HERO / HEROINE

The hero or heroine is the person who has elected to undertake their own journey of exploration. They are able to consider options and decide the next move. They will overcome challenges, solve problems and, more often than not, rescue someone who is in distress. The focal point of myth, legend and fairy tale is, in most cases, the psychological growth of the hero and heroine; modern fantasies express many of the same themes as their more ancient precursors.

Whether heroes and heroines appear in modern or ancient garb, they represent the same impulses within the dreamer, such as an expression of bravery, ambition or adventure.

For example, Star Wars grips its audience not just because of its ground- breaking special effects, but because it also speaks to our unconscious mind. The themes in the film exhibit many of the same structures possessed by myths and fairy tales. Extraordinary things happen to ordinary people and tragedy is the catalyst which sets the story in motion. For example, in Star Wars, the turning point for the young Luke Skywalker is the devastation of his family home. This may reflect the circumstances of your waking life. For many people, psychological growth begins with a tragedy or change in circumstances. Allies join the hero, Luke, just as they do in classic myth, and in Jungian psychology this represents psychological energy and the wisdom of the unconscious. The fantasy adventure goes on to express a classic hero myth, giving Luke greater self-realization and psychological wholeness.

So if a hero figure appears in your dreams whether in the guise of Luke Skywalker, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, James Bond, Robin Hood or Lara Croft, they often symbolize your search or desire for psychological wholeness. These figures—if you can properly understand their appearance and intention—are all assisting in the process of individuation, helping you to find yourself.

A well-known desire for acceptance and validation, even if you are the hero or heroine yourself.

If you see a hero, it would indicate that you are hoping for help, but pettiness is involved. Adventuresome, craving for admiration, exaggerated and immature masculinity and femininity; but also vitality and the ability to succeed, similar to Hammer.

It may also mean the opposite—that you feel like a failure—or you must be in control of everything. Dreams about heroes belong usually to so-called “big dreams,” which take place in a person just prior to puberty, during midlife crisis, or before dying.

According to Jung, the hero is one of the important archetypes.

Dreams of a hero/heroine represent your higher self, your innate healing ability, and your mastery over any challenge you face. Perhaps you are exalting your natural genius to its fullest potential, going beyond the physical limitations of being human, and realizing that love can move mountains. This dream may be indicating your attachment to the role of rescuer or of needing to be rescued. Consider the feeling tone of this dream to discern the significance.

See Higher Self and Co-Dependant.