display. What you do on it matches a waking activity, and the name can pun on your own place.
IPod
An iPod is the need for enjoyment and a break from demands, and a sense that you can choose your mood. A cracked screen means expression has turned unhealthy; losing it means old memories are ready to be released.
IQ Test
An IQ test is insecurity about how you are performing in some waking area. You feel you do not measure up.
Iris
An iris is wisdom, faith, courage, peace, and purity. It can also be the iris of the eye, and something you need to see.
Iron
Iron is harshness and conflict, or strength and endurance. Red-hot iron says act while the chance is open; rusty iron is disappointment and thin resources.
Ironing
Ironing is domestic order, or the dullness of routine, and a pun on pressing the creases out of daily life. Burning your hands is lost calm, illness, jealousy, or meddling in other people's affairs.
Irrigate
Irrigating plants is healing, and growth in feeling and spirit.
Irritation
Irritation means something will not sit right, and the sour feeling needs to be said instead of bottled. It often continues a mood you already had while awake.
Island
An island is ease and a need for solitude away from stress. Stranded, you are cut off, avoiding a problem, or stuck without a next step.
Israel
Going to Israel is personal spiritual unrest. You feel pulled in conflicting directions.
Itch
An itch is sexual urge, or a wish you have delayed for a long time.
See also Scratch.
Ivory
Ivory is purity, strength, and endurance.
Ivy
Ivy is long life, a close bond that can turn clingy, or an elite school. Withered, it is a broken engagement and sadness.