A ladder in a dream commonly reflects ambition and the steps required to reach it -- each rung a small, deliberate risk toward something higher. Climbing steadily can point to confidence in your progress, while a shaky or breaking ladder often names a fear that the risk isn't fully supported yet.
The Artist must know how to vary the planets significations according to the year wherein he writes, having still a regard to the grand Epoch of superior Conjunctions or Comets preceding. - William Lilly (1602.-1681.)