Dream oceans and seas represent the unconscious emotions, instincts or urges that are influencing your attitude, approach and reactions in waking life. Perhaps their most symbolic associations are with the unconscious mind, and with the ebb and flow of feelings that can sometimes build up into a tidal wave of emotion. The state of the sea in your dream is highly significant: a shallow sea suggests lack of emotion, a stormy sea suggests passion and a calm sea suggests peace.
The ocean and the sea are also a symbol of the feminine principle, so a dream of being overwhelmed by a wave may suggest that you are being smothered or dominated by a woman in your life, whilst calmly floating in the sea or surfing the waves suggests a good relationship with yourself, and perhaps with a woman.
If you are struggling against the tide, this is a sign that you are not making the progress you had anticipated, but that you are nonetheless gaining strength and wisdom from the struggle.
If a sea monster emerges from the depths, could this symbolize unconscious fear or even an aspect of yourself that is being repressed in waking life?
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