Robbed

Dream: I’ve been having these stressful dreams about work. At my work, there are lights connected to electronic eyes that only turn on when there’s movement. In these dreams, for some reason the electronic eyes aren’t working and I can’t get the lights to come on. I’m stressed that the lights won’t come on, but I can’t stop to try to figure it out, because I have to handle customers, who are trying to shop (and steal) in the dark. I keep thinking that of course they’re going to steal if it’s dark and no one can see them. That’s where the dream always ends.

DreamsMaster: Dreams that throw obstacles in our way (such as lights that won’t turn on) often represent our ambivalence about achieving certain goals or continuing along a certain path in life. Since this recurring dream takes place at work, this is likely the area of your life where you may be experiencing mixed feelings.

The general theme of the recurring dream has to do with responsibility and ethics. You’re responsible for the darkness both literally and metaphorically – “of course they’re going to steal if it’s dark and no one can see them.” Symbolically, the external darkness in the dream could be an extension of some perceived internal darkness you see (or try not to see) in yourself.

Have you been feeling a sense of resentment at work, perhaps due to too much responsibility with too little reward? There’s a saying, sometimes we steal from others when we feel ripped off ourselves. Consider that maybe you need to “get the lights to come on” or gain clarity in your own life in order to feel a greater sense of control and satisfaction.

See also:

• More tips on dream interpretation
• Dreams and problem-solving
• Dreams resources