Fighting Mantis in dreams
A patient, predatory insect — stillness so complete that the prey arrives on its own.
How fighting changes the reading
Fighting in the dream layers in active conflict — the symbol's energy has been mobilised against something. Take note of what it is fighting; the dream is often naming the actual conflict that has been below the surface of your waking life.
The base reading of Mantis
A mantis in a dream is the dream's image of stillness used as a weapon. Mantises do not chase; they wait, fold their arms, and let other insects walk in. The dream brings the mantis when you are dealing with — or being — someone whose great move is to do nothing and let the situation deliver the result. A mantis still on a leaf is the dream telling you the patience is working. A mantis striking is the dream marking that the patient phase is over and a fast, self-contained move has occurred.