They are inseparable part6s of a unified whole, TTR.


Animus (Am HEr on-line):

1. An attitude that informs one's actions; disposition. 2. A feeling of animosity; ill will. See synonyms at enmity. 3. In Jungian psychology, the masculine inner personality as present in women.

The AmHer etymology attributes to INdo-European root amn, to breathe. The first definition is th emost germane to that derivation. Compare anima from the same root form:

1. The inner self of an individual; the soul. 2. In Jungian psychology: a. The unconscious or true inner self of an individual, as opposed to the persona, or outer aspect of the personality. b. The feminine inner personality, as present in the unconscious of the male. It is in contrast to the animus, which represents masculine characteristics.

It strikes me as most curious that the former term was degraded into meaning hostile animus only, don't you think? In any case there is a lot of room for empathy in the more basic meaning of both words.

Regards,

A