Wind, Air

The wind represents spiritual power or sacred breath, pneuma. The Holy Spirit can fill a place like a wind. When spirits pass by, it may be felt as a cold breeze, and ghosts are often associated with the wind. Both Hermes and Odin are wind gods.

A strong wind or storm is traditionally an expression of Ruach Elohim, the Spirit or breath of God, or, alternatively, “the force of life and nature.”

The Father as an archetypal image (mind, spirit) is linked to the wind, just as the Mother is associated with water. When God's Spirit sweeps over the waters, the world is created—the union of opposites giving rise to a third element.

In many languages, the words for wind and spirit share the same root, as in the Latin spiritus for spirit and spirare for to breathe; or the Greek animus for spirit and anemos for wind. Air is the element of spirits and souls, often depicted as birds.

Walking against the wind in a dream may indicate going against an inner, possibly spiritual, or even the Self’s will. Conversely, having the wind at your back likely means you are following a “higher power’s” intent, and so on.

In less dramatic contexts, wind in dreams may reflect feeling like we are “working against the wind” or “sailing with the wind” in some aspect of life. Wind and storms may simply symbolize difficulties we are experiencing. (See also Weather)

Air  

Anything related to thought or the mind is associated with air. The word spiritus means breath. Animus (mind) means wind. Pneuma means both wind and spirit. Thus, birds often symbolize thoughts, inspirations, enthusiasm, and anything that is light or uplifting.

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