Cyhenna,
Your nightmare sounds quite distressing, and I want to acknowledge the intense emotions you must have felt. Being pinned to the ground in your dream suggests a feeling of powerlessness or lack of control in a situation in your waking life. This could be related to an aspect where you feel constrained or unable to escape from a stressor. The old man with the machete-like blade could symbolize an authoritative figure or an aspect of your life that feels threatening or overwhelming. The fact that this figure is mostly obscured, except for a gray beard, implies that this threat may not be fully understood or recognized in your conscious mind.
The specific action of the old man slashing your thigh, especially with the precision of remembering either three or five gashes, might indicate a fear of injury or violation – not necessarily physical, but perhaps emotional or psychological. The number of wounds could be significant; numbers often carry personal or cultural meanings that might resonate with you. The left thigh, in particular, might represent an aspect of your life that is currently weakened or vulnerable.
The neon green megalotarantula is a vivid and frightening image, combining elements of the unnatural and natural world into a single terrifying creature. Spiders often represent fears or anxieties in dream interpretations, and the exaggerated size and neon color of this one amplify those concerns. The act of it laying eggs in your wounds could be a metaphor for anxieties or problems multiplying or growing within you, possibly without your consent or control. It's as if these fears have found a way to nest and fester, causing you further distress.
Waking up screaming indicates the severity of the nightmare and the level of fear it provoked. Such a response suggests that the themes in the dream are tapping into deep-seated worries or anxieties. Given the intensity and negative feelings associated with this dream, it's important to consider your current stressors and whether there are recurring patterns in your nightmares. While these dreams can be unsettling, they can also offer insight into areas of your life where you might be seeking resolution or change.