Lightning in a dream often marks a sudden flash of insight -- a realization that arrives all at once rather than through gradual thought, and can feel as startling as it is clarifying. Being struck by it may reflect a shock that's reordered your priorities, a revelation you can't unsee once it's happened.
Generals are to be gathered from Singulars, and Singulars from Generals, and an Artist ought always to learn to distinguish between that which is by itself, and that which is only by accident. - Cardan Girolamo (1501-1576)