Importance of the Anima for Men

The Quest for Wholeness

When it comes to this quest for wholeness, the Anima plays an important role. The development of the anima into the 'mystical twin' figure common to many anima dreams and stories depends on the 'dignity' of the male ego, its ability to relate to, love and long for her. This desire (which is essentially a projection, a transfer) is what shapes the anima figure. The male ego projects its hidden, and in some ways "better", self onto it, and the shape of the anima is derived from this projection or reflection. First a man's Anima is unconsciously tied to his mother. This is called the Projection Stage. Which is characterized by a dependency on women for emotional well-being, with the Anima merged with one's personal mother. The second stage, called the Attraction Stage, introduces intense attraction and desire directed towards a particular woman. Individuals project their idealized qualities onto this woman, perceiving her as the embodiment of their deepest desires and aspirations. Which lead to the problematic behaviour that we so often see today. Where the Internalization stage signifies a shift from external projection to a more internalized and personal connection with the feminine. Becoming aware of anima projection and possession can also be common during this stage.

When it comes to the Projection Stage and the Attraction Stage, there are some factors that can be at play. Often for a man in this modern age, his Anima tends to become split due to a negative Mother Complex. The negative Mother Complex with her dark wizard Animus is what initially needs to be overcome. This for a man being the dark masculine, split of from consciousness, which keeps him from being connected to the instinctual realms. Symbolically this is the breaking of the sword of the masculine. Where often this also results in a split of the Anima, into a figure that becomes idealized, seen as chaste and tied to love. Where the other figure is often tied to sexuality, vitality and things seen as taboo.

However if trauma is involved regarding the negative Mother Complex, this can however also become a split more tied to the nature of the trauma. For instance one older Anima figure could be a strong, idealized figure that protects the wounded ego. This often occurs in dreams, where this feminine figure holds of monsters or other shadow related figures, where the dreamer becomes more passive. Often the other split off figure being either a ghost, dead, or otherwise traumatized or a younger helpless Anima figure. There generally tends to be a drowning fascination for the idealized figure, either projected onto real life women, or otherwise projected onto something in some form. At first there is often a reluctance to want to put ones attention towards the wounded split off aspect of the Anima. This itself is both the feminine wound within men, and at the same time ties to the wounding of the Divine Feminine. Due to this most men are unconscious of the inner feminine qualities, and stuck within the first or second stage of Anima development.

Working through this split, and the connected wounding, is what slowly allows one to heal and pull back projections. Both caused by the idealized and wounded aspect, which also at the same time can be tied to a split between love and sexuality. Within this process of healing this split the Anima often plays an important role within dreams. It is then when a man works through this fragmentation of his Anima that he slowly works towards realizing the Anima as an inner healed aspect within himself.

Then as one progresses, the Anima takes on the role of wisdom and intuitive insight in the Wisdom stage. Individuals here then develop a more conscious and balanced relationship with the feminine, integrating intuition and creativity into their personality. Where the finals stage is the Integration Stage, where the Anima serves as a mediator between the conscious and unconscious realms, offering a psychological space for individuals to confront and assimilate the shadow elements within. Generally during this stage the individual's attention is focused on the integration of their inner and outer selves, and the harmonization of opposing forces within themselves. The focus is on developing a deeper understanding of the self and the world, and finding ways to integrate spiritual principles into daily life. In this process, the Anima plays a significant role.

The Anima, representing the feminine aspect of the psyche in men, undergoes a transformation as it merges with consciousness. This union leads to the integration and balance of both feminine and masculine qualities within the individual. The Anima thus moves from being an unconscious, autonomous figure to becoming an inner guide and mediator between the conscious and unconscious aspects of the individual's psyche. The Anima, now integrated and aligned with the conscious self, provides a source of creativity, intuition, and wisdom. It serves as a bridge to the deeper aspects of the unconscious and helps in the process of self-discovery and transformation. As the Anima becomes integrated, it contributes to a more holistic and harmonious personality, allowing for a greater capacity for empathy, emotional depth, and a balanced expression of both masculine and feminine qualities.

It is within this stage of development that the Anima symbolized by the Holy Grail in Arthurian myth returns to the Grail King. This is what in a more ancient Celtic sense is connected to the marriage between the Sacred King and the Sovereignty Goddess. This Sovereignty Goddess representing the Feminine in it's wholeness. The instinctual, intuitive, creative, emotional, rational and spiritual aspects of life combined within. The merging of masculine and feminine, light and dark, consciousness and unconscious, life and death. This is in itself the final goal of the great mysteries of the ancient pagans, which is the original goal of the Grail Quest. The bringing down of the spiritual into the world. The spirit into the body, leading to the embodiment of spirit in flesh.

In closing, I'd like to take a moment to honor Christina Bevan who was born in the late Victorian era. While she may not be widely known, Christina was the daughter of the esteemed philosopher, Edwyn Bevan. Although little is known about her life, Christina Bevan holds a special place for me. By including her image in this article, I hope to pay tribute to her, and all women whose contributions and wisdom have been lost to time.