Two Men, a Woman, and a Fish

In a dream, two men stand on a river shore with fishing rods, casting for fish. On the other side of the river, a woman comes out of a cave, plunges her hands into the water and brings up a fish, flashing silver. 

This dream image shows two methods of fulfilling what is needed. It introduces us to the realms of the masculine and feminine functions and the intelligence that accompanies each, which is what this lecture is about. The feminine is at home in the world of the unseen; she lives in a cave and reaches into the depths for nourishment. The masculine moves and lives in the visible outer world; he obtains sustenance and shelter by using tools he has crafted.  

In 1912, Jung’s essay entitled “Two Kinds of Thinking” was published. He identifies these styles of thinking as non-directed and directed, associative and logical, unconscious and conscious. One is linked to instinctual knowing, the other to mental capacity. Like his era and our modern one, women’s way of thinking has been seen as inferior to men’s. The men’s rational approach was, and still is, highly valued. Women’s inclusive perspective is often discounted. Yet both have much to contribute. When each is acknowledged and taken seriously, we, as individuals––and life itself––are enriched.

The lecture will consider these differing types of intelligence and forms of thinking. Use of the terms “feminine” and “masculine” is intentional. They refer to the feminine and masculine principles in the human psyche. As Jungian terminology, they express many qualities that are natural to females and to males in general, but they are not exclusive to either sex. Any person can develop both kinds of thinking and intelligence.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Peggy Voth is a local Jungian analyst and clinical social worker in private practice. She received her degrees from the University of Calgary and her analytic training from the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts in Toronto. Her book, The Nature of Woman: When the Feminine Is Ready, the Masculine Responds, is part memoir, part practical psychology. Published under the author name of Peggy Funk Voth, it was released in March of 2021.