A whip suggests corrective punishment and self-flagellation. We need to consider whether such behaviour is appropriate as we progress spiritually. Because the whip or lash is an instrument of punishment we need to be aware that in trying to force things to happen in waking life, we may also be creating problems for ourselves. The whip is an instrument of torture. For it to appear indicates we have either the need to control others, or to be controlled by them. We may be trying to control by using pain either physical or emotional.