Woman’s Inner Man & The War Within
Artist: Jake Baddeley
Recognizing the animus is an essential step for a woman on a path to maturity and to forming a healthy relationship with a real flesh and blood hu-MAN.
Comedian Taylor Tomlinson in her latest Netflix special gives a spectacular example of a women possessed by her animus function.
She clearly has a severe Father Wound. The Daddy daughter relationship is the primary imprint to forming the foundation to what will become her inner masculine image. Establishing the psychic reservoir where all of her cultural and intimate interaction with the masculine form a composite.
She has little success forming long term successful relationship with a man. However, she makes it clear that this is a central desire and need.
She compensates her deficit by her preoccupation with hyper-independence and success. Like Taylor Swift her possession of the masculine archetype becomes the substitute for a healthy inner masculine sabotaging outer relations with men.
She expresses a panty drenching physical reaction to the mere site of Hugh Jackman. A man she does not know. However, he matches with her internal animus. This triggers her animus projection. She has a visceral reaction to her projection onto Hugh and doesn’t see the man. What she feels is inside of her not him. She can’t see the man for her projection.
In depth psychology these indicators describes what is referred to animus possession.
We are living in a world where adult female children contain within their psyche the artifacts and affect of the archetypal Father Wound.
Like Taylor, many women are facing a ubiquitous challenge forming lasting relationships with men.
Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, introduced the concept of analytical psychology, diverging from Freud's psychoanalysis by emphasizing the importance of the individual psyche and the personal quest for wholeness. Jungian psychology focuses on the exploration of the deep, often unconscious elements of the human psyche and how they shape our personalities and behaviors. It integrates the concept of the collective unconscious, a shared reservoir of experiences and symbols across cultures, which houses what Jung termed as archetypes.
Archetypes, Eros, and the Animus
Archetypes are innate, universal prototypes for ideas, and they manifest in the world through behaviors and varied cultural symbols, influencing human behavior and experiences. Examples include the Mother, the Hero, the Shadow, and the Anima/Animus.
Eros, in Jungian psychology, symbolizes the principle of love and connectivity, often associated with creativity and the life force that binds and unites. It represents the desire for wholeness and integration within one's psyche and in relationships with others.
The Animus represents the masculine aspects of a woman's psyche. It is the archetype of reason and spirit, often manifesting through a series of male images in dreams and fantasies. The animus influences a woman's interactions with men and her feelings of power and assertiveness.
Eros in Depth Psychology
In depth psychology, Eros transcends its common association with romantic love to embody the broader concept of bonding, creativity, and the unifying force within the psyche. It signifies the drive towards integration and the harmonization of opposites, including the conscious and unconscious realms of the self.
Symbolism and Representation of Eros in the Psyche
Eros is symbolized in various forms, from mythological figures to everyday experiences of love, passion, and creativity. It drives the psyche's movement towards unity and the integration of disparate elements, playing a crucial role in personal development and individuation. Eros's energy is vital for psychological transformation, representing the motivating force behind the pursuit of meaning and connection in life.
Animus in a Woman’s Psyche
The animus in Jungian psychology is the archetype of masculinity present within the female psyche. It embodies qualities traditionally considered masculine, such as logic, reason, and assertiveness. The animus influences a woman's inner world and her interactions with the external world, impacting her attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards men.
How it Manifests in a Woman's Life and Psychology
The animus can manifest in a woman's life through her interactions with men, her career ambitions, and her personal aspirations. It can be observed in the male figures that populate her dreams and fantasies, representing her own masculine qualities. When integrated healthily, the animus contributes to a woman's sense of autonomy, power, and understanding of the masculine aspects of reality.
Eros as a Scapegoat to a Woman’s Animus
In some instances, a woman may misidentify the erotic attraction or relational dynamics (Eros) as manifestations of her animus, leading to confusion in personal relationships and self-perception. This misidentification can amplify the unconscious aspects of the animus, obscuring the true nature of her inner masculine.
Reasons Behind This Psychological Phenomenon
This phenomenon often occurs when there is an imbalance in the psyche, leading to an overemphasis on either the animus or Eros, causing distortions in understanding one's own motivations and the nature of relationships. For instance, a woman may attribute her drive for power or success solely to her relationships with men, rather than recognizing these aspirations as expressions of her animus.
Destructive Side of the Animus
The animus, while a source of strength and assertiveness, can also manifest in its destructive aspects when not integrated properly. This section explores the negative impacts of an unbalanced animus on a woman's psyche and life.
Identification of Animus Possession
Animus possession can be identified through various symptoms and behaviors, such as:
1. Boss Babe Syndrome: Obsession with power and success, often at the cost of personal relationships and emotional well-being.
2. Power Struggles: Intense need to dominate and control situations, leading to conflicts and interpersonal issues.
3. Inflation: Overestimation of one's abilities and importance, resulting in unrealistic expectations and disappointments.
4. Burnout: Exhaustion from relentless pursuit of success and recognition, neglecting self-care and emotional health.
5. Idealization of Male Figures: Over-identification with male celebrities or fictional characters, projecting one's animus onto these figures. Having a physical, visceral reaction to the site of a particular celebrity like Henry Cavill or Chris Hemsworth etc. is an example of a projected animus onto a hook that matches a women’s inner imago of the ideal (idealization) man.
6. Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Indirect expression of anger and assertiveness, leading to dysfunctional communication and relationships.
7. Grandiose Entitlement: Feeling entitled to success, admiration, and authority without corresponding effort or achievements. Having unrealistic standards for men and what she thinks she deserves from them.
Differentiating Between Eros and the Animus
Differentiating between Eros and the animus involves understanding their distinct roles in the psyche. Eros relates to the force of connection and love, driving towards unity and integration. In contrast, the animus represents the masculine principle, influencing logic, reason, and assertiveness.
Importance of Differentiation for Psychological Health
Recognizing the differences between Eros and the animus is crucial for psychological health and personal development. It allows for a more balanced integration of the masculine and feminine aspects of the psyche, leading to healthier relationships and a more harmonious inner life.
Integrating a Healthy Relationship with Inner Masculine
Strategies for Achieving a Balanced Inner Masculine
Integrating a healthy relationship with the inner masculine involves:
Self-awareness: Acknowledging and understanding the manifestations of the animus within one's psyche. When you are triggered with “chemistry”
by the mere site of a certain “type” of guy is pause for reflection.
Shadow work: Confronting and integrating the unconscious aspects of oneself, including the negative sides of the animus and re-collecting the projection by identifying when it is active. Allowing a realistic perspective to come into focus.
Active imagination: Engaging with the inner masculine through creative and reflective practices, facilitating dialogue and understanding.
I highly recommend the following books:
Leaving My Fathers House by Marion Woodman Ph.D.
The Shadow King, The Invisible Force That Holds Women Back by Sidra Stone Ph.D.
Femininity Lost and Regained by Robert A. Johnson
These strategies are essential for cultivating a balanced and healthy relationship with the inner masculine. Self-awareness opens the door to recognizing the influence of the animus, shadow work addresses the unconscious conflicts and negative patterns, and active imagination fosters a constructive relationship with the animus, promoting psychological growth and wholeness. An essential step to forming a healthy relationship with a real flesh and blood hu-MAN.