Soul – A functional complex in the psyche. (See also Eros, Logos and soul-image.) While Jung often used the word soul in its traditional theological sense, he strictly limited its psychological meaning.
I have been compelled, in my investigations into the structure of the unconscious, to make a conceptual distinction between soul and psyche. By psyche I understand the totality of all psychic processes, conscious as well as unconscious. By soul, on the other hand, I understand a clearly demarcated functional complex that can best be described as a “personality.” [“Definitions,” CW 6, par. 797]
Soul and Individuation
With this understanding, Jung outlined partial manifestations of the soul in terms of anima/animus and persona. In his later writing on the transference, informed by his study of the alchemical opus – which Jung understood as psychologically analogous to the individuation process – he was more specific.
The “soul” which accrues to ego-consciousness during the opus has a feminine character in the man and a masculine character in a woman. His anima wants to reconcile and unite; her animus tries to discern and discriminate. [“The Psychology of the Transference,” CW 16, par. 522.]
© from Daryl Sharp’s Jung Lexicon, reproduced with kind permission of the author.
Reading Further, Going Deeper
Since Jung made a distinction between soul and psyche, it may be worth reading this about psyche.
The Individuation process has been likened to a Heroic Journey of sorts. Read The Heroic Journey – a Jungian Perspective.
Many people who have wanted to learn more about what their dreams may be trying to tell them engage in a Jungian analysis process.
To help you further explore this process:
Working with Jungian Theory and Practice looks at going deeper into Jungian work.
Jungian Analysis – an Adventure into the Self explores the topic further.
To learn more about me, see Jungian Analyst – Melbourne.
To listen to a podcast with Laura London in her Speaking of Jung series, check out this Podcast with Laura London.
In these days of online meetings and ‘social distancing’ due to Covid, it is not uncommon to talk online. To get in touch for an initial contact to see if it is possible to work with me, refer to my Contact Page for your initial enquiry.