Stuart,
Reflecting on your dream, sitting at a card table often symbolizes life's various gambles and decisions. The presence of another man suggests a partnership or a reflection of an aspect of yourself, possibly indicating a conversation or decision-making process you're engaged with in waking life. The unidentified nature of the conversation might point to some ambiguity or uncertainty you are currently experiencing.
The sudden appearance of a third man who transforms his case into a lectern could symbolize an unexpected intervention or a message being delivered to you. Given that he was preaching, it suggests that you might be feeling that someone is imposing their beliefs or opinions on you, or perhaps you're encountering a situation where you feel you're being given unsolicited advice or guidance. Your irritation in the dream is a clear sign that this imposition is unwelcome, yet your lack of response may indicate a degree of restraint or patience you're exhibiting in a similar real-life scenario.
The leather case that changes into a lectern is particularly striking. Leather, as a material, often represents durability and protection, while a lectern is a platform for speaking. This transformation could be highlighting a shift from something personal and secure to a more public and exposed position. It's as if you're being asked to listen or engage with something more formal or authoritative against your preference.
Your emotions in the dream were notably mild, as you felt only a "bit irritated," which aligns with the emotions_level being 1 and the absence of negative feelings. This suggests that while you may be slightly annoyed by the situations the dream reflects, they do not deeply disturb you or cause distress in your waking life.
It's intriguing that the dream did not evoke strong emotions or constitute a nightmare. This could imply that, although the situation may be slightly bothersome, it doesn't significantly impact your sense of well-being or emotional balance. It could be a reflection of your ability to maintain composure and not let minor irritations escalate into larger concerns.
In summary, your dream seems to reflect a scenario in which you're dealing with an element of unsolicited advice or opinions in your life. You have a strong sense of self-restraint and patience, which allows you to handle these situations with composure. The dream may be encouraging you to consider whether you need to set clearer boundaries or if there's a message you should be more open to hearing, despite the initial irritation it may cause.