Paddle

A dream paddle depicts your efforts to get where you want to go by your own or someone else’s efforts. It can also mean your means of methods to manoeuvre in the area of emotions or life experience. See: Oar.

A paddle is also used in some work situations where stirring or mixing is concerned. So the dream would be about what you are mixing or stirring and your ability to handle the paddle.

In a boat without a paddle: It suggests you are ill equipped to deal with the situation you are in. A loss of motivation and being subject to external events to direct your life. So this might point to indecisiveness or lack of initiative.  Also it might indicate that you will travel without means to really make progress. Could mean paddling on your own, with only your own power, no help from others.

 Example: Then my father gets into a small row boat and I get in. He slowly and carefully goes over the wooden boundary. The motor gets caught. My father says “Uh-oh.” I say, “Don’t tell me uh-oh, when we’re in deep water.” We then get over the thing. Then I’m in a canal. An Indian guide is behind me paddling. He is reciting the legends of our people. I feel like I’m going home.

Example: It was a rare day, as believe it or not, it was not raining, the sun was shining, loch flat calm like a mirror, I was happily paddling along, felt as if I was floating in an in-between world as the sky and clouds  were reflected in the water. On my right side, I became aware of a shape skimming along side of me, only about 3 feet away. I was amazed to see that it was a buzzard; it was so close I could reach out and touch it, wing tips actually touching the water. It stared at me as it flew past, and then let out one of those high pitched ki noises they make, which made my whole body quiver, partly due to being startled by the noise. I am not sure what was actually going on, but it was a special moment, one that will always be with me, I most certainly felt blessed.

Example: Dreamt I was with L my son far out to sea on a small raft like boat. L was about three, and the boat was a flat canoe shaped thing about two feet wide and eight long. It was just above the water. It seemed secure apart from that, but water did sometimes roll over its surface. I could see no land, but felt sure I knew the direction and was paddling with my hands to go in that direction. I felt it would take a long time, but didn’t feel anxious about that. L was sat in front of me, also quite happy.

When trying to explore this dream a little, I felt it was about being afloat on the infinite ocean of life, and the small raft/boat was the rather flimsy attitudes or threshold that stands between me and that ocean. It didn’t seem to matter if I didn’t get anywhere by my efforts.

Idioms: Paddle ones own canoe; in a boat without a paddle.

Useful Questions and Hints:

Do I feel I am adrift in life, or in control of my life?

Can I find my way through currents and whirl of emotions and challenges?

See Martial Art of the Mind – Being in Control – Using Symbols to Change Life Problems – Talking to Inner Self