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ยป Home ยป Turning Inwards

Anima and Animus: How to Balance Divine Feminine/Masculine

by Aletheia Luna ยท Updated: Sep 4, 2022 ยท 84 Comments

Image of two hands holding fire and water representing the anima and animus
Yin yang anima animus

As poet Walt Whitman once wrote, “I am large, I contain multitudes.”

There’s a reason why this simple yet beautiful verse has reverberated across history: it contains immense truth. We all contain multitudes.

We’re all a divine amalgamation of water and fire, soul and spirit, yin and yang.


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Ultimately, when we can look deeply into the nature of everything within us, we can see that all human beings contain two types of energy: that of the feminine and masculine.

In psychology, these two polar opposite forces are known as the Anima and Animus.

What’s fascinating is that both Eastern and Western teachings promote the need to connect with, explore, and balance each of these seemingly polar inner forces to find true equilibrium and wellbeing.

Perhaps even more important than finding a sense of overall balance, learning how to connect with the feminine (Anima) and masculine (Animus) face of the Soul is a crucial part of the spiritual awakening journey.

Table of contents

  • What is the Anima and Animus?
  • The Anima Explained
  • The Animus Explained
  • Becoming Whole = Reclaiming the Inner Feminine and Masculine
  • Soul Loss and the Anima / Animus
  • Nothing to Do With Your Sexuality or Gender Identity
  • How to Connect With Your Anima or Animus
  • Sacred Balance

What is the Anima and Animus?

Image of a yin yang symbol that represents the anima and animus

First coined by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung, the terms “Anima” and “Animus” refer to the indwelling masculine and feminine energies that we all possess.

Specifically, the anima is thought to be the feminine part of a man’s Soul, and the animus refers to the masculine part of a female’s Soul. Both the anima and animus are ancient archetypes (or raw forms of energy) that every being contains.


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Let’s explore these parts of us more in depth:


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The Anima Explained

Image of a pink rose that represents the anima energy

Derived from Latin meaning “a current of air, wind, breath, the vital principle, life, soul,”ย the Anima refers to the unconscious feminine dimension of a male which is often forgotten or repressed in daily life.ย 

As it’s generally considered taboo to embrace one’s inner female side as a man in patriarchal society, men often fail to fully embody and embrace this fundamental energy within their Souls. Sadly, if a male does embrace his Anima, he is often criticized as being “a wimp,” “a sissy,” “a pussy,” and other derogatory names.

However, in the perspective of psychology, in order to fully step into a mature masculine role, a man must go on a quest to explore this inner Divine Feminine energy. In other words, he must unite with the other half of his Soul.

Often, this quest results in some sort of projection, that is, trying to find the ideal lover or soulmate in the form of another idealized person. But he can never embody the Anima through another person โ€“ only through his own concerted efforts.

The key realization here is that he must find this force within himself, rather than disown it onto another.

As described by Jungian Psychologist Dan Johnston, the man who has connected with his feminine Anima displays “tenderness, patience, consideration and compassion.”ย 

However, repression of the female element within males often results in a negative Anima that emerges as personality traits such as “vanity, moodiness, bitchiness, and sensitivity to hurt feelings.”

Indeed, a man who has failed to embody his Anima also tends to fall prey to emotional numbness and toxic masculine traits such as aggression, ruthlessness, coldness, and a purely rational approach to life.

The Animus Explained

Image of a cactus that represents the animus energy

The Animus, which is a Latin word that means “the rational soul; life; the mental powers, intelligence,” is the unconscious male dimension in the female psyche.ย 

Due to societal, parental, and cultural conditioning, the Animus, or male element within the woman, is often inhibited, restrained, and suppressed (just as the Anima is within men).ย 

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However, the Animus isn’t always repressed โ€“ sometimes, it is actually over-emphasized and forcefully imposed upon women. Take Western society for example. Here we have a culture that ruthlessly imposes toxic masculine ideals such as workaholism, productivity, emotional numbness, and ruthlessness as ways to excel and succeed in life.

All of these external elements can contribute towards a negative Animus, which can reveal itself in a woman’s personality through argumentative tendencies, brutishness, destructiveness, and insensitivity.ย 

However, integrating a positive Animus into the female psyche can result in assertiveness, levelheadedness, objectivity, and rationality.

Becoming Whole = Reclaiming the Inner Feminine and Masculine

Image of a yin yang symbol representing the anima and animus

In the mind of Jung โ€“ who derived many of his thoughts and teachings from Eastern Philosophies โ€“ in order for a person to be whole through the process of “Individuation” (i.e., inner evolution), a person must encounter, and work to embrace, their internal Anima or Animus (or Feminine and Masculine energy).

