The abyss in any form has a fascinating dual significance. On the one
hand, it is a symbol of depth in general; on the other, a symbol of inferiority. The
attraction of the abyss lies in the fact that these two aspects are inextricably
linked together. Most ancient or primitive peoples have at one time or another
identified certain breaks in the earth’s surface or marine depths with the abyss.
Among the Celts and other peoples, the abyss was inside mountains; in Ireland,Japan and the South Sea islands, it was at the bottom of seas and lakes; among Mediterranean peoples it was just beyond the horizon; for the Australian aborigines, the Milky Way is the abyss par excellence. The abyss is usually identified
with the ‘land of the dead’, the underworld, and is hence, though not always,
associated with the Great Mother and earth-god cults (35). The association between the nether world and the bottom of seas or lakes explains many aspects of
legends in which palaces or beings emerge from an abyss of water. After King
Arthur’s death, his sword, thrown into the lake by his command, is caught as it
falls and, before being drawn down to the bottom, flourished by a hand which
emerges from the waters.

To dream of an abyss, signifies an obstacle that is creating much anxiety for you. You need to work through the difficulty and overcome this obstacle in your life. Perhaps you are afraid of "taking the plunge".

To dream that you are falling into an abyss, symbolizes the depths of your unconscious. You are afraid and/or uncertain as to what you will discover about yourself and about your hidden feelings and fears. The abyss may also represent your primal fears and feelings of "falling into a pit of despair". Perhaps you are in a state of depression or wallowing in your negative feelings. Alternatively, the dream could denote your lack of spirituality.

To dream of looking into an abyss, means that you will be confronted by threats of seizure of property, and that there will be quarrels and reproaches of a personal nature which will unfit you to meet the problems of life.

For a woman to be looking into an abyss, foretells that she will burden herself with unwelcome cares. If she falls into the abyss her disappointment will be complete; but if she succeeds in crossing, or avoiding it, she will reinstate herself.

An abyss is as deep as your fear of the hidden feelings inside of you or of a situation that threatens your happiness. Falling in this abyss reflects your despair and anxiety. Dreaming of an abyss will tell you that you need to overcome your deepest fears and get rid of the obstacles in your way.

An abyss or deep pit or gulf usually symbolizes the unconscious and its underlying instincts. It can also represent the nothingness before you are born, your mother or the maternal breast. It is very common to dream about standing on the edge of a never-ending drop, where the fear of falling into it is great. It could be that you are being invited to descend into your subconscious, to have a good look at yourself from the inside; this is often a very scary thing to undertake which is where the fear comes in. What lay beneath the abyssal darkness could be the repressed parts of your nature.

You may find yourself flying or leaping over a deep ravine, or traversing a bridge across it. This is a symbol of shallowness, where you don’t want to delve to deeply into yourself but prefer to skim over the surface for whatever reason.

To dream that you are reaching for something or someone, signifies a yearning or desire for something you do not have. The dream may also be symbolic of an emotional void in your life that you are trying to fill.

To dream of darkness overtaking you on a journey, augurs ill for any work you may attempt, unless the sun breaks through before the journey ends, then faults will be overcome.

To lose your friend, or child, in the darkness, portends many provocations to wrath. Try to remain under control after dreaming of darkness, for trials in business and love will beset you.

A dark place, such as a cave, in a dream can symbolize negative emotions. In your dream, are you able to find your way out of the dark place?

A dream about being in darkness can also mean that you believe you are being "kept in the dark" about something - that someone else is keeping a secret from you.

If you dream that you are afraid of the dark you could be unwilling to deal with obstacles that you expect to face in the future.