Bath Time.

[Strainj1]

Hi everyone, I'm a new member, this is my first post. Glad to be here. I had a dream last night that I can't help but feel must be symbolic somehow. Here it is. ---------------- I got into a big bath, holding my (small) pet dog, so I could give her a bath. She hates baths, so I was holding her, keeping her head above water, telling her she was a good girl. The plan changed and it turns out the guy who runs the gym (that my younger brother goes to), who I went to school with, was giving my dog the bath now, and I just had to hold her. And then it wasn’t my dog anymore, it was my brother. (he’s 12 years younger than me, and I’m like a father figure to him). So the guy who runs the gym was now washing my brother’s hair while I had to hold him, and keep his head afloat. For some reason he couldn’t hold himself up properly (like he was paraplegic or something?) As I held him in the water I felt very protected by him. (even though he’s only 17 he’s much larger than I am) ---------------- Looking forward to your replies!

[warriorof]

Welcome to the forum, Strainj1, One possible interpretation goes like this: the bath tub may represent a need for cleansing. The dog you were holding represents your desire to protect others. The dog may also represent your vulnerabilities, so you are protecting it from the water. By having the gym guy give the dog a bath may represent that you feel another person is taking over your protective role. The dog became your brother, meaning that the whatever your brother represents to you, it is being taken care of by the gym guy. (For example, if the gym guy is friendly and he's washing your brother, who may be irresponsible, it means you can take care of irresponsibility with friendliness.) You holding your brothers head may mean you have to keep his head above water. Your subconscious may be rationalizing that you have to take care of your brother, who may be in a situation he can't handle, for example. Basically, I think this dream is trying to tell you that your brother is important to you, and you feel the need to protect him. And despite the fact he may be bigger and stronger than you feel that you, you, and nobody else - however strong they may be - knows what's best for him. I'm sure there are other ways to interpret this, this is but one of many versions.

[Strainj1]

Thanks warriorof. That's probably quite accurate. He's in his last year of high school this year, and leaving (my mum's) home next year, and I am a little concerned how he's going to fare in the real world, because he's still quite immature. And he doesn't really listen to my mother at all, so I've become a bit of a life-line for him for certainly the last few years, offering what wisdom I can without getting too preachy.... Anyway, you're probably right, it's probably just my subconscious dealing with the upcoming change.. Thanks again.