SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST

© Marta Szymanowska - Animus in Latin means spirit and anima means soul. © Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project © Marta Szymanowska - A woman who harnesses the fierce male energy and takes the initiative. View all images ↓
View all images ↓
Report issue

Based on the symbolism of the concept of yin and yang and the psychoanalysis of Carl Gustav Jung, I tried to find my Animus - the internal masculine element that complements me.

The slope is motionless, fixed in vast ossification, chilled by deathless breath. The fossilised plants merge with the darkened ground, silently surrendering to the general numbness. Overwhelming dampness, rustling and deep green give the impression of an ancient tenderness of existence, they are longing and anticipation, given up by the moon as emotional ballast. Everything is only probable, nothing has happened yet. A simple stream of white suddenly crosses this landscape. It marks its path inspired by persistence, a desire for change. The sun blurs the green, even though it does not disturb its physical structure. The sun is a living presence, a soothing longing, an arrival and an overflow. Every shadowy sharpness is softened and stratified, the blades of grass regain their resilience and in a swirling sway begin their effort to live, their effort to grow. The air fills with a warm and gritty serenity. The phenomenon is transgressive. It transforms and balances.

There is a masculine and a feminine energy in each of us. The full development of these two elements, their harmonious action, indicates where we are in our inner development. Eastern philosophies take into account the concepts of ‚yin’ (passive female element) and ‚yang’ (active male element), the two forces from which the universe is created. In Western culture, Carl Gustav Jung was the first to state that every man has a feminine side- the Anima, and every woman has a masculine side- the Animus. Most of us strongly suppress these aspects of our personality, but for full development we need to balance them within ourselves.

© Marta Szymanowska - Animus in Latin means spirit and anima means soul.
i

Animus in Latin means spirit and anima means soul.

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

Rock is a symbol of strength and stability, traditionally seen as masculine qualities, while water is identified with yin, the feminine principle. Additionally, the vaginal-shaped rock symbolizes the contrast and coexistence of both of these elements.

© Marta Szymanowska - A woman who harnesses the fierce male energy and takes the initiative.
i

A woman who harnesses the fierce male energy and takes the initiative.

© Marta Szymanowska - The seemingly strong male figure, when we look at it, turns out to be a wax figure.
i

The seemingly strong male figure, when we look at it, turns out to be a wax figure.

© Marta Szymanowska - Shadow is identified with the feminine yin, light with the masculine yang.
i

Shadow is identified with the feminine yin, light with the masculine yang.

© Marta Szymanowska - Fire is a reference to yang.
i

Fire is a reference to yang.

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

Amethyst symbolizes harmony, and peace. It helps develop your spiritual abilities and discover the deeper meaning of reality, especially for Pisces, like me.

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

The color red symbolizes yang, male energy. In turn, a braid is perceived as a typically feminine hairstyle in our culture. The photo shows that there is an Anima in every man.

© Marta Szymanowska - Rings are a symbol of power, decisiveness, i.e. the qualities I am looking for in myself.
i

Rings are a symbol of power, decisiveness, i.e. the qualities I am looking for in myself.

© Marta Szymanowska - Lightning as a symbol of Zeus, who is the archetype of father and leader.
i

Lightning as a symbol of Zeus, who is the archetype of father and leader.

© Marta Szymanowska - When looking for my Animus, I relied on the theory of archetypes based on the figures of Greek gods and goddesses.
i

When looking for my Animus, I relied on the theory of archetypes based on the figures of Greek gods and goddesses.

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

Ourobos - a symbol of infinity, eternal return and the unification of opposites. The snake biting its own tail indicates that the end, in a process of eternal repetition, corresponds to the beginning.

© Marta Szymanowska - Red Tree - Red is the color of yang, while the tree symbolizes yin.
i

Red Tree - Red is the color of yang, while the tree symbolizes yin.

© Marta Szymanowska - The pomegranate fruit symbolizes Persephone - my archetype of femininity, which I discovered while working on the project.
i

The pomegranate fruit symbolizes Persephone - my archetype of femininity, which I discovered while working on the project.

© Marta Szymanowska - Amazons are an example of women who have integrated their masculine element and are not afraid to fight for their ideals.
i

Amazons are an example of women who have integrated their masculine element and are not afraid to fight for their ideals.

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

The entangled solar system shows the process of finding your archetype (the Roman names of the gods correspond to the names of the planets).

© Marta Szymanowska - Image from the SOUTH SLOPE, NORTH COAST photography project
i

A massive building full of splendor contrasts with an airy curtain. Two elements exist side by side, creating an intriguing whole.

© Marta Szymanowska - Proof that a man can also find his gentle Anima within himself
i

Proof that a man can also find his gentle Anima within himself

© Marta Szymanowska - Anima means soul in Latin.
i

Anima means soul in Latin.

© Marta Szymanowska - At the end of this search, he, the Animus, appears in all its glory.
i

At the end of this search, he, the Animus, appears in all its glory.