Have you ever considered interpreting your dreams? Listening more closely and looking deeper to understand the meaning behind all the strange things you see, feel, or smell in your dreams? I’ve probably spent countless hours thinking about my dreams—or at least the few minutes after waking up, when they’re still fresh in my mind. Looking at my dream patterns from a distance, I’ve noticed something interesting: there are times when my dreams feel more vivid and real. And this always seems to happen around the full moon.
Why do we dream?
First of all: everyone dreams. Only a very small number of people truly never remember their dreams, but dreaming happens to all of us. Dreams occur during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep. If we wake up during REM, we are much more likely to remember what we dreamt.
Dreams reflect our inner world. They help us process what’s happening in our lives—our thoughts, our emotions, and even the things we are not consciously aware of. Dreams go deeper than our waking mind and often work through what is stored subconsciously.
Why do we dream the things we dream?
Dreams mirror our desires, fears, unresolved topics, and memories that we may have consciously suppressed. Dream imagery is often unfiltered and therefore can appear intense or strange. But don’t worry—having vivid dreams doesn’t mean you’re losing your mind.
I personally rarely experience nightmares—except once when I had a high fever. Still, I’ve noticed that around the full moon, my dreams feel more real, and I remember them much more clearly. But why we dream what we dream is deeply personal. Only the dreamer can truly answer that question. Here’s how I personally like to explore my vivid, colorful dreams:
Dream Journaling
A regular journaling practice helps to clear the mind, release what’s stuck, and find answers to the questions that occupy us in daily life. Remembering—and later understanding—your dreams can be incredibly supportive.
Here is how I do it:
I keep a notebook and pen next to my bed so I can write down notes as soon as I wake up. Usually, I try not to move too quickly—if I do, the dream fades. So I stay still for a moment, replaying the fragments in my mind. Once I can recall most of it, I slowly sit up and write everything down. If there’s still time, I often go back to sleep afterwards.
Later that day—or even a day or two after—I take a few quiet minutes to read through my dream notes and my usual journaling. Sometimes pieces fall into place. Sometimes they don’t. But one thing I’ve learned over and over again is: don’t overthink it. The answers often reveal themselves much later, when you least expect it.
How do I understand the meaning of my dreams?
I like to observe my feelings and look beneath the surface of a dream. Some books help interpret symbols, but ultimately, each one of us thinks, feels, and remembers differently. We all have unique associations with colors, scents, places, and situations—based on our experiences and relationships. No one knows you better than you know yourself.
Once we identify the dream elements and the feelings connected with them, we can ask ourselves:
- What is this element associated with?
- What does it mean to me personally?
- When have I felt or seen something similar in my waking life?
- Why does it appear now?
- Does it play a role in my current life situation?
- Is there a connection I haven’t noticed before?
Step by step, we get closer to the meaning. Sometimes it’s clear, sometimes only partial. But one thing is certain: decoding dreams is an exciting journey into the unconscious. We uncover pieces of ourselves—we discover who we are.
Is there a connection between the full moon and our dreams?
There are many theories, and none of them are fully proven. But based on my personal experience, I absolutely dream more vividly and remember more around the full moon. The full moon symbolizes release—letting go of what no longer serves us. And this often aligns beautifully with the dreams I have during that time.
If you want to explore living in harmony with the moon’s cycle, feel free to join my Full and New Moon Gatherings.
