As AuntyFlo suggests, the first step in figuring out why you're dreaming of war is to "consider the purpose" of it and what it could represent in your waking life. According to Dreaming and Sleeping, dreaming of war is a primarily "negative sign" and is commonly linked to experiences of stress or specific burdens. They can often warn you about a "period of hardship and troubles" that may lie ahead, giving you time to process them and figure out how to face them head-on. Dreaming about war is the subconscious preparing you to "fight these troubles with every power you have," according to Dreaming and Sleeping.

Dreaming of war can often be very specific, like dreaming about fighting without weapons or even being injured and killed. As Dreaming and Sleeping notes, this can signify feelings of unpreparedness and defeat. You may even dream about being at war with yourself, which can "symbolize your struggles in real life."