Dreams are always rich in symbolism, and nowhere is this more apparent than when creepy alligators appear. If you fall asleep and have a dream about an ancient-looking reptile lurking in a murky pool, your brain may be trying to communicate with you.

After all, symbolism is the language of the unconscious, according to clinical psychologist Nathan Brandon, PsyD. According to Bustle, “the unconscious mind uses symbols to express emotions, desires, and other feelings that are not otherwise acknowledged in your waking life.” So, what does it mean when you have alligator dreams? In this case, the symbol — an alligator — could represent how you feel about the people, places, and situations in your life.

Because everyone’s dreams are different, you’ll have to do some interpreting to figure out what your alligator dream means. Brandon recommends writing down the details of your nighttime adventure as soon as you wake up and thinking about how they apply to your life. According to Jackie Tassiello, ATR-BC, LCAT, ATCS, a licensed board-certified art therapist who helps clients investigate their dreams, it will also help to assess how you felt when you encountered the reptile.

“How you feel is critical to understanding the subjective meaning this dream has for you,” she explains to Bustle. “You’re going to get somewhere if you pick apart your dream through symbol and feeling.” Here are a few alligator dream interpretations to get you started. Brandon believes that seeing an alligator in a pond in your dream could represent a sense of insecurity in your waking life. Knowing that an alligator is nearby is enough to make anyone nervous, so consider what else is causing you stress. Is there anything that needs to be done?

Brandon believes that seeing an alligator half-submerged in water could represent a hidden desire that is beginning to surface. Because we’re talking about a threatening reptile, this “desire” may be one you’ve deemed too dangerous or risky to acknowledge, or it may be something that makes you feel intimidated.

What Does Swimming With Alligators Mean?

Assume you’re swimming in your dream when you notice an alligator in the water with you. Do you start thrashing around like most people? “Swimming with alligators could indicate that you are feeling threatened by something and are unsure how to react,” Brandon tells Bustle. This type of dream could also indicate that you will overcome a difficult situation “against all odds,” possibly without the assistance of others.

Brandon suggests that the gator could represent people whose value systems differ from your own. “Alligators can symbolise something that makes you feel as if your way of thinking and feeling is not welcome,” he explains.

What Does It Mean If An Alligator Attacks You?

Your alligator dream could also turn into a nightmare in which you are attacked by the animal. This could mean you’re dealing with a situation that’s working against you or dragging you down, just like an alligator.

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Holly Schiff, it could also be a sign that you need to leave a toxic situation. “If you are bitten by an alligator, your brain may be telling you to get away from whoever or whatever is causing you pain and distress, as it is literally and metaphorically beginning to consume you.”

However, not all alligator dreams are frightening or negative. If the alligator in your dream strikes unexpectedly, it could mean you’re waiting for the right moment to take advantage of an opportunity. “An alligator may be telling you to harness your power, insight, or instincts,” Tassiello says. “Or that you must have thick skin.”

Again, because the symbol of an alligator can vary depending on your personal associations with it, Tassiello suggests thinking about how this type of dream applies to your specific problems, questions, relationships, and goals. You might just find your answer after some digging and interpreting.