Archetypes in Relationships: Understanding Anima and Animus to Show Up as Your Best Self

Have you ever stopped to think about how you show up in your relationships? The human psyche is complex, and Carl Jung believed that it was composed of three components: the ego, the personal unconscious, and the collective unconscious. From the collective unconscious comes archetypes, which organize how we experience certain things. One such archetype is Anima and Animus.

Anima is the inner feminine in men, while Animus is the inner masculine in women. Most people are unconscious of these two inner forces, and as a result, they end up being ruled by them. To make the anima or animus more conscious, it is important to develop a clearer understanding of what is masculine and feminine, what you find attractive, and what your ideal partner looks like.

For most men, the ideal partner is feminine. However, both the feminine and masculine aspects are needed at the right times. When a man integrates the anima, it gives way to a more caring figure. When a woman integrates the animus, it gives way to a woman with a capacity for assertiveness and deliberation. The anima/animus represents the "true self" rather than the image we present to others.

However, issues can arise in relationships when there is an imbalance of power. Anima-dominated men tend to believe everything their animas tell them, mistaking the inner feminine voice for some kind of truth. These men become sensitive new age males and often end up with animus-dominated girlfriends who boss them around.

Being aware and conscious of the anima and animus can give you the power to step into how you show up for yourself and your partner. Think about your relationship with your other half. As a man, are you leading the way or being led? By understanding these archetypes and how they affect us, we can show up as our best selves and create healthier, more fulfilling relationships.