As Jung goes on to explain, the process of this becoming whole (or Individuation) can be described as:

… becoming an โ€œin-dividual,โ€ and, in so far as โ€œindividualityโ€ embraces our innermost, last, and incomparable uniqueness, it also implies becoming oneโ€™s own self. We could therefore translate individuation as โ€œcoming to selfhood,โ€ or โ€œself-realization.โ€

Thus connecting with our inner male or female energy โ€“ the “other half” of our Soul โ€“ is essential for the development of self-awareness and understanding, which are important components of inner work and deep spiritual growth.

Soul Loss and the Anima / Animus

Image of an eclipse

Perhaps one of the biggest signs that we’re disconnected from the “other half” of our Soul is a feeling of lethargy, aimlessness, loneliness, and overall unease.

This malaise is what I call Soul Loss, and it emerges when we’re so rigidly stuck in one mode of being (either yin/feminine or yang/masculine), that we can’t access the fullness of our sacred wild True Nature.

The longer we’re operating from this limited, one-dimensional place, the more likely we are to fall into a crisis of some kind like the Dark Night of the Soul whose function is to essentially “shake us to awaken us.”

But we can lessen the likelihood of experiencing such an extreme crisis if we learn to embrace the fact that we are multi-faceted beings and ‘retrieve’ the lost side of our Soul.

Nothing to Do With Your Sexuality or Gender Identity

Image of a white and black hand symbolic of the anima and animus

Before we explore how to reconnect with the other side of our Soul, I want to highlight something important.

Connecting to your inner Anima or Animus does not require you to become homosexual, lesbian, or possess a non-binary/trans identity, as some might think.ย And if you identify with either of these sexual orientations or identities, it doesn’t require you to become heterosexual or cisgender/binary either.ย 

Why?ย 

The Anima and Animus energy within us has nothing to do with sexuality or gender identity. Instead, it’s all about creating balance.

In essence, what we’re striving for is to balance the opposites within us to create a sense of Wholeness. In other words, what we’re practicing is a living form of spiritual alchemy. The point isn’t to give up your sexual preference or identity, but to become a more mature human being.


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How to Connect With Your Anima or Animus

Image of a man and woman dancing symbolic of the anima and animus

So how can we connect with the inner Divine Feminine (Anima) or Divine Masculine (Animus)?ย  Here are some suggestions:

For Males – Connecting to the Anima

Connecting to the Anima for males is about getting in touch with the inner feminine energy which manifests itself as passivity, sensitivity, and emotionality.ย Suggestions for getting in touch with your Anima include the following:

  • Practice the art of listening with concern and compassion
  • Rediscover your passionate side through romantic gestures
  • Take care of/nurture something (like a plant, lover, or animal)
  • Practice thoughtfulness and consideration of the needs of others
  • Express your inner Anima creatively, e.g., music, art, sculpture, poetry, dance
  • Practice mindfulness, meditation, and other ways to get in touch with, and understand your emotions
  • Expand your hobbies or interests to incorporate feminine energies in your life
  • Practice self-love and self-care
  • Find a historical female figure (or male with a strong Anima) who you admire and use them as a role model

*You can also read our article on the Divine Feminine for more guidance.*

For Females – Connecting to the Animus

For females, connecting to the inner Animus is about understanding masculine energy which manifests itself in an active, dominant, and logical way.ย Suggestions for getting in touch with your Animus include the following:

  • Practice assertiveness
  • Adopt a role or position that puts you in authority
  • Learn to take charge of something in your life
  • Discover and develop your leadership abilities
  • Read non-fiction instead of purely fiction
  • Become more self-sufficient and self-reliant
  • Learn masculine skills, (e.g., fixing car problems, learning to use a drill, fix broken appliances, etc.)
  • Gain more emotional balance by practicing mindfulness, meditation, and self-exploration
  • Find a historical male figure (or female with a strong Animus) who you admire and use them as a role model (see my archetypes article for more guidance)

*You can also read our article on the Divine Masculine for more in-depth guidance.*

For Those Who Don’t Identify With Either Gender

If you don’t identify as either male or female (e.g., non-binary/genderqueer individuals), try working with the type of energy that you feel most estranged from or uncomfortable with.

For example, if you struggle to connect with yang energy, focus on connecting with the Animus face of your Soul (and vice versa with yin/Anima energy).

If you don’t feel particularly disconnected with either, choose any you like! You might even like to work simultaneously with both energies, and journal about your discoveries to keep a record of your journey.

