After this night's session--asking Kevin why Augustine assigned feminine pronouns to his soul, I was disappointed to learn that this was really just an accurate Latin translation based on "anima" being a feminine noun. I was hoping Augustine was connecting his soul to qualities that women possess, especially his mother's steadfast commitment to his conversion.
I guess I can still think that...
The notion of the soul as feminine is present in Augustine, but for other than grammatical reasons. There is all of the biblical imagery to support this idea as well as the Cupid and Psyche story known to Augustine from the North African author, Apuleius. The Neoplatonists understood the Cupid and Psyche myth as an allegory for the soul's flight to divine love. So, yes, you can still think this... and for good reason.
Thanks, Kevin!