Waxing Femininity: Adult Female Development from the Perspective of C. G. Jung’s Psychology

A Danish bestseller for over four decades, Pia Skogemann’s Waxing Femininity is now available in English, republished by JUNGIANEUM: Re-Covered Classics in Analytical Psychology. First published in 1984, the book came out at a pivotal time in Jungian theory when female post-Jungians critically evaluated and expanded Jung’s ideas to better reflect women’s experiences, particularly in the context of second-wave feminism. While Jung made strides in exploring the feminine psyche, his work—and that of his early followers—was often shaped by patriarchal norms. Skogemann challenges these outdated views and offers an empowering perspective on female individuation. In contrast to the traditional “hero’s journey” celebrated in Jungian thought, she highlights the distinct path women take in finding their identity. Re-interpreting Jungian concepts like the anima, shadow, and archetypes through a modern feminist lens, Skogemann uses case studies, dream analysis, and literary examples to vividly illustrate the development of feminine identity, from girlhood to womanhood, as women navigate relationships and self-discovery.