The Dream Book: Symbols for Self Understanding

If you remember your dreams and want to know more about what they represent, there is no better book to help you unlock the secrets than Betty's Dream Book. I have owned the book for over ten years and recently bought a new copy since the first one was so worn. I've given away copies to others to share the wisdom of the book. Other dream books just have not resonated with me. Also, I highly recommend another book by her, "Be Your Own Guru."

For many years I rarely, almost never, dreamed. Then I learned that I had sleep apnea, and with treatment I suddenly started having dreams again. Most times I have no idea why I dream what I do, so I thought perhaps this book would provide some light on the matter. Perhaps I have grown too cynical to believe this sort of stuff, but I just don't think the interpretations are accurate or relative to any of my dreams.

The Dream Book brings me early morning calm on days the night has only set me into uncertainty and confusion. The symbols are clear and specific and easy to come to feelings of peace and knowing from reviewing. The symbols are not always the "answer" that the dreams are telling me, but the leads that the book provides are very helpful in bringing understanding to my
consciousness.

Dafydd Nicholas

I found this book many many years ago. Bought two or three as gifts and used my own copy almost daily, until I lent it to a colleague. I think she loved it so much she was unwilling to admit she still had it and have to give it back. I was so happy to find another one for myself as it has out of print for some time. Betty does the best job of all the dream interpretation books I've seen on having archetype dream symbols make sense and encourage you to look at what your own symbols or emotional charges are. A black cat might mean love from your childhood, where it might be sinister warnings to someone else. Betty's book has given me some of the most valuable tools I have to interpret what my own subconscious, spirit and dreams were trying to tell me.

"There are no bad dreams, just bad interpretations." Betty Bethards takes that approach to interpreting dreams. Dreams are our knowing place. Not to be feared, but to direct us. I love her approach. I have purchased this book at least 5 times for friends and family. They all love it too.

After reading Many reviews I thought this book was for me, the book is a waste of my money. I dream of fire it refers you to another word which refer you to another word you never get the real meaning of the dream. Garbage sorry I bought this book.

I was really looking forward to getting an interpretation to some of my dreams, mainly just for fun. Unfortunately, much of the book steers you towards what you should do in response to a dream rather than just interpreting where the dream may have come from.
When I set out to interpret my first dream, I couldn't find most of the components of the dream, so I gave up. I.e. - the index of symbols is very limited.
Also, the author avoids some of the more interesting dream contents, such as sex. Dreams about sex are described as your interest in "combining forces" with another person. I don't know about you, but when I dream about Cindy Crawford, it's not because I think she and I could start a business together.
I still need a good dream interpretation book.

I bought this book based on all the wonderful reviews that it had. Unfortunately, it is not at all what I expected. I find that the dream dictionary that this book has its very limited. To this day I have not been able to find anything there that relates to my dreams. I wish I had not purchased it, and I am really disappointed. This book has not been useful at all.

These symbols seem gleaned from literature. They don't reflect the meaning of my own dreams, which are highly subjective and personal. Unless one is committed to keeping a dream diary, interpretion of one's own dreams will prove difficult.

This is the one of the best dream interpretation books out there. In the beginning it shows you what kinds of dreams there are, how they work and also 3 free tools on self-understanding. The interpretations of the dream symbols make sense because they are all about you. For example, if you dreamt about your Grandmother the dream would not be about your Grandmother, but rather the wiser part of yourself! Get it? If you are interested in interpreting your dreams, go ahead and buy it!

I really enjoyed this book; especially the references to the levels we live on. There's this physical plane, but there are alot of other, unconscious levels. Dreams can help you heal, for example my husband recently had a dream about his estranged sister where she gave back the money she took after their mother passed away, and though he said it was ok, all was well, she insisted. The feeling was it was all a misunderstanding somehow and there was a great peace about it. He said it helped him in his moving on as the situation was really hard for him to grasp.
I myself was having so many dreams about being pregnant (yikers!) which I see is a metaphysical thing, not literal (thank goodness).
Dreams are so lovely; wouldn't it be nice if they actually came true?

