Dream question: Why am I dreaming of tidal waves?

This was a dream question sent to me for answer: If you’d like a chance for your dream question to be answered find out more about the The Dream Download™ here. Topics like this feature in my book Answers In The Dark: Grief, Sleep and How Dreams Can Help You Heal.

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“Why have I suddenly started dreaming about tidal waves?“

In recent years, public awareness of tidal waves and tsunamis has grown, along with knowledge of the devastating consequences these events can have.  With continued awareness of environmental impact and climate change, it’s fair to say that you may have a tsunami dream. Especially if you are consciously aware in terms of our responsibilities to the planet and see this as a sign to take an active interest in a ‘greener’ lifestyle and promote this in a positive way.  

With increasing numbers of storms affecting our coast lines, it also makes sense that if you’ve suddenly started dreaming about tidal waves, that what’s happening in the news can be an influencing factor – what’s happening during the day, can influence what we dream at night.  However, it’s also possible there’s a deeper, symbolic connection. 

Waves – and water in dreams specifically – have traditionally symbolised emotions. So when we talk about them washing over us this can represent powerful feelings – “waves” of emotion – which have arrived unexpectedly – like tidal waves. It may be that when you have a ‘waves’ dream, you have been going through a difficult time and your emotions sneak up on you with occasional outbursts .

This dream could acknowledge that it’s time to stop suppressing certain feelings and acknowledge the powerful impact of events which have taken their toll.  (This is particularly common after bereavement, I have a whole chapter in Answers In The Dark about how our grief can go “underground”, especially if other people don’t respond helpfully).

The severity of the waves (especially in the case of a tsunami) will often suggest the need for these feelings to be brought out in the open and – like a tidal wave – there’s no stopping them.  With the help of a friend or a professional, you may be able to find a way to control them before they get the better of you – before another outburst, which you would much rather have avoided or controlled. Like a tsunami, recent events (or your actions as a result) may have been catastrophic in some way.

We might also describe people as a force of nature, i.e. not someone to be messed with. Does this describe you or someone you know and this is a healthy or unhealthy trait?

If you describe the sea as stormy, this may possibly relate to a relationship which has been unpredictable of late. If the tide is washing something or someone away, this can represent a fear of losing things or people which are important to you; the dream representing the fear (rather than the reality) of it happening. 

Gentle waves is often a good sign in dreams that all is – or will be – well. The calmness, serenity and stillness of the sea can reflect that life has been or will be about to calm down and become more comfortable.

Keeping a dream diary is a great way of spotting patterns in your dreaming. I offer a template in Answers In The Dark.

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Delphi is the author of Answers In The Dark: Grief, Sleep and How Dreams Can Help You Heal, out now on Amazon and Hive.  The Dreams Maven™ is part of the Helping You Sparkle™ portfolio.  You might also like Monday Mojo™.

© Delphi Ellis, updated 2023 – please note this content may also appear elsewhere as promotional material for Answers In The Dark.