In dreams, fire is a potent symbol of the passion of strong emotion and burning love, as well as of new beginnings. It has many different and conflicting meanings, and interpretation is sometimes difficult. Standing in, or being in, flames can therefore suggest the burning out of old attitudes or experiences to make way for the new; but such a dream could also represent your fears of a new phase in life, your own personal suffering for your beliefs, or that you are consumed by destructive emotions, such as passion or envy. Sometimes interpretation is easier; for example, if a house is burning down or there is a forest fire, this suggests you are consumed by passion. The exact interpretation will depend on whether the fire is being controlled or not.
If fire figures in your dream, consider whether your emotions have got out of control. Are you being a hot head? Is your passion burning?
A controlled dream fire can also symbolize security. The fireplace or hearth is the heart of the home and the center of warmth, and to dream of it may show that you feel comfortable with yourself. Freud said that fire was a symbol of the libido and passion, and to dream of poking a fire represented sexual arousal. Jung, on the other hand, said that fire suggested intuition and psychological transformation. Just as the alchemists used fire to transform base metal into gold, so fire is a symbol for personal growth. It destroys the past but lights the way for the future. It is the eternal flame in the temple of the soul and from the fire the phoenix of hope arises. Baptism by fire signifies a new awareness of spiritual power and transformation. Sometimes fire can be a warning of illness. It is also associated with the astrological signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
If a fire is put out by water, this suggests physical energy being restrained by the cooler processes of thought. [1]