Animism
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WHAT IS ANIMISM?
Animism, derived from the Latin word “Anima”, meaning “soul” “breath” spirit” and “life”. It is the belief of many indegeinous societies that objects, places and creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence in which all things, whether they are animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems or words are animated and alive. Animists believe all things have agency and are spiritual in nature with a unique soul where everything is part of nature and there is no distinction between the spiritual and the physical/material world. As such, no species is superior or separate and all must be treated with respect. One distinctive feature of animism is that there is no separation, no distinction between the realms of matter and the realms of spirit
WHERE DID ANIMISM ORIGINATE?
First coined in 1871, animism is a key feature in many ancient religions, especially of indigenous tribal cultures. It is a foundational element in the development of ancient human spirituality, and can be identified in different forms throughout major modern world religions. Anima is similar to “Prana” in the Vedic tradition and “Chi” in the Taoist tradition. Celtic Druids call this spiritual lifeforce Nwyfre, the Algonquians call it Manitou and iit s frequently referred to as “The Great Spirit” in many indigenous cultures.
Historically, philosophers and religious leaders have been trying to define the human spiritual experience. As early as 400 B.C., Pythagoras discovered the connection between the individual and the divine soul and set forth the belief that everything has a soul; not only humans. Other philosophers including Plato, Aristotle and Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote extensively on the connection between natural and supernatural worlds. In his philosophical treatise “Timaeus” Plato referred to this universal spiritual force as “Anima Mundi” where he states that “the world is indeed a living being endowed with a soul and intelligence, a single visible living entity containing all other living entities by which their nature are all related”. However, it was not until the publication of Primitive Culture by Sir Edward Burnett that the term Animism was used to describe the culture and practices that utilized this universal belief system.
Despite the fact that it is relatively unknown in the west, the understanding that everything (animate and inanimate) has a spirit is a widely accepted conviction in Africa, Asia, Tibet, Japan, Pacific Islands and South America. Animism is thought to be the belief system that laid the groundwork for the notion of a soul and the animation of traditionally inanimate objects, allowing every world religion to take those basic principles in other directions.
Though earlier philosophers such as Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas discussed Animism, the formal definition was postulated by Sir Edward Taylor late in the 19th century. Examples of
Animism can be found in many tribal or primal religions that have been in existence before the advent of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism. There are many such religions in East Asia, particularly in rural or undeveloped areas, island communities and among tribal groups or minority nationalities. Animism can be seen in forms of Shinto, Hinduism, Buddhism, Pantheism, Paganism, and Neopaganism.
WHY PRACTICE ANIMISM?
Animism is an ancient worldview at the root of spirituality and all world religion that sees human beings as part of an interconnected web of life that invisibility connects the seen and unseen worlds. All lifeforms, regardless of size, shape or mobility are divine creation and possesses the invisible lightforce of the Creator God
It is through modern religion, lifestyle, impudence and separation that Western civilization has become materialistic, indifferent, and disconnected. As human beings have lost relationships with community, family, the environment and all that is sacred - they have become almost “soulless”. The result is humanity’s collective sense that the sacred is no longer recognized and acknowledged as holy. This has been replaced with feelings of apathy, exploitation and superiority over other dominions and an insatiable drive for scientific progress, commercial gain and material prosperity with no consideration to anyone but the self.
Animism is a return to truth; appreciating and valuing all that is sacred. By acknowledging the perfection in all of creation, one witnesses the presence of God in everything. Life has more meaning, connection and appreciation.
HOW IS ANIMISM PRACTICED?
In Animist societies, everything on the planet as well as the planet itself has a spirit and a soul. Mountains, rivers and lakes are considered ancestors or family members. This spirit also lives in rocks, trees or animals and there is a giving and receiving of gifts such as communications about danger or offering of healing tools and remedies. Shamans (literally “one who knows”) are also known as medicine men and women, who serve as mediums between the physical world and the world of spirits. These gifted individuals connect with the spirit world (often in a trance or altered state) in order to bring about healing of individuals, the community and the planet.
While elements of Animism can be found in most of the world religions, it is principally practiced today in parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America by people who continue to relate to a tribal system. Although each culture has its own different mythologies and rituals, Animism is said to describe the most common, foundational thread of indigenous peoples' "spiritual" or "supernatural" perspectives. The Animistic perspective is so widely held and inherent to most indigenous peoples that they often do not even have a word in their languages that corresponds to "Animism". The term is an anthropological construct.
As Animism continues to evolve alongside humanity and more people wake up to the understanding that earthly events have spiritual causes and that everything is connected, the world will begin to experience greater harmony and love. Lives will have more value and meaning and there will be greater care given to the planet, food sources and relationships.
Animism Resources
Animism Videos
Animism Books
Graham Harvey | How have human cultures engaged with and thought about animals, plants, rocks, clouds, and other elements in their natural surroundings? Do animals and other natural objects have a spirit or soul? What is their relationship to humans? In this new study, Graham Harvey explores current and past animistic beliefs and practices of Native Americans, Maori, Aboriginal Australians, and eco-pagans. He considers the varieties of animism found in these cultures as well as their shared desire to live respectfully within larger natural communities. Drawing on his extensive casework, Harvey also considers the linguistic, performative, ecological, and activist implications of these different animisms.
George William Gilmore | Animism (from Latin anima, "soul") is the belief that souls inhabit all or most objects. Animism attributes personalized souls to animals, vegetables, and minerals wherein the material object is-to some degree-governed by the qualities which compose its particular soul. Animistic religions generally do not accept a sharp distinction between spirit and matter, and they generally assume that this unification of matter and spirit plays a role in daily life.Animism may also be understood as the belief that "the world is a sacred place and humans belong in such a world".
Graham Harvey | Graