A Purse Dream Holds the Solution to a Difficult Decision

Can dreams help us make important decisions? Yes, when we learn how to interpret their symbolic language.

Here is an example: Alexandria was contemplating leaving her home and business for an extended period to take care of an elderly aunt, whom she loved very much.

It was a tough decision: On the one hand, her aunt was struggling both physically and emotionally, and it was hard to watch her suffer so much. On the other hand, Alexandria was already stressed out about work, and she knew if she left, she would feel the pressure of mounting business responsibilities even more. She was afraid she might even get sick, and that both she and her business would suffer.

Then she had a dream.

My purse was unzipped, revealing the wallet. Both the purse and wallet were left out in the open, vulnerable to fast-approaching thieves threatening to rob me.

After working on the dream, she felt it was telling her not to go. Here’s why:

Purses can be a symbol of agency or power, and wallets, since they carry identification cards, can be a symbol of identity.

So given that wallets might symbolize identity, Alexandria asked herself: “What part of myself am I identifying with in this situation?” And she realized it was the caretaker aspect of her personality—the part of her that would run to rescue others, without regard for her own well-being.

As she worked with this dream, she saw that over-identifying with this aspect of herself left her vulnerable to being robbed of the energy and power that she needed to take care of herself and her business.

So, in the end, she decided not to go, even though she was worried about her aunt.

And then something unexpected happened: Members of her aunt’s community started calling on her aunt. They were able to work together to take care of her needs until she was physically and emotionally out of the woods.

Alexandria didn’t have to run to the rescue after all.

And, what’s more, as the days wore on, it became increasingly clear to Alexandria that her energy levels were much lower than she thought. She did, indeed, need to stay close to home to tend to her life and herself. And her dream helped her make the necessary decision—before she was even ready to admit the truth about her own needs to herself.

What are your dreams trying to tell you? I can help you find out. Email thenightisjung@gmail.com to book a free 15-minute intro session or come to a free monthly women's dream circle to discover more about the art of interactive dreamwork.