One of the most common requests for dream interpretation I receive comes from women with dreams of pregnancy. Some are terrified that this is a dream of prophecy, some are hopeful of the same. So what does dreaming of pregnancy mean? Is it an omen of literal conception?

It is entirely possible to have dreams that are prophetic announcements of a literal pregnancy. The Biblical tale of the Annunciation as told by Luke is a great example of this. However, we don't all have to be giving birth to the Christ to discover we are pregnant via a dream. Hormones may kick in or the all-knowing unconscious may make us aware of what is going on in our bodies via a dream well before we see the evidence in waking life's blue line on a store bought strip.

As possible as a pregnancy prophecy may be, usually the meaning of these dreams is not found in a literal event. This should not however, lessen the impact or meaning of the dream as pregnancy dreams are extremely potent. They are telling us that something important is coming; something life-altering is forming in our being. When we think of pregnancy in symbolic terms the dream is much easier to decipher.

As always, question your dream noticing the finer details. How far along are you? Are you showing? Are you close to delivery? Are you actually giving birth? If you've delivered, are you taking care of the child?

If you are not showing, but know you are pregnant, think of this symbolically and ask yourself if there is some idea that you've conceived but are not 'showing' to the world? Is there something hidden inside you, waiting to be noticed, waiting to be given some attention and time to develop?

If you are close to delivery, this usually means that something you've been planning or thinking about is close to materializing in the waking world.

If you are giving birth, think about what happens when a woman gives birth: there is pain, followed by new life. In this case, this could indicate something in your life that will be painful to deal with but will ultimately give you great joy. Or it could mean that there is something you want to bring into the world which will be as life changing as giving birth. Whatever it is, the good news is that it is a natural event, something spontaneous and filled with life.

If you have already given birth, are you taking care of what you brought into the world or has it been abandoned? Look at your life and see if there is something that needs some nurturing, some part of yourself that means a lot to you, but you haven't been taking care of--a project, a relationship, anything. Ask yourself why this isn't being addressed, ask yourself what is more important that your own creation.

Another type of pregnancy dream involves abortion or miscarriage. These dreams all point to something being unfulfilled--a wish, a hope, a desire or even a special project. Dreams of unfulfilled pregnancy are pleas from our psyche to look at what we want to bring into the world and examine why we aren't doing it.

Pregnancy dreams, like real life pregnancies are harbingers of change, creativity, and new life being brought into the world. Treat your life as you would treat yourself if you were pregnant and wait for the miracle you're already creating to manifest in your waking world!

Until next time, sleep well and dream out loud!

*~Aisling Ireland~* is an ordained Spiritual Counselor providing dream interpretation and Tarot readings. To make an appointment check out her website at: web.mac.com/aisling.ireland

Two of my favorite reference books are the two below by Barbara Walker. Both have interesting information about god/desses, mythology, and symbols. I use both frequently to help interpret symbols in my own dreams!