Are you among those who’re looking for a meaning behind those visitation dreams? Everyone, at least once in their life, comes across a vision or a dream where they see their loved ones visiting them after death.
Well, then you must know that Visitation dreams are the kind of dreams where you communicate with someone who has passed away. This someone could be a person who used to occupy a special place in your heart.
It could be a friend, family member, or a loved one. In some cases, they could also be an acquaintance or someone who wasn’t dear to you. Occasionally, it could even be an animal too.
Such dreams tend to be unsettling for the dreamer, and so they may wake up feeling confused or frightened. However, it must be noted that these kinds of dreams are not unusual and occur to many people.
So, in this article, let us discuss various different types of visitation dreams and what they could mean for the dreamer.
General Interpretations Of Having A Visitation Dream –
Having a dream about a deceased person can mean various things. They could be interpreted from a bunch of different angles. Context is important here as the interpretations depend on the person’s perspective and a variety of individual circumstances.
The connotation of a visitation dream could be interpreted from a religious standpoint, which is concerned with aspects like the last rites of a person. Interpretations from a spiritual standpoint might imply that the person is trying to communicate with you.
Finally, people could have what is referred to as a ‘release dream.’ These are not similar to visitation dreams but follow a similar theme. Let us explore each one of these interpretations in a little more detail:
1. A Religious Perspective –
If there is something related to religion in your dream, it could imply that the concerned person has not found peace.
Some religious texts speak about special rituals that are required to be performed to bring peace to the departed spirit of the deceased. These dreams might be a little uncomfortable for the dreamer.
2. A Spiritual Perspective
If you find yourself communicating with the person in your dream, try to focus on what they’re saying. If they’re advising you and trying to make you understand something, it could mean you’re subconsciously feeling lost and are seeking guidance.
If you need closure, such a dream can be comforting and reassuring.
3. Release Dreams –
Release dreams, as mentioned, differ a bit from traditional visitation dreams. They are a way of subconsciously processing our emotions and working on letting go of past feelings and thoughts.
These kinds of dreams can be confusing and even intimidating. As with a lot of dreams, they don’t make a whole lot of sense. You could be performing many random tasks in the dream, such as flying to the moon or scaling a mountain.
If you have dreamt of a deceased person, it could be a release dream wherein the feelings in your heart are brought to your consciousness. You become more aware of your emotional state.
The Interpretations Of Dreams About Specific People In Your Life –
Different people have different impacts on your life. You are closer to some than others and have different levels of emotional bonding.
Thus, there can be a variety of implications depending on the person appearing in your dream. Here are a few people who tend to commonly appear in your visitation dreams and what each scenario could mean for you:
1. Dreams About Your Mother –
This could mean many things. The most logical implication would be that you miss your mom. If the dreamer is a mother herself, it could mean she’s facing an issue with her children and needs to act as a parent and needs some motherly advice.
She might be dreaming of her mother because she wants guidance and memories of how her mother dealt with her when she was younger. You must listen carefully and understand the signs and messages which your mother is attempting to send across.
2. Dreams About Your Deceased Father –
If you’re seeing and communicating with your deceased father, it could mean you need a strong figure in your life. You might need some guidance and protection because you feel vulnerable in real life.
Alternatively, you could just be missing him and missing the times you spent together. Once again, listen to what your dad is saying and pay attention. He might be delivering a message to warn you of some impending danger or a dangerous person.
3. Dreams About A Dead Grandmother –
Grandmothers tend to be protectors and people who provide tender love and comfort. If you see your deceased grandmother in your dream, it could mean you miss that warmth and desire to be with her again.
Grandmas are also wise people. They’ve seen a lot in life and might want to advise you. You might be going through a difficult patch in your life and seek some solace and comfort.
Listen to her. She might be providing some advice or might be warning you against something. It could be a piece of valuable information.
4. Dreams About A Dead Sister –
A sister is someone you would typically share many happy memories with. If she appears in your dream, it could mean you miss her and her company. You might subconsciously be reliving all the memories you shared together when you were younger.
Her appearance in your dream could be a way of her telling you that she misses you too. As with many appearances by loved ones in dreams, your sister might have a significant message for you, so pay attention and try to recall it.
She might be warning you against something or advising you about a certain issue.
5. Dreams About A Dead Brother –
Brothers can be partners in crime and are people with whom you share many memories throughout your life. If you dream about your brother who has recently passed away, it could mean you’re missing him and the times you spent together.