For Masculine Women and Feminine Men

Obviously, not all women possess traditional feminine energy, and not all men possess traditional masculine energy. I would consider myself a more masculine-oriented woman and I’ve had many yang-type female friends who struggle to “get along” with the softer face of the yin/feminine.

If you’re a masculine-oriented woman or feminine-oriented man, my advice is simple:

  • For masculine women, work with the Anima (yin) side of your Soul
  • For feminine men, work with the Animus (yang) side of your Soul

Once you’ve allowed more space for yin or yang qualities to emerge within your psyche, you’ll eventually find yourself being drawn toward the opposite energy. And like a pendulum, you’ll dance between both types of energy until more equilibrium, harmony, and inner balance is reached.

Sacred Balance

Image of a crystal ball balanced on some rocks symbolic of anima animus balance

The spiritual awakening journey is about finding sacred balance. When we lack a strong connection to either the masculine or feminine part of ourselves, we suffer. Remember that your Soul contains both sides. You deserve to have access to all parts of your inner Self.

Thankfully, all that is needed to get back into balance is simply observing your life and making some changes. First, ask yourself what side of the spectrum you’re leaning more toward, the Anima (feminine) or Animus (masculine)?

Second, introduce some simple changes into your mindsets and habits. For example, do you need to bring in more assertive Animus energy? Do you need to make space for patient and gentle Anima energy? Creating a balanced self is always contextual and will shift and change throughout your life.

What energy do you struggle to feel connected with? Why do you think this might be? I’d love to hear below.

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About Aletheia Luna

Aletheia Luna is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and intuitive guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. [Read More]

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  1. Nicole says

    August 18, 2020 at 12:40 am

    I feel conflicted reading about what the masculine energy means vs what the feminine energy means. I am a woman, so perhaps I am feeling insecurity about how the masculine is described as the leader, the doer, the one who takes control; because the masculine is what is so valued by society. Western society at the very least, it doesn’t value the Divine feminine and I feel a little sad that the Divine feminine is defined as it is, because women tend to be seen as weak or that they should follow men’s lead in this world. This is not to attack you at all, Luna, this is just my reaction to it. I also have some questions: Who defined which one was feminine and which was masculine? Why couldn’t the feminine be the leader/the doer? What I’m perceiving is that these are gender roles at play, and I hate gender roles because they have told me what I should be my entire life. I feel upset by reading what I have read. At the same time, I just want a better understanding. Could someone reply?

    Reply
    • Aletheia Luna says

      August 19, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      Hi Nicole,
      Thanks for your comments and observations.
      The way I see it is that the less you identify with your gender identity (which is ultimately a construct created by the mind and attached to by the ego), the more fluid the definitions of “masculine” and “feminine” become. The more we see it as simply energy, not as a gender role. In my case, for example, I’m a “female” but this term doesn’t mean much to me as I don’t identify strongly with it. I see myself as both incorporating both the divine feminine and divine masculine. So I am a leader, a gentle nurturer, a warrior, a listener, and so on. This is not about solidifying false gender constructs, this is about defining, working with, and balancing these two forms of energy that we all possess.

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    March 01, 2020 at 4:14 am

    Last night I dreamed a hooded man was sitting beside me on my bed holding me down … I was trying to scream for help . As soon as I was able to make a sound he disappeared … I had gone to my sleep unhappy about a friendship with a man that confuses me , he comes close then backs away . He hangs out with me then dates someone else . He kissed me then apologised for disrespecting me . I am a strong healthy and in – dependent Alfa kind of older women . I can and do figure out all things for myself . My inner male is well formed and available when I call upon him . I am also very much a women . Your post is extremely helpful in guiding me to turn within to find the meaning of the symbol of my lost ability to scream when held down by my own inability to follow my inner guidance ,to walk away from the feelings of powerlessness that I have begun to feel every time I spend any time with this male friend . It feels like deception .. I am deceiving myself into hoping that my friend will change his behaviour towards me . But in truth I donโ€™t want to give this male friend any more of my power … my animus is in its infancy how to grow him up ?? …. Thank you

    Reply
    • Daniel says

      March 03, 2020 at 1:00 am

      Michelle, I read your post and somehow felt we are in a similar situation. I’m a man looking for balance of my masculine and feminine energies.
      I’m living a situation similar to yours, I have a woman friend who needs my strength and at tomes she is close and during others she simply vanishes saying that it’s her depression that makes her distant. I have a choice: I could get her out of my life for good and stop her from draining me emotionally. Or I could have compassion, understand why she acts this way and be there if needed. Although an intelligent adjustment to my perception is needed: I need to be complete as an individual without her. The key to my inner balance lies within me being able to be masculine and feminine, enough to nurture my soul.
      If I make this change I can really impact my personal surroundings. After this change is made I have to simply wait for God’s miracle. Whatever it is, it will be the best for my life. I hope this somehow relates to you. God Bless!

