sorry Claradoon, I've been busy for a while.
I dreamt I was asleep in my studio apartment when a lion walked by my open front door. I thought he might just keep going but then i remembered my cat, which might an interesting scent to the lion. So I rushed to shut the door (which was a sliding door) and almost won, but 3" short of shut, the lion wanted to come in. Of course being that strong, he won and came in. But he was calm and I thought maybe he just wanted to hang out so I went back to bed. Then there was a fuss so I had to get up and save my cat who was not hurt but terrified. Then the lion went to sleep on top of my bookshelves. I went back to bed but before long I saw a man walk by my front door with a lion cage. I said, "Did you lose a lion?" and he said yes. So I let him in and he put his lion in the cage; the lion obeyed him, no problem. Then the guy tried to make a social occasion of this and I said he really must go. He got up but then knelt, crossed himself, and said he had to give thanks for finding his lion. I told to pray somewhere else and to leave. He left with lion in cage. Problem with lion gender - I was and am sure it was male but it was maneless and beardless, like a female.
Lion
To see a lion in your dream symbolizes great strength, courage, aggression and power. You will overcome some of your emotional difficulties. As king of the jungle, the lion also represents dignity, royalty, leadership, pride and domination. You have much influence over others. You also need to exercise some restraint in your own personal and social life. Alternatively, a lion represents your need for control over others. You have to be in charge. To dream that you are accosted by a lion suggests that a force may be driving you to self-destruction. You need to overcome these challenges and obstacles. The fact that your Lion "felt" male but was visibly female suggests that the lion represents the dominant aspects of yourself.
Bookshelf
To see a bookshelf in your dream represents the various levels of your mind where ideas, concepts, and memories are kept. It also suggests your need to acquire some information or knowledge in a situation before making your decision.
Cat
To see a cat in your dream symbolizes an independent spirit, feminine sexuality, creativity, and power. It also represents misfortune and bad luck. The dream symbol has different significance depending on whether you are a cat lover or not. The cat could indicate that someone is being deceitful or treacherous toward you. If the cat is aggressive, then it suggests that you are having problems with the feminine aspect of yourself. If you are afraid of the cat in your dream, then it suggests that you are fearful of the feminine. The dream may be a metaphor for "cattiness" or someone who is "catty" and malicious. If you see a cat with no tail, then it signifies a loss of independence and lack of autonomy.
Door
To dream that the door is closed or locked signifies opportunities that you have missed out on. Your reticence may be blocking your progress. It also symbolizes the ending of a phase or project. If you are inside the locked door, then it represents harsh lessons that need to be learned. To dream that you are locking the door suggests that you are closing yourself off from others. You are hesitant in letting others in and revealing your feelings. If you dream that you are bracing a door with your back, then it indicates fear of what is ahead for you. You are afraid of confronting something or someone. In particular, seeing the front door in your dream indicates that you are shielding yourself from outside influences.
Lion in Cage
To dream that you are putting a wild animal into a cage signifies that you will succeed in overcoming your rivals and fears. It is also symbolic of your ability to control you animalistic rages and anger.
Man
To see a man in your dream denotes the aspect of yourself that is assertive, rational, aggressive, and/or competitive. Perhaps you need to incorporate these aspects into your own character. If the man is known to you, then the dream may reflect you feelings and concerns you have about him.
Praying
To see an older man in your dream represents wisdom or forgiveness. The older man may be a archetypal figure who is offering guidance to some daily problem. The fact that you rejected the man's help out of hand refers to your self-reliance. To see or hear a man pray in your dream indicates that you are looking for some guidance, on some issue but are conflicted in terms of avoiding complications/obligations.