PLEASE don't answer if it's just to be a smart-aleck, thanks!
I had a dream (and I've had similar ones before) in which my family was clearing out a lot of old clutter and, way in the back of a dusty shelf, I found several hamster cages that had been stored away--but oh no! There were still hamsters in them! These poor hamsters had been so forgotten, they must've gone YEARS w/o food or water, and some were lying near death, although others seemed to have somehow managed to do okay, and were just a little feral. I felt so guilty, to have forgotten there were hamsters in the cages when I stored them away, and began desperately trying to save the ones I could and figuring out the kindest way to euthanize the ones near death. In only one cage were the hamsters long, long dead.
I've got to think that if this dream has any subconscious message, it has something to do with having forgotten something, or something I've neglected still hanging on, but... hamsters???
Anonymous2007-01-26T15:29:22Z
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Holy crap! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've often had dreams where I've got some pet that I forget to feed.
I hate to think what that might say about me, but if you're willing to admit it, I will too.
I've tried to analyze it myself, but I guess it creeps me out so much and I feel so bad about it that I was afraid to look into it.
Let's see what others have to say....
Maybe I'll be brave enough to give it some thought and will come back on Monday with an update.
For now, the pop psychology answer is: It would seem to indicate fear of forgetting something important. Or perhaps just a general anxiety. I'm a little OCD, but I can't say I spend an inordinate amount of time making lists and checking them twice. I take very good care of my pets, and I've never forgotten to feed them!
Those are some obvious answers, but they just don't resonate with me. Like I said, I'm not overly ocd so I don't have a waking fear of forgetting anything. I'm a good caretaker of my pets, so that's not it.
Hamsters as a family pet might symbolize the long forgotten factors that serve as a basis for family unity. It could have to do with a relationship between family members. The survival of the hamsters indicates that the relationship is strong. However, the abandonment of the hamsters point out to you the necessity to keep working on nurturing the relationship, even if at times such a task seems ungrateful(the hamsters going slightly feral). Or, it could be just a dream, with no ulterior motifs. It all depends on what hamsters mean personally to you, what kind of symbolic attachment your mind created between the pets and the psychological or emotional issues needed to be addressed. Hope that helps any.
this dream actually has to do with something that is hidden deep within the dreamer.......such as a talent that you once wanted to work at, or something that you wanted to achieve, maybe a dream or goal that meant so very much to you........but you stored it away, deep inside, where no light could get to it...you caged your dreams up, so to speak, stacking them up and not paying any attention to what you once held in high esteem or what you once felt of great value .....little by little it died....slowly...as seen with some of the hamster (the hamsters represent un-realized dreams or wishes, something that was/is important to you, ....you thought about them (these goals and dreams) less and less, however, and they died........the hamsters that are still hanging on, and the fact that in your dreams you finally "found" (by your own determination..clearing out "your clutter" moving aside the fear and procrastination no long, which might have stopped you from persuing your goals and dreams..you were in many ways...still looking for them all along)...these hamsters are a great omen......it means that there is still spark (of the dream) there........that you will start to find this dream again (if you have not, already started).......and that with hard work and determination.....it can be realized......this can be anything from school to a great job to a wonderful relationship.....anything that is important to you.......... the hamsters that you are euthanizing are dreams that were not meant to be.........the ones that you are trying to save, are the ones that have the potential to be realized. remember that on the opposite side of death, is rebirth.....which is really what this dream is all about.......rebirth and second chances... good luck, make the most of your life, start to live your dreams
I agree it may have something to do with something you have not yet finished. Our dreams come to us from our state of mind and our own subliminal messages. When I am really busy and stressed out I dream and talk in my sleep like crazy. I have a lot of tension from the day built up and this way my body can vent and let off steam. I don't feel exhausted when I wake up either. Sometimes I sit and think about a dream I remember and try to figure out what it's trying to tell me. Listen to your dreams and figure out what you need to finish, what is left hanging that you may have forgotten completely about. I have had a dream similar to yours and I can say I probably do have a couple projects that need to be finished yet...they are on my mind.
As far as I understand it dreaming is a byproduct of your brain reinforcing new information from the past day and basically doing maintenance dreams are interesting but I would put minimal weight on interpretations from other people or books. It's fun sort of like astrology but not much more...