In 2024, I received a query from a reader relating about dreams and hornets. This lady had a dream which featured 3 butterflies, a hornet, fish, and her manager at her place of work.
She asked me my thoughts concerning the dream (which she describes as a nightmare), and I responded with my interpretation.
About 10 months later, the same lady updated me, and confirmed that she would be happy for me to use her dream on my website. In order to protect privacy, I’ll call the lady ‘Miss X’.
If you read this page to the end, further interpretation and feedback was provided, following the update from Miss X.
For background as to my philosophy in interpreting dreams, you may find my page about hornet dreams of interest.
"Regarding your dream interpretation about hornets. I would love to hear any insight you might have on my nightmare.
I feel it is a warning but would love some positive feedback or just your opinion.
My dream:
At first, there was a big insect tank with 3 butterflies hatching from their cocoon which I feel represent the holy trinity as well as major changes for the better as I have been a victim of narcissistic abuse and have only escaped recently.
However, in the next part of the dream a hornet came out and started attacking the beautiful, big, graceful butterflies. I felt fear and worry.
Then my manager from work was there by the tank. He loves fish in real life, and the tank holding the hornet and butterflies then started filling rapidly with water and random fish which I think drowned the insects.
I woke up confused and frightened.
I feel the butterflies represent a beautiful change but the rest of the dream I feel was a warning regarding people at work talking badly about me. (I have never felt comfortable there and am considering quitting).
Would love to hear your point of view. (Also we don't get hornets in Australia and I
haven't seen any recently on TV but I believe it was the bald face hornet you
mentioned in your article)."
- From Miss X
Interpretation
My response was as follows (additional provided
following further communication some time later):
“Dear Miss X
My thoughts about your dream (for your general
interest) were:
You have deep fears of being yourself at work, of opening up and revealing the
beautiful butterfly that keeps itself inside a protective cocoon.
Hornet is there to help you with your fears of being yourself, but this is why you were afraid of the hornet in your dream: because sometimes, the prospect of facing our fears is frightening!
If, for example, you were to face your fear of being yourself at work, and actually 'BE yourself at work', then deep down you fear that this may result in rejection and maybe other responses that you would feel are hurtful to you.
Are you afraid to
be yourself and of showing who you are, at work?
Your manager is an interesting appearance. I suspect he appeared in your
dream as a confirmation signal to you that this dream is indeed work related.
The tank filled with water and there were random fish.
From my own
experience, water is related to emotions and consciousness. The tank was
flooding. Perhaps you feel overwhelmed
by your work situation on an emotional level. Yet fish go with the current, the flow, and they are comfortable in the water.
Perhaps you could see this dream as an invitation to have the courage to be
your true self, and get comfortable with that.
If you think about all the ways in which you are a lovely butterfly, then how can anyone object to those qualities in you?
To support yourself
at this time, self-help from good books and helpful You Tube videos etc, and
kind people, may be a good thing.
I must state, however, that I am not an expert, psychologist, or career
advisor."
Update from Miss X:
“First I want to say thank you for taking your time to reply, I really
appreciate it and second I am so sorry for the very late reply.
Life has been quite challenging since I first reached but
things are getting better.
Third - you are more than welcome to use my dream for your website! So sorry it has taken this long!
Regarding my dream and your analysis.
I found your perspective really interesting. I didn't want to believe it at first but with much thought, time and synchronicities, I have come to agree that it is a very good perspective indeed and again I appreciate your reply.
I am definitely healing a massive rejection wound in life and at work and have
a massive fear of being myself full stop.
I am struggling with burnout so learning how to love myself through it, accept that I need to slow down and balance my life as best as I can.
I will let you know a better update when I have the capacity but you crossed my mind and I had to reply to say thank you before I forgot again!
Kind regards,"
- From Miss X
My response:
“Dear Miss X
I am so glad you found my interpretation interesting in the
end, and appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
The very fact that you have been open to synchronicities and
a new perspective, is (in my book) a great signal! I write this, as
some-one who has also been working through heaps of baggage over the years.
As an aside, I think the 3 butterflies relate to mind, body and spirit, since
being comfortable with who you are will certainly help you evolve into a
butterfly in those areas (I might add, you also get to free yourself – i.e. fly
out of the confines of a kind of ‘tank’!).
I believe that these beautiful, gracious butterflies are who
you really are (in mind, body, spirit), whether you believe it or not, and I
suspect you are in a process of morphing.
Here's something you could read to yourself, because it's
true:
"I am a child of God-Source. I am forever, absolutely eternally worthy and worthwhile, whatever shape I am in. My value as a Being is unconditional, immeasurable, limitless and immense and always IS SO. All I have to do is consider that all this COULD BE true, then remember that this REALLY IS true, and as such, treat myself accordingly, always".
If this statement brings up resistance of any kind, draw on the lesson and courage of the hornet, which we all have inside of us.
And go easy on yourself,
With best wishes.”
If you found this page helpful or interesting, I'd really be grateful if you would share it with others - if not this page, perhaps another, such as Gardening For Bees.
Thank you so much :) .