Dreaming Lens: Were you inside a closet? Were you locked in the closet? Were you contemplating going into the closet? Were you looking for something inside a closet? Was the closet empty or filled to the brim with stuff?
Personal Focus: A closet is a place used for storage. The items found in a closet usually fall into one of three categories: frequently used items kept out of sight for the sake of organization, things stored for later use, and forgotten objects that we continue to hold on to even though they have lost their purpose. A dream that features a closet as a primary image or location may need to be considered through one of these themes.
Many objects found in a dream closet connect to shame. The level of this will correspond to how hidden something is and/or how much fear there is around it. Keep in mind, however, that a closet is also a storage space where we file away things we no longer need on a regular basis. There may be old thoughts, feelings, or ways of being that need to be recognized and discarded in order to make room for new growth that is on the horizon.
The phrase “in the closet” has come to be linked almost exclusively to an individual who is hiding their homosexuality. However, in a dream, this can refer to any hidden sides of the Self. What you discover in a closet should be viewed through the focus of something you are hiding from or not wanting to face. If it is a person you find, use the Character Aspect technique to explore what part of your personality you have been neglecting. If what you find in there is an object, the same meaning applies based on the interpretation you give it.
The type of closet has meaning. A linen closet may connect to feelings of comfort or protection whereas a janitorial closet might relate to the need for a major mental cleanup. An empty closet may be indicating the need to abandon a current course of action or situation in your life—there may be things you need to store away for the time being and return to at a future date. A full or overstuffed closet may point to avoidance issues that need attention.