Brothers, especially elder brothers, can be pillars of support and loyalty. Seeing your brother in a dream could mean a way of him saying he’s got your back, and he’s there for you in your heart, even if he isn’t there in real life to hold your hand.
6. Dreams About A Dead Aunt –
An aunt can be someone with whom you’ve shared some happy times. You might have had a special relationship with your aunt on your mother’s or father’s side of the family. Her appearance in a dream might mean you’re missing her and wish to relive some of the fun times you had together.
Another possible interpretation of this kind of dream is that you might be facing a potential family issue in the future that will negatively affect your life. You might need to reflect on your prior relationship and past experiences to understand the implications more clearly.
7. Dreams About A Dead Uncle –
In many uncle-nephew/niece relationships, the uncle is a fun-loving individual with whom you spend some memorable times. An uncle appearing in your dream would probably mean you miss him and wish to spend time with him again.
You might be remembering those times, which would have made you so happy. Alternatively, it has been suggested that dreaming of your dead uncle might imply that you have problems with a male figure in your life.
This person might be someone with authority and power over you, like a boss or perhaps a dominating significant other. Either way, the dream could be a message that you need to confront certain issues in your relationship or get over some fears.
8. Dreams About A Dead Cousin –
A cousin can be a close companion. They may not be part of your immediate family but can be a friend to share memories with and speak to. Over time, the bond between you and your cousin might deepen.
If a cousin appears in your dream, you might still be coming to terms with their death. The anguish may not have washed over thoroughly.
It has been proposed that dreaming about your dead cousin might mean you’re trying to avoid a family issue that is affecting you personally. You must take this appearance as a message and try to face up to the problems directly.
9. Dreams About A Dead Wife –
A husband and a wife would undoubtedly share a very deep bond. If you dream about people like your wife who hold a special place in your heart, the dream would be intense and may affect you profoundly.
Seeing your wife in your dream most probably means you miss her and want her back. The dream could be a sign that she misses you in the afterlife and wants to be with you as well.
People can feel comfortable with the fact that a significant other would remain in one’s heart forever, even if she isn’t around in real life.
10. Dreams About A Dead Husband –
This is similar to dreaming about a dead wife. Both hold a special place in the heart of the significant other. The dreamer probably wishes for her husband’s company and misses him.
The dream could be a sign of your husband missing you as well. It must be noted that there could be other implications when dreaming of your significant other.
You might have had some unfinished business and might be subconsciously needing closure. Maybe there was something you wished to speak about before their demise.
A dream could also be the result of a guilty conscience. It all depends on the specific details and messages. Recalling the dream as much as possible is vital.
11. Dreams About A Dead Boyfriend Or Girlfriend –
Just like dreams about a spouse, dreams about a significant other would suggest you’re still in love with the person and miss him dearly. This might especially be the case if you’ve lost them recently.
The death of a girlfriend or boyfriend can tend to be a sudden event and can leave a hole in a person’s heart. Because of this, people may experience release dreams and may struggle to come to terms with their emotions.
It must be noted that if you’re dreaming about a boyfriend or girlfriend who has passed away a long time ago, then it might be a sign that you haven’t gotten over the person yet and are lingering.
The dream might indicate that you need closure and must move on with your life and/or relationship with someone else.
What Are The Common Signs Received By Dreamers?
In many visitation dreams, the deceased person hands the dreamer an item. This is usually symbolic of something and can have a certain implication for the dreamer.
Here are the most common items that are handed and what they could possibly mean:
1. Coins –
You might have heard of the custom in several cultures where people place coins in the eyes of those who have departed. They do this because they believe the spirits of the deceased will need money for ‘the other side’ in order to pay their way to safety.
If you’re handed a coin by a deceased person in a dream, it can imply that they’ve reached the other side safely and don’t want you to worry. Just like feathers, if you see a coin in special circumstances in real life, it has a similar implication.
2. Feathers –
Feathers generally have a special meaning in context to the departed, real life, and the realm of dreams. When you’re handed a feather in a dream or come across a feather, it’s a sign of closure and means the deceased person’s spirit is safe and content.
It’s an indication for you to move on with your life and stop dwelling on past thoughts and feelings. People have reported coming across a feather soon after someone in their lives has passed away.
