I read this book once called “Knowing Woman: A feminine Psychology” by Irene Claremont De Costillejo, a Jungian analyst. In the book, she talked about the soul in us all as being distinctively feminine. When we look inside ourselves for soul we see a feminine resource. Think about many of the lyrics of love songs over the years — you would think that songwriters are all really experienced in relations with women and issues of love. They must have had a million girlfriends. The truth of the matter is that most musicians I’ve known are quiet, shy, and dedicated to their instrument rather than running around professing their love to women all the time, as one might think from listening to popular song lyrics. That’s not easy for most men, let alone a musician. They usually have a steady girl for long stints, yet an aversion to marriage, because their incomes are usually meager. The number of experiences in meaningful relationships with women are often small compared to all the singing they do about it — how much can a 20-year-old boy know about love? (I’m generalizing here to make a point, of course.) This author is of the opinion that the inspirational source for most love songs written by men (and women too, for that matter) are really written about, and to, their soul (similar to the concept that Jung called “the Anima”); an ideal rather than a physical woman. In many love songs, if you listen and substitute the artist’s own soul as the objects of their desire, you will find a more meaningful story. The love of, and the need and the desire for their own soul. . . to know, to love, to treasure, to hold and to die for. As an audience, we too are pining for the same relationship with our inner soul. We long to know her, and so we love a love song.

Now, the author of that book went on to describe that when we look inside and find a masculine force inside of us, it’s the soul’s guide. I’m inclined to agree. At any rate, I think the idea is thought provoking.

Steve and I both find this idea fascinating. I’ve heard him talk about it with other artists.

Delilah