Hourglass
A glass timer measured in falling sand — visible, finite time running in one direction.
An hourglass in a dream is the dream's image of visible, finite time running in one direction. The sand does not stop on its own; the only intervention available is to turn the glass over once it is empty. The dream brings the hourglass when something in your life — a deadline, a relationship in late phase, a season of opportunity — is being measured by a running supply that you can see and cannot pause. An hourglass turned at the right moment is the dream affirming the use of a clearly bounded period. An hourglass ignored, with the sand all in the lower bulb, is the dream noting that the time was real and visible and you let it run out without acting.