Yin and Yang, the sacred marriage:

Anima and animus in the individuation process

Abstract

This article intends to demonstrate the importance of the integration of opposites proposed by Chinese philosophy and the individuation process of analytical psychology, in view of the direct influence of this idea on the creation of the archetypes anima and animus described by Carl G. Jung. A bibliographic study with emphasis on qualitative methodology was used to analyze the consequences, for women, of the dissociation of the female (yin) and the male (yang) dimensions, assuming that the individuation process represents becoming one's own self. The human essence contains in itself both polarities, so that there is a complementation of these dimensions, which should be dealt with internally so that the sacred marriage can take place. Without the integration of the opposites the individuation does not occur, and it may result in a negative anima (that will tend to repress actions, feelings and sexuality); furthermore, by rejecting the wisdom of intuition, like a negative animus, will turn women into moralizers, full of dogmas and inflexible to other's opinions, with aggressive tendencies, and prisoners of their own beliefs and judgments. Therefore it reveals to be fundamental for women's mental health and quality interpersonal relationships, the need to rescue the sacred female archetype, and the welcome and integration of male virtues.