What Do Voodoo Dreams Mean?

Voodoo is widely seen in the West as a dark symbol of danger, manipulation, and control. That’s because it’s commonly associated with black magic rituals involving the casting of curses, hexes and spells, and pushing pins into voodoo dolls for the benefit of those seeking justice and revenge.

Heavy stuff, right? Naturally if you dream about some kind of voodoo ritual, you’re bound to have fears and concerns. How is it that this mysterious and controversial theme has come to reside in your subconscious?

Let’s put some misconceptions to rest right away. First of all, relax! This dream doesn’t mean you’ve been possessed by evil spirits! It’s actually likely to be a reflection of your fears and vulnerabilities. According to the experts at Dreamsopedia, when an aspect of voodoo appears in a dream it signifies the “primitive and instinctual aspect of yourself.”

Here we examine voodoo dreams and hopefully put your mind at rest if you’ve ever experienced this disturbing dream.

The dream:

It starts with a single drum. Boom, bam, boom, bam. Then more and more join the slow steady rhythm until it’s so loud your whole body shakes. You’re sat cross-legged on the dusty porch of an old wooden building deep in the Louisiana countryside. A circle of worshippers surrounds you, all playing home-made drums, shakers or musical instruments.

The night sky is illuminated by a blood-red full moon. And, as the communal rhythm gathers in tempo and intensity, the participants in this voodoo ritual start dancing and chanting. An ancient looking voodoo priest dressed in white robes steps up to you, staring right into your eyes. You’ve never been so frightened. What’s going to happen now? What are you even doing here?

Then the sound of your alarm clock wakes you up. You’re safely tucked up in bed. It was only a dream. But what on earth could it mean?

Common meanings behind voodoo dreams

There are all sorts of different kinds of voodoo dreams. The variations of this dream include clear depictions of possible events and those which may be seen to provide you with guidance. Your dream might include a message for your life or you may see yourself making a choice that relates to a choice you need to make in reality. Here we explore more precise meanings of each of these variations.

1. Dreaming of someone doing voodoo on you

It’s the stuff of nightmares. A dream where you’re the victim of someone casting a terrible curse, or spell that causes you great suffering. If you dream of somebody you may know doing some kind of voodoo magic on you, it suggests they want to control you and are willing to harm you. It could also mean your life is being controlled by other people’s wishes.

According to Dream Meaning, if you have this dream it can indicate you’re in a toxic relationship and should take action to protect yourself from it.

On the other hand, voodoo can also have positive connotations depending on the type of vision you experienced. A happy vision revolving around healing voodoo magic could refer to getting a weight off your chest or exorcising a personal demon, says Dream Meaning.

2. Dreaming of voodoo dolls

Dreaming of using a voodoo doll to inflict pain on someone, or witnessing someone else handling one with evil intentions, means someone is trying to manipulate you to do what they want to further their interests, says Tell Me My Dream. Their dream experts suggest that this manipulative individual, “may try to infiltrate your social circle in an attempt to use your connections for professional advancement. This person may also drop subtle hints trying to make you open doors or opportunities, even though they lack the qualifications.”

3. Dreaming about a voodoo ritual

If you dream about witnessing a voodoo ritual you may be feeling that no one understands you, according to Dream About Meaning, “You to need make some major reevaluations of your goals and life path. Your dream signifies chaos and disagreements. Perhaps you are starting a new relationship, switching jobs or relocating.”

4. Dreaming about voodoo and women

If you’re having dreams about a voodoo priestess or another woman, it is said to represent an aspect of sentimentality and nostalgia from your subconscious. According to Dreamsopedia this dream means you are, “..looking for a break from your emotional journey. You feel helplessness in expressing your power and authority.” If you have this dream it could be time to take some decisive action.

Answering the dream:

Voodoo practitioners believe they have the power to control and manipulate human experience through magical interventions. So it should be no surprise to learn that this dream may be an expression of your subconscious highlighting your fears of the mystical and the mysteries of life. A voodoo dream suggests you’re unconsciously trying to ward off surrounding negative energy. So what’s the best response if you are experiencing such dreams? In two words, stay positive.

According to Dreamencyclopedia, “If you dream of voodoo then your dream is giving you the message to be mindful of your judgements, fears, resentments, or the desire to wish ill will upon someone, because what you send out will come back to you tenfold.”

Notable appearances in popular culture:

Voodoo has long been depicted in pop-culture as a caricature of voudon, an Afro-Caribbean religion with origins in Haiti. Blending elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, voodoo is often characterised by spirit possession and sorcery (Britannica). Originating among African diasporic communities, the religion has faced opposition from those who have depicted it as witchcraft and devil-worship. Over the years, Western culture has become fascinated by this mysterious tradition – portraying it in books and films as sensationalised horror. Modern folklore sees voodoo as something evil that can hurt us but many so-called voodoo practices are no more than Hollywood created mythology.

The more out there aspects of voudon, such as belief in zombies and animal sacrifice, have featured in countless television shows and films such as James Bond’s Live and Let Die. In fact, zombies are perfect example of how a religious element can be taken out of context and become a global cultural phenomenon.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “zombie” first appeared in English around 1810 in Robert Southey’s book “History of Brazil.” However, this “zombie” wasn’t the brain-eating monster of The Walking Dead, but a West African deity named Loa.