Unlock the power of your dreams

Bestselling author and renowned dream expert Kelly Sullivan Walden decodes the dreams of four FIRST readers. Find the dream that rings a bell for you, then read on to tap into the transformative power of your subconscious

“I’m running in slow-mo”

DREAM: “I’m running from a dark figure that’s chasing me, but I feel like I’m moving through quicksand! I wake up in a cold sweat.” —Tiffany Payne, San Diego WHAT IT’S TELLING YOU: “Running dreams are transformative: They show us the part of ourselves we’re avoiding. To make the most of this dream, imagine yourself standing still, surrounded by a powerful light of protection. Try to pinpoint the aspect of yourself you’re running from: Anger? Insecurity? If you do this, you’ll find that there is value in the traits you thought were unappealing. For example, your agitation might be confidence in disguise, pushing you out of your cubicle and toward a corner office. When you face these things, you’ll see how talented and powerful you truly are.”

Don’t remember your dreams?

Take a moment to notice which photo you’re drawn to the most—the one you choose resonates the strongest with your subconscious. Then read the analysis of the dream that goes with that image to reveal useful insight.

“‘I’m buying everything”

DREAM: “I’m at the grocery store, filling my cart with so much delicious food. I’m giddy and laughing as I walk down the aisles. This dream left me feeling happy all day.” —Diane Strong, Birmingham, VA

WHAT IT’S TELLING YOU: “Shopping with a full cart means you’re coming into a joyful place of fullness within and you’re aware of the cornucopia of blessings available to you. Shopping can also symbolize the new beliefs you are choosing to ‘buy into.’ Ask yourself, Does this situation (relationship, job, gym, friendship) energize me? If so, great. If not, remember you can return it. To get the most bang for your buck from this dream, I advise jotting down how you ‘spend’ your time and energy. Meditate on the relationships, creative ventures and ideologies that light you up and energize you, and focus on those to increase the fullness in your heart.”

“I’m floating!”

DREAM: “As I walk down a large staircase, I realize I’m walking on air! I float all the way down to the bottom and land gracefully.” —Sigrid Lee, Cleveland WHAT IT’S TELLING YOU: “What a lovely dream! Floating often means that you are being carried by the universe or a divine power. It’s also connected to the element of air, which symbolizes higher thoughts, divine intervention and being in touch with your deeper essence. A dream like this could truly awaken you to a more spiritually enriched, enlivened, empowered and renewed aspect of yourself. I suggest that you take a few minutes to contemplate the feeling of floating—that incredible lightness of being—especially when you’re facing a challenge. Remember the sensation of being carried, lifted and supported. This will help give you a fresh perspective on things, perhaps even a solution to an issue you’ve been struggling with or the confidence to feel worthy of the best that life has to offer.”

“My husband is cheating!”

DREAM: “I have this heart-wrenching dream that my husband is seeing another woman. It feels so real that I wake up devastated. What does it mean?”

—Janelle Ryan, Philadelphia

WHAT IT’S TELLING YOU: “Dreams of cheating can sometimes be precognitive or point toward an imbalance in your relationship, but usually they’re symbolic of what’s happening within you. From this perspective, your husband represents the masculine, demonstrative aspect of yourself and the ‘other woman’ represents an aspect of your sensual, feminine self that you haven’t met yet or have forgotten about. This dream might be a message to vow not to ‘cheat’ yourself out of opportunities to bolster your self-confidence. As you embark on the path of self-discovery, resolve to no longer let yourself be the ‘other woman’ on the back burner in your own life.”