Anima(l)s: women, nature and Jung

Abstract

In this paper I attempt to find ways in which Jungian theory can support ecofeminism in its attempt to bring about a new, non-dualistic consciousness in order to balance up the current masculine economy. I begin with an exploration of Luce Irigaray's reading of Jacques Lacan's symbolic order, which Irigaray claims has denied women sub-jectivity within Western culture. Her solution, shared by Hélène Cixous and contemporary ecofeminists, is for women to resubmit themselves to the symbolic via maternal geneaology and nature, with nature offering the most effective means of critiquing and subverting the masculine economy. This suggestion has engendered accusations of essentialism, which I also explore and deconstruct using the theories of ecofeminist Susan Griffin and feminist writer Diana Fuss, as well as CG Jung's theory of archetypes. I then move on to consider Jung's notion of the anima, attempting to show how this controversial concept, together with certain types of ecofeminist theory, can open up possibilities for a new symbolic order for both men and women via a more embodied, embedded connection with nature.