In an African folk tale, the otherworldly enchantment of a heavenly woman nearly destroys a young man, but he is saved by the love of a plain girl from his village. Depicting the role of the anima—she who animates and gives meaning to a man's life—this tale teaches the lifesaving importance of distinguishing between the light and dark animas. In Lying with the Heavenly Woman, acclaimed author Robert A. Johnson discusses the manifestations of the anima and other feminine archetypes in men's lives and illuminates men's relationship to femininity through myths, stories, and anecdotes. With insight and clarity, Johnson shows that the consequences of failing to differentiate between the various feminine elements present in every man's personality can range from mid-life crisis to incest and suicide—and reveals that properly recognizing these vital elements can allow a man to find meaning within himself and fulfillment in his relationships with others.