I have had Betty Bethard's “The Dream Book,” on my bookshelf since it was first published in 1983. To this day, I still refer to it now and then for dream symbols, and have recommended the book to others. I believe her book is the best on dream interpretation, problem solving, and inspiration. I also had the opportunity to meet her and have a free mini reading once, and to then hear her lectures on three occasions. Her energy work and demonstrations were most inspirational. Her other book that I have, is “Sex and Psychic Energy,” which is also a interesting book. Happy to see that this book is still available in print and Kindle—and I will continue to recommend it.

I studied with Betty for years...

(and even had the priveledge of being called up on stage to teach her meditation at one workshop ... when I was much younger, and knew everything... an honor I'll always treasure.)

Welp, when you study with someone brilliant enough to make so many deep concepts transparent and easy to see... the young and stupid among us (yup, me) HAVE to go check out the more difficult routes.

That said, I've looked into, consulted, worked with, Gaggles of other dream books ... and always end up orbiting back to this one. period.

The construction of a dream that she teaches;

the use of your dreams;

and the use of them as insights for opening your own awareness. For stepping into a working awareness of both your own particular inner workings and your spirit's messages for you ... these simple (but not easy) tools, just simply fit.

It makes me think of Hawkings, how he has such a brilliant grasp of his physics, to be able to translate things that have been difficult for physisists to grasp ... into concepts and language that speaks to even the non-math public... Betty's grasp of the insights available in "Dream, Prayer and Meditation, that's all you need" is sweet and so clear as to feel simple.

I will agree with some of the other reviews ... if you're looking for a dictionary to "tell" you what the symbols "mean" ... for some sort of parlor entertainment or just to have a "western world psychologically approved version of the sparks of random thoughts that trigger mind-movies in the night"... pick a different book. Find one that brags the biggest number of "symbols" inside. You'll be happy and undisturbed. However, if you're actually curious about learning what messages your dreams may be offering... you're home ... here.

I've beaten the heck out of 1/2 a dozen copies of the book, in all its different iterations ... and this, the final edit, is the sweetest and best of the bunch.

Love to you, Betty ...

(oh... and Hey! I know you're lookin' out, time to time, from sking in your own Hawaiian paradise .. just wanted to say...

thanks. )

This is the perfect book for someone looking to understand and figure out their dreams, and why some themes are more popular than others when you dream.

Reading this book, you will discover that dreams have more meaning than you may initially realize.

We dream all the time, and many times while we go through the day our dreams come back to us, possibly triggered by events taking place in reality that spark the memory of what occurred last night while asleep.

The Dream Book touches upon these subjects, and shows you the significance and excitement that pertains to heavy and frequent dreaming.

What makes this book so great is the way the words are laid out for you to easily comprehend, and in a way that shows compassion and how there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

This is the kind of book I easily recommend to everyone.

The best dream book that ever existed about dreams. It works for any dream and it makes complete sense. Most dream books tell you what exactly a symbol means but Betty Bethards explains the way to go about addressing each symbol first before giving you the symbol meanings. There is an art and science behind it. I have been interpreting my dreams and others' dreams for years now. The most important principle is that the same symbol to different people can mean different things. Also, it teaches you that everything in your dream is about your perspective of it. Every dream is positive so we can use it to our advantage.

I frequently woke up recalling dreams. I'd look at them in wonderment, but could not comprehend their meaning. I'd ponder and move on into my day. Then I began reading this book. The author fist explained about the purpose of dreams, and how to record the dream details to look up, and them move toward interpretation. My dream world--and waking world--has become enriched by the insight gained from the insight gained from this guidebook to dreams.

Forget about every other dream book on the market. Mostly all they do is get a bunch of dream books, look up the symbols and then come up with a bland idea of what something means. Betty Bethards is very, very different! Betty is an incredible psychic and has written many books on the subject including Be Your own Guru. She is a psychic first, not a book writer. These interpretations go into the depth of your soul defining experiences you explain through your won dreams. Reading her interpretations at times will give you chills as you get that "aha" moment, realizing something occurring in your life was bothering you, but right beneath the surface. You did not realize it yet. I have practically got this book memorized. It is that good

I myself am a dream interpreter with my own dream interpreting site in which I encourage people to learn how to interpret their own dreams. This book is my #1 preference for people to consider first, because it is logical as well as spiritual. So many dream symbol books are hokey and just plain ridiculous, but this one simply makes sense and helps the dreamer better evaluate their dreams.
This book can help you gain better understanding of your subconscious mind's inner workings via dream interpretation so you can better follow your intuition to clear the cobwebs of confusion & uncertainty out of your life. I highly recommend this book and commend the author, Betty Bethards.

