Dreaming Lens: What was the nature of the obstacle in your dream? How did this obstacle keep you stuck? How dangerous was the obstacle? Were you able to free yourself? Was it you that was stuck or was it someone else? How did you feel about being blocked by the obstacle?
Personal Focus: This is one of the most frequent dream images and has a very literal meaning associated with it. Life is often experienced as a function of facing the obstacles that we must traverse to get from where we are to where we desire to be. This is a daily struggle. Dreams often help us balance out our sense of frustration and despair as we face this particular challenge that is an absolutely universal human experience.
There are two elements to consider when making an interpretation of a dream of this kind: the obstacle and the part of the body or type of movement that is being blocked. The more important of the two is how you are stuck. If the feet or legs are involved, it connects to how you are moving through your life. Feet guide us in the directions we choose, so if you cannot walk, your dream is reflecting an inability to make a new choice or find your footing firmly on the ground you desire. If the legs are more prominently blocked, then your direction might be clear, but your ability to move forward is being hindered.
If your arms are being impacted the most, such as with netting, webs, or ropes, than issues of capability are probably at play. If this is the case, there may be some area in your life where your effectiveness, strength, or creative power is what is being blocked. Some dreams of this nature involve obstacles to the face where something is blocking your ability to see, hear, or use your voice effectively. When this occurs, look to a situation in your life where you are not able to be as expressive as you need to be.
The other crucial element is what is causing the obstacle. Some obstacles that appear often in dreams include nets, quicksand, sticky floors, ground that opens up, and heavy legs or feet. If you can make an association to the stuff that is blocking you, add this to your interpretation. [1]
Traffic jams (See also: Car): Taking a direction perceived as free from trouble, only to find the way blocked for some unknown reason. Usually this pertains to external circumstances that you cannot control, but find frustrating.
Walls or barriers: If walls can talk, what are yours telling you? Is it too soon to move forward, or is the wall a kind of test to overcome? Also note that walls can symbolize limitations that are imposed by family, friends, job, or culture.
Fence: This reveals perceived class restrictions and prohibitions. Alternatively, it you’re sitting on the fence, by all means make up your mind! Falling off a fence speaks of taking on a project that you are simply incapable of handling considering your other responsibilities right now.
To avoid being the proverbial Humptv Dumpty, carefully balance your schedule and duties before taking on anything else.
Consider who or what is causing the barrier you see in your dream. What part of your nature provides the best tool to remove that obstruction (the rational, intuitive, or emotional self)?
Is the obstacle natural or human made? Natural obstacles represent something that would happen to anyone approaching this same situation.
For example, a barrier reef standing between you and an island indicates everyday problems. Simply navigate around them so that you can rest in a safe haven. Conversely, human-made obstacles symbolize manufactured problems or delays. Such obstacles can be self-originated or caused by external forces. [2]
The positive side of this symbol is that unknown obstacles are made clear and become conscious, which is the prerequisite to overcoming them.
The type of obstacle is important. [3]