Cats under the porch

I am living in a new neighborhood. Both in my dream and in real life. The house in this dream is not the one I live in now though, neither is the neighborhood. It is a beautiful house and my neighbor has built a partial privacy fence on the right side near the street and across from his house. I seem pretty grateful for this. It is helpful because I have dogs. I am standing in the backyard, green grass all around, and then see a set of steps in the middle of the yard wooden, like portable you can move around. I see cats sleeping under them and they don't belong to me, but decide to leave them to their nap. (I love all animals and critters). My dog runs out of the house to play with a very tiny kitten, that has 3 legs missing, but still healthy, they meet and play together (viewed from the left). I am feeling concerned for the kitten at first, then notice the dog and kitten are quite happy with each other. I notice out of the corner of my right eye, underneath the porch opening are two adult grown cats, one yellow and one gray curled up as in an embrace sleeping together....this is when I awaken, feeling far more relaxed and at ease within myself, than I have for many days recently.

The only unusual thing that stands out to me are the portable wooden steps out in the middle of the back yard. Not quite sure what to make of that.

Wooden steps to your ease with your self and the Balance and harmony within (hozhoni). You took the steps in the right direction.

ah yes! I see!!!!

Some people associate animals with their soul, or a wordless awareness within themselves. Because animals have feeling and can love, but don't use words. The cats in your dream are embracing and loving. There is harmony between the dog and the kitten even though the dog could potentially be dangerous to the kitten if it wasn't careful. your soul, these different wordless qualities within you, is at peace?

What do you associate with a kitten with 3 legs missing? do you if it was born that was, or was this an accident? it is "deformed" but happy. it is happy even though it is missing something missing 3 legs is a very serious "deformity," which would prevent the kitten from getting around, but it is still happy. is there some part of your life that is missing something?

I agree with Thunder Bow that steps seem like steps you can take in your life toward something, and the dream is suggestive of that "something" is inner peace and harmony. maybe you have made peace with the fact that part of your life is missing something, with the help of specific steps that you are taking?

EDIT: a couple more things:

What do you associate with a yellow cat and a gray cat?

The dog is yours, so it would be a part of yourself you more identify with. The cats that don't belong to you would be a part of your life that is more unconscious, that you haven't integrated into your conscious personality yet.

Could be that is why they are napping and happy under the porch, underneath on the cool damp earth, thus hidden from the light.

Thanks so much
Jade

Interesting that cats didn't come into your life until later, which fits with the idea that are aspects of your personality that are later to integrate into consciousness.

EDIT: also being under the porch or under the steps makes them not as noticeable, a bit hidden as you say. What do you think about the fact the steps don't really lead anywhere, and it's interesting that the steps lead over the cats, as though if you just took the steps you would miss the animals under them. Also, in the dream you don't actually climb the steps. I don't know what this is saying, but it is not saying in any clear way that these steps lead to a greater sense of connection, and it could be the opposite.

Mike

ok, yes there is a lot missing from my romantic version. So the steps are so out of place in the middle of the backyard for one. And the cats are not disturbed by my presence. This whole place has a nonthreatening environment to me and the animals and environment. Inviting.

I am and have been in the male dominant role as long as I can remember. So, the hidden female part of the personality (adult) has been hidden most of life.
Thinking tom-boyish.

The steps not leading anywhere.....currently, in my own life is at a standstill.

Jade

Nonthreatening environment, the steps need not to lead anywhere, they are home to the Cats. You took the right steps. Go with your inner peace and don't over question yourself or this dream!

Maybe the inner peace comes from noticing the cats under the steps and porch as a relatively new awareness. Like it's an important step in your life to become aware of this aspect of yourself.

Also it sounds like your tender love for the 1-legged kitten is like loving yourself despite any flaws. Sounds like a wonderful dream!