Devil
The devil in dreams often embodies not an external threat but an internal one — the part of you that knows exactly which flattery would work, which temptation feels most magnetic. Perhaps the dream isn't warning you away from evil so much as asking which voice inside you has grown dangerously persuasive.
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See what’s rising tonight →What the old dream-books say
These are the entries the historical dream-books record for devil, in their own words. They are period voices, not predictions, and they do not always agree with one another.
Gustavus Hindman Miller, 1901
For farmers to dream of the devil, denotes blasted crops and death among stock, also family sickness. Sporting people should heed this dream as a warning to be careful of their affairs, as they are likely to venture beyond the laws of their State. For a preacher, this dream is undeniable proof that he is over-zealous, and should forebear worshiping God by tongue-lashing his neighbor.
To dream of the devil as being a large, imposingly dressed person, wearing many sparkling jewels on his body and hands, trying to persuade you to enter his abode, warns you that unscrupulous persons are seeking your ruin by the most ingenious flattery. Young and innocent women, should seek the stronghold of friends after this dream, and avoid strange attentions, especially from married men. Women of low character, are likely to be robbed of jewels and money by seeming strangers.
Beware of associating with the devil, even in dreams. He is always the forerunner of despair. If you dream of being pursued by his majesty, you will fall into snares set for you by enemies in the guise of friends. To a lover, this denotes that he will be won away from his allegiance by a wanton.
Fontaine, 1862
To dream of this enemy to the human race, denotes that many dangers threaten you, all of which you will overcome if you carefully withstand all temptations to do evil; in love it forebodes loss of the affections; in trade, opposition; to dream you are pursued by an evil spirit, is also a bad omen.