Dreams about cars are a common dream theme at bedtime. If you or a loved one have been covering this ground at night, you may have questions about what it all might mean. As part of a Huffington Post series on dreams and their meanings, we spoke to Vocata George, Ph.D., a Jungian analyst from the the C.G. Jung Education Center of Cleveland, to get expert advice about the meanings of your or your loved one’s automobile dreams. Note: While dream analysis is highly subjective, this post might provide some insight into why this dream occurred or is recurring.
What do dreams about cars mean?"Dreams about automobiles can be symbolic in several ways," says George, who encourages people to think of the car as a reflection of themselves. "Automobiles can also be symbolic of the journey of your life," she adds.
What can I learn about myself from dreaming about cars?According to George, what you can learn about automobile dreams depends on a number of factors: Who is driving in the dream? Are you driving, or are you a passenger? This information could point to a part of your waking life that you need to focus on -- in particular, how you treat yourself or how you let others treat you.
Are there any tricks to avoiding or inducing dreams about cars?"Recurring dreams are often trying to tell you something and will continue until you have learned the lesson," says George. "The self knows more than you." Thinking about cars, or a previous dream involving automobiles, may or may not encourage a similar dream. Your self knows best how to present information to your subconscious.
Beyond analysis, what cultural symbolism can be found in dreams about cars?"Dreams about an automobile driving too fast or recklessly can be seen as a warning. Think about what the automobile is showing you and try to relate it to your life," George says. Flashy cars, red cars, and fast cars can be seen as a cultural status symbol related to power.
Who tends to have dreams about cars most frequently?"Anyone can dream about automobiles," she says. "However, since the self knows what images individuals can understand, those who are drawn to cars may be more prone to see automobiles in their dreams."
How would you start to analyze a dream about an automobile?"Jungian dream analysis begins by looking at the whole picture. One dream about automobiles will not stand alone in analysis," George says. However, it can be a starting point to get to an issue in your life that you need to deal with. Start by examining the details of the automobile and feelings surrounding the dream. "Then you can relate it to things going on in your life," she adds.
Vocata George earned her Ph.D. at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, Calif. She then pursued post-Ph.D. inter-regional training in order to become a Jungian Analyst. She is now a Jungian Analyst at the C.G. Jung Education Center of Cleveland, a center that remains dedicated to the evolution of consciousness and the pursuit of meaning in life through psychological insight and creative expression.