I was swimming in a pool at a distant relative's house and they had cacti growing just outside the edge of the pool. I touched the cacti and they splintered me all over my hands and feet. I remember my father reprimanding me for touching the cacti, but it wasn't in a condescending way. It seemed as though he was concerned. Once the reality of the situation reached me, I realized the splinters did not hurt much. I quickly removed them from my hands, but got lazy and neglected to remove them from my feet.
Dreams about swimming often symbolize emotions and the state of your subconscious. In this context, swimming in a pool at a distant relative's house may suggest that you are navigating through your emotions in a somewhat controlled or familiar environment, yet one that feels distant or disconnected, possibly indicating a relationship with family that is not very close.
The presence of cacti, which are typically associated with survival and endurance, could represent something in your life that has a protective or defensive nature but might also cause discomfort or pain when approached or touched. The fact that you touched them, leading to splinters, may symbolize a situation or relationship that you have ventured into, despite knowing it could lead to some hurt or difficulty.
Your father’s non-condescending reprimand indicates perhaps a voice of reason or concern. This could reflect your own inner voice or your awareness of the risks involved in your actions. His concern suggests you might need to be cautious or thoughtful about certain choices or relationships.
The realization that the splinters didn’t hurt much could indicate a recognition that, while some risks lead to discomfort, they may not have significant consequences. The act of quickly removing them from your hands but neglecting your feet suggests you might be willing to address some of your issues but not all of them; perhaps there are underlying problems or challenges in your life that you are ignoring or not fully confronting.
Overall, this dream could be urging you to reflect on areas in your life where you may be taking risks or engaging in relationships that could cause you discomfort and to consider the importance of addressing both immediate and underlying issues. It also suggests a need for balance between risking emotional engagement and protecting yourself from potential pain.