Dreams of Falling
Dream Interpretation

The Hidden Meaning of Dreams
by Craig Hamilton-Parker and illustrated by Steinar Lund

Many times, as I'm going to sleep, I dream that I am walking along the road and suddenly trip up and fall towards the pavement. I always wake up before I hit the ground. Why do I dream this?
J.H- London

Dreams about falling usually occur as you're "falling off" to sleep. They may be triggered by a drop in blood pressure, a movement of the fluid in the middle ear, or a limb dangling off the side of the bed.

Some psychologists believe that these are archaic memories from the time when we were tree-dwelling monkeys. The ape-men that survived their fall passed on their genes with the memory of the event. The dead ones didn't. And that's why so often you dream of falling but of never hitting the ground.

As a symbol, falling highlights a loss of emotional equilibrium or self-control. You may fear "letting go" in real life. Anxiety usually accompanies this dream. It may represent your insecurity, a lack of self-confidence, a fear of failure or an inability to cope with a situation. There could also be a literal interpretation. You may have noticed something unsafe- a loose stair rail, wobbly ladder or insecure window. Check it out. The dream may be a warning.

1. Am I over ambitious? Perhaps you have 'climbed above your station' and experiencing the 'pride before a fall'. You may have to lower your sights somewhat and set yourself more realistic goals.

2. Do I fear letting go? The dream may be urging you to stop resisting an impulse from the unconscious. The psychologist Strephon Kaplan-Williams suggests that you should relive the dream in your imagination and let the fall complete itself. In this way you find out what is frightening you. You 'get to the bottom' of the problem.

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