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Discover the hidden meanings behind ghost dreams, from unresolved emotions to spiritual messages, and uncover what your subconscious might be trying to tell you.
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Last Modified 13 February 2025 First Added 13 December 2021
Seeing a ghost in your dreams can evoke a sense of worry and concern, especially if it wakes you up in the middle of the night, but don’t worry: you’re not alone or going crazy. There are many reasons you may be seeing ghosts in your dreams. Use this article to find the answer and go to sleep feeling at ease.
Many people believe a ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that can appear to the living. Ghosts have been described as everything from wispy shapes to realistic forms, and seeing or being chased by a ghost is among the most common dreams. As part of our series of articles about dream interpretation, we explore ghost dreams and how this type of dream symbolises unfinished business.
Reports of seeing ghosts, hearing voices and being possessed by demonic spirits are common in cultures across the world. The ancient texts of the great religions describe voices that speak from the air, visions that others can’t see and dead people who walk among the living. They’re extraordinary stories, but the events they describe are deeply human, so it’s unsurprising that ghosts, demons and evil spirits have made their way into popular culture and are common themes in many people’s dreams.
The meanings of these dreams can be as varied as the dreams themselves, but the overriding theme is that some unfinished business is haunting you. Some psychics believe you can be visited by an actual ghost or spirit, particularly if you find the dream experience more vivid and real than usual.
Dreams about ghosts vary widely. You may dream of a ghost attacking you, or perhaps you’re being chased by a ghost or evil spirits. A ghost might talk to you, and it could be a friend or relative – or someone you don’t know. It could appear around your home as unidentifiable light or a white ghost, like those depicted in cartoons. In some dreams, the ghost could even be you!
We look at some of the more precise meanings of specific ghost dreams below:
Is a ghost attacking you in your dream? This can mean you feel overwhelmed by situations or people in your life – and out of control.
Dreaming about being attacked by a ghost can also symbolise your fear of the unknown. If you’re someone who often worries about what is yet to happen, this can be a common dream. You tend to feel anxious and have a sense of impending doom, as though something bad is about to happen soon.
Ghost attack dreams represent your vulnerable emotional state. It might be time to deal with negative emotions head-on to feel more in control of your life.
Dreams about becoming a ghost suggest you’re feeling guilty or fearful of something in your past. You’re being challenged to listen to your inner voice and confront your emotions so you can deal with the issue that’s causing this dream.
Dreaming about an evil spirit that’s possessing or paralysing you? Chances are you’re experiencing sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis, also known as atonia, is a condition that affects one’s ability to move their body when falling asleep or trying to wake up. This can be extremely scary as it can affect your ability to speak.
Unfortunately, healthcare professionals aren’t sure about the direct causes of sleep paralysis or why it affects our bodies the way it does. If you are stuck in a state of paralysis, it can be frightening, but it’s important to try and remain calm as it should be over in a short period.
If this condition affects you often, there are certain ways you can try to combat it. Try sticking to a regular bedtime routine and developing healthy bedtime habits. For more tips, read our article on how to sleep better at night.
Encountering a ghostly reflection in a mirror often symbolises self-reflection and the confrontation of hidden aspects of oneself. The ghost in the mirror may represent suppressed emotions, unresolved issues, or parts of your identity that you have not fully acknowledged. Such a dream encourages introspection, urging you to face these hidden facets to achieve personal growth and self-acceptance.
Each ghost dream is unique and shaped by personal emotions, experiences, and beliefs. Whether your dream felt like a comforting visit or a chilling encounter, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what your subconscious might be trying to tell you.
So, what can you do if you’re experiencing ghost dreams? Dream expert Theresa Cheung says: ‘Dreaming about a ghost tends to refer to unfinished business you need to deal with because it is haunting you. If there’s ghost imagery in your dreams, try to dig deep and figure out if there are any loose ends that need tying up in your life that might be weighing on your subconscious.’
For many, dreaming of ghosts carries deep spiritual meaning. Some believe these dreams signify messages from the deceased—perhaps a loved one trying to offer comfort, guidance, or closure. Others see ghost dreams as interactions with spiritual guides, gently nudging the dreamer toward self-reflection or an unresolved aspect of their past.
In spiritual traditions, ghosts in dreams can represent energies lingering in your life. If the ghost feels familiar, it might symbolise memories, regrets, or unfinished business with someone who has passed. If the presence is unknown, it could reflect external influences—spiritual or emotional—impacting your subconscious.
Some interpret these dreams as an awakening of psychic intuition, a sign that you are becoming more sensitive to energies beyond the physical world. Others view them as a call to release past burdens, letting go of old wounds to move forward with clarity.
Ultimately, whether the ghost in your dream is a comforting presence or an unsettling one, the key is to reflect on what it might be trying to tell you. Is there something unresolved in your waking life? Do you need to confront the past before embracing the future?
You’re at home with a group of friends, and you all decide to head out. The five of you get into a friend’s car; then you realise you’ve forgotten your wallet and head back indoors to get it. As you head upstairs, you see a shadowy figure out of the corner of your eye, and a feeling of uneasiness washes over you. You turn to look, and it’s gone, so you grab your wallet and rush to get out of the front door. As you flick the last light switch, the house is plunged into darkness, and you can feel something on your back. Feeling scared now, you keep looking ahead and jog down the long front path towards your friends waiting in the car. Relieved, you climb into the passenger’s seat, and you’re smiling to yourself for getting spooked out for no reason when one of your friends asks: ‘What about your brother? Isn’t he coming with us?’
You answer: ‘What do you mean? He went to work early tonight, and he’s already gone.’
The next question they ask is: ‘So, who was walking behind you when you were leaving the house?’
You wake up with chills running down your spine, only to realise it was all just a dream.
Ghosts are a mainstay of popular culture, featuring in everything from horror films like Poltergeist and Sixth Sense to the cartoon Casper the Friendly Ghost and Charles Dickens’ classic novel A Christmas Carol. It’s no wonder they make it into our dreams.
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