      Reply
  3. Ondine says

    November 29, 2019 at 11:19 pm

    How about females with people pleasing traits? I know I need to balance and heal my feminine side but I lack assertiveness and have problems concerning men, does having a problem with the animus ( negative/imbalance) create unhealthy boundaries and passivity thus leading to repressed anger? Thank you Luna for this guide, it really has helped giving me insight :)

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      August 08, 2020 at 11:18 am

      Possibly, Ondine. I’d explore how having problems concerning men (as you mention) has contributed to your desire to people-please. Maybe pick one of the activities from the lists in this article (for both anima and animus) and stick with them for a month. See what changes they bring. :)

      Reply
  4. Rowan says

    November 20, 2019 at 4:16 pm

    I thought I might have an interesting position in this discussion. I am a trans male. Assigned female at birth. I had always tiptoed around this subject because it had always been told to me that males need female energy and vice versa . The way you explained it in this article though, you can be male and still need to work on your male energy, I finally feel that I understand. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      August 08, 2020 at 11:15 am

      Thank you for sharing this, Rowan from your unique position โ€“ I’m glad this article could help โ™ก

      Reply
  5. Kane says

    June 09, 2019 at 4:31 am

    Howdy. Iโ€™ve had a couple of dreams lately that I believe involved my Anima but Iโ€™m unsure as to what the meaning of the encounter was. Last mights dream involved a theme based on the Heroโ€™s Journey that played out like an Avengers movie. There was chaos raging all around & all characters were male save for one. At one point towards the very end of the dream where i was in an Iron Man suit & landed somewhere close to a large body of water, possibly the ocean โ€œrepresesting my unconcious?โ€ an d there was a young woman who was standing on the opposite side of a guard rail. I approached her to embrace but had to squeeze myself through two of the wooden support posts that were part of the rail, it was a tight squeeze but still managed to fit through. Once on the other side she & i embraced & began kissing & holding each other. The biggest detail to this was that โ€œi could actually smell herโ€ & it was wonderful! I canโ€™t recall ever being able to smell in my dreams but during that embrace i could. Iโ€™m wondering if this is what Jung called โ€œthe final masterpiece?โ€

    Any thoughts & considerations are greatly appreciated! Thank you.

    Reply
  6. Maxine Yang says

    March 12, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    Is it possible to connect to my animus if I spend time with my little brothers?

    Reply
    • Aletheia says

      August 08, 2020 at 11:24 am

      Yes, why not?

      Reply
  7. Cucci says

    September 07, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    When my dad came to visit, my mom and I felt more motivated. What can we adopt in our lives while he’s gone to keep up the motivation?

    Reply
  8. LM says

    July 15, 2018 at 11:13 pm

    Bitchiness related to the feminine side? Oh this is really sexist.
    Sorry, but I disliked it a lot.
    Please be more careful about the language/ expressions.

    Reply
    • Sophie says

      October 05, 2018 at 1:08 am

      no women IN GENERAL compared to men use argumentative language rather than men who are more likely to lash out. This isn’t sexist it is just fact. Men and women’s brains are different we think and act different in general. You have to accept that. Being different doesn’t make one side better than the other.

      Reply
    • carolperatiaki says

      April 08, 2019 at 8:18 am

      JUST WHAT I NEEDED FEELING THIS WAY AND ITS SO TRUE I PULL THAT stern strong MASCULINE ENERGY INTO LINE WITH MY FEMININE GRACE SIDE IT WORKS A UNIQUE BALANCE WAS AWESOME TO BE REMINDED OF WAYS TO BALANCE MY ENERGIES. THANKS LONERWOLF – females for instance, may possess more Animus (male) energy than female energy, and thus will need to get back in touch with the Anima (female) energy I NEEDED THIS GUIDANCE Big Thanks LonerWolf. Carol

      Reply
    • Xeo says

      June 09, 2019 at 4:38 am

      Sexist & โ€œplease control what language is used?โ€ Lol talk about Anima/Animus projection!

      I wish you luck!

      Reply
  9. S says

    May 02, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    Very nice article. Lots of unique and unknown facts has been discussed here. Very helpful. Looking forward to see more information on this topic. Good job.

    Reply
  10. Keyn says

    August 19, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    What does it mean if you’re a man with rather debilitating symptoms of anima possession, but you practice all the suggestions of getting in touch with the feminine side? How do I get in touch with the masculine side?

    Reply
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