Forget about every other dream book on the market. Mostly all they do is get a bunch of dream books, look up the symbols and then come up with a bland idea of what something means. Betty Bethards is very, very different! Betty is an incredible psychic and has written many books on the subject including Be Your own Guru. She is a psychic first, not a book writer. These interpretations go into the depth of your soul defining experiences you explain through your won dreams. Reading her interpretations at times will give you chills as you get that "aha" moment, realizing something occurring in your life was bothering you, but right beneath the surface. You did not realize it yet. I have practically got this book memorized. It is that good

I myself am a dream interpreter with my own dream interpreting site in which I encourage people to learn how to interpret their own dreams. This book is my #1 preference for people to consider first, because it is logical as well as spiritual. So many dream symbol books are hokey and just plain ridiculous, but this one simply makes sense and helps the dreamer better evaluate their dreams.
This book can help you gain better understanding of your subconscious mind's inner workings via dream interpretation so you can better follow your intuition to clear the cobwebs of confusion & uncertainty out of your life. I highly recommend this book and commend the author, Betty Bethards.

Betty Bethards The Dream Book: Symbols for Self Understanding is great source for those who are dreamers. 'The Dream Book ' offers a complete explanation of what dreams are " your greatest tool for understanding yourself and your life", how to work with your dreams "learn to remember them, recognize their meaning and use them to problem solve", and gives you a list of dream symbols to help you interpret their meanings.
What sets Bethards's book apart from other authors of the same subject is that she has a pragmatic approach, it's not "airy-fairy" and doesn't offer "witch-doctor" translations of dream symbols and their interpretations. Her simple writing style makes it accessible to everyone who has interest, at any level, in understanding their dreams, and she provides tools to help you develop skills to learn your dreams, to seek explanations (or problem solving) through dreaming, interpret dreams and give them meaning. "You are your own final word in dream interpretation...if doesn't feel right, keep exploring", eventually you'll get it.

The Dream Book by Betty Bethards was the first book that was suggested to me for learning more of my future. It was ironic that I kept forgetting the name. Now, I rate it as the top book to get curious people to start their own adventure. I am now ordering my second copy as my first is in many pieces, worn so from much use. I prefer this Dream Book to all others that I have ever seen. It is simple and to the point. It is my opinion that Spirit will communicate to you with symbols. If you stick to one simple book of definitions, Spirit will be able to give a clearer message.
Thank You Ms Betty Bethards for being my first Guru.
Peace Gene Shafer

I was hoping to find a book with symbols / meanings to explain several of my own dreams. Though this book rarely touched any insight to my dreams. I was disappointed with the lack of helpful words to defined my dreams. Having to analysis and try to remember more of my dreams to find a 'word', that I could look up its meaning. Upon finding a similar word to define, the meaning/definition, it was then so far off from my dream that I was frustrated and having to recall even more symbols to try and clearly define my dreams. I am going to try "Dreamers Dictionary", and possibly receive more insight. Also looking for: everyone has freighting dreams, in any & all aspects. I should hope to find a book to help in their definitions as well. It is never always sunshine and flowers.

The best book I have found for dream interpretation is Betty Bethard's "Dream Book." It is also great for interpreting signs and omens that come into our life. It is universal. I am a Feng Shui consultatant and refer to it daily.
Betty Bethards was a great mystic, an excellent teacher and a compassionate person. There is a wonderful meditation at the back to the book, that can really change your life.
Everyone can benefit from this book.

This is the one of the best dream interpretation books out there. In the beginning it shows you what kinds of dreams there are, how they work and also 3 free tools on self-understanding. The interpretations of the dream symbols make sense because they are all about you. For example, if you dreamt about your Grandmother the dream would not be about your Grandmother, but rather the wiser part of yourself! Get it? If you are interested in interpreting your dreams, go ahead and buy it!

Most dream books it seems are often very negative. This book, in my humble opinion, is truly positive and offers a great amount of insight into ones self, providing you are willing to look in. Ms. Bethards has taught me that all my dreams are about me and there are no scarry dreams only some messages from the other side need to be louder than others because we often refuse to look in the mirror and face life from the inside out. This book has truly been a tool for me.