(1) An abbey is a holy place and represents a more profound dimension of reality than most of us are aware of most of the time. It may, therefore, be a symbol of those parts of the psyche that lie below the surface - that is, below die level of consciousness. It may even represent the self - that is, the ‘true’ or ‘essential’ you.
(2) An abbey is usually an old place and as such may symbolize the older, more basic parts of your psyche. All the mental processes of perceiving, naming and recognizing things, knowing facts, following a train of thought, spinning arguments and so on are, on the evolutionary scale, recent arrivals in the world - or at any rate on the planet Earth. But there is a kind of awareness that is quite independent of these mental processes, is much more ancient and may indeed be as old as evolution itself, and often, in order to get at the truth about ourselves, we need to stop thinking and learn to rely on older modes of knowing.
Other very old, primitive parts of the psyche are the instincts for sex and survival. [1]
If the abbey is old, it is advisable to consult the old stories of the Celtic tradition and the first Christians; their valuable knowledge will favor your spiritual awakening.
Although almost all faiths believe dreaming of an abbey is a good omen, there are some different superstitions. When the dreamer is a young woman, this dream predicts disease. And, if the abbey is in ruins, it means that your plans will fail. However, if the path to access it is blocked, you will be safe from a painful mistake. [2]
To dream that a priest bars your entrance into an abbey, denotes that you will be saved from a ruinous state by enemies mistaking your embarrassment for progress.
For a young woman to get into an abbey, foretells her violent illness.
If she converses with a priest in an abbey, she will incur the censure of true friends for indiscretion. [3]
The Latin word monasterium points to “mon aster”—your own star, your own self (that Jung compares to God). Peace, spiritualization, meditation, and quietness lead you to self, but so does discipline. You have discovered your path and must follow it. [4]
If you see in Abbey in gloom or fog at night it indicates sadness, but it should only the temporary in nature. [6]
See also: Brotherhood. [7]
The more important the structure, the better the prospect. [9]
The symbolism of sanctuary is obvious. [10]