In a dream, the rungs of the ladder are often either seven or 12 in number, these being traditionally the stages of growth towards spirituality. Jacob's dream of a ladder is one such potent image. The ladder denotes our ability to break through to a new level of awareness, moving from the physical to the spiritual, but also being able to move downwards again. It also suggests communication between the physical and spiritual realms as a stage of transition. Occasionally it may also represent death, though this is more the death of the old self, or way of being, rather than a physical death. The ladder in dreams denotes how secure we feel in moving from one situation to another. We may need to make a considerable effort to reach a goal or take an opportunity. Often this dream occurs during career changes and so has obvious connotations. If the rungs are broken we can expect difficulty. If someone else is carrying the ladder it could suggest that another person, perhaps a manager or colleague, has a part to play in our progression. You might like to consult the entry for Levels/Layers for additional clarification.