Both the anima and animus are ancient archetypes (or raw forms of energy) that every being contains. 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. What is the Anima and Animus?įirst coined by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung, the terms “Anima” and “Animus” refer to the indwelling masculine and feminine energies that we all possess. And learning to connect with, explore, and balance each of these inner forces is crucial for our well-being. In psychology, these two polar opposite forces are known as the Anima and Animus.