3. Stones –
If you trip over a stone in a dream or see one in your dream, it’s a sign that your loved one is trying to warn you of something. Generally, they’re trying to warn you against people who might be trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
You might need to heed this and see people for what they really are. The message of the dream might extend beyond people. You might be going down the wrong path in life and really losing your way.
Such a dream might be a wake-up call to snap out of it and get back on the horse. The deceased person might also be gifting you a stone as an amulet.
Different hues of stones or beads can hold different meanings for different people. It is essential to recall the specific details of the dream as far as possible to make something of it.
4. Animals –
Animals in dreams have been viewed to be a source of energy. Spirits, in trying to connect with, might use animals as a conduit to express their thoughts. Many people think birds and other creatures might, in some form, contain the spirits of those who have departed.
This is true in real life, as well. If you happen to see a certain creature repeatedly (outside your house, for example), it might signify something. As always, pay attention to the details of your dreams for a clearer picture.
5. Flowers –
Flowers have always been associated with death in some ways. People place floral wreaths on the coffins of the departed, and garlands are often hung around the portraits of those who have passed away.
It could be a sign if you happen to receive a flower in your dream from your loved one. It generally is a positive sign and could mean the deceased person is trying to offer you a gift.
It might be time to visit the grave of your loved one and pay some respects. Take a few flowers along for good faith.
6. People –
As stated earlier, spirits of the departed can communicate with you via items and other media. People can be one of those. The people around you may be trying to tell you something.
If this follows a dream or is in the context of the deceased person, pay attention because it may be an essential message.
FAQs –
Can You Dream Of Someone Who’s Dead But Whom You Haven’t Seen Before?
Since dreams are so fuzzy, you may be sure that you have dreamed of someone you haven’t seen before. However, this is impossible. The brain is incapable of ‘creating’ a new face.
Whichever face you see in a dream has been seen by you at some point in your life, whether momentarily or regularly. The brain is good at forming estimations of objects and different concepts.
Even if you’ve just glanced at a person out of the corner of your eye, they may make a midnight appearance at some point in your life. This doesn’t mean that it would have any significance. However, the brain cannot conjure faces, whether dead or alive.
How Do I Know I Have A Visitation Dream?
Visitation dreams tend to have some defining characteristics that distinguish them from regular dreams.
1. People wake up feeling noticeably different and remarkably affected after having dreams of visitation.
2. It must be noted that such dreams are very vivid. It actually feels like a real experience. It probably wasn’t a visitation dream if you’re unsure about the experience. People just intuitively know they’ve been through something when they wake up.
3. The memories of visitation dreams tend to linger for longer periods. Regular dreams can be hard to recall even a few moments after waking up, while visitation dreams can stay for days, months, years, or even a lifetime.
4. The people or animals in visitation dreams tend to be healthy and happy. If you can recall clearly, there won’t be any negativity associated with them, and they won’t appear sick or injured, etc.
5. The communication with you will be very clear. It might be talking or some other form of connection, but it will be clear and precise. The chances are that you’ll recall this clearly.
6. In many cases, there will be some reason for their appearance. Many dreams tend to involve gibberish, but there will be some sort of significance in visitation dreams. It is up to the dreamer to recall and join the dots.
7. When people have awoken after a visitation dream, they have reported that they feel like the deceased subject of the dream is standing next to their bed. A strange sensation might overcome them. It might be love, uncertainty, realization, or in rare cases, sadness or fear.
Can I Will Myself Into Having A Visitation Dream?
The simple fact is that there is no fool-proof way to deliberately have a dream, visitation, or regular. People have tried various ways to induce dreams, such as guided meditation, drinking special teas, and using dream-recall strategies.
The truth is that there is no guarantee when you will have a visitation dream, if at all. People have often reported that they have visitation dreams when they least expect it and often come up with nothing when they try to dream.
It’s all about the subconscious. It is hard to say when some emotions pop up and float into the consciousness. Freud said that repressed emotions concerning a deceased loved one can surface from time to time and manifest in dreams, but it is hard to say when it will happen.
Conclusion
Visitation dreams might just be the most interesting category of dreams. People ask most questions about them, but the knowledge available about this topic is limited.
People are still not entirely sure why the departed make appearances in dreams and if there is some other significance to these events other than emotional turmoil.
We hope this article helped you realize that there is nothing unusual about these dreams and that you can try to understand a few of them better if you attempt to recall finer details. Remember, having a visitation dream is an experience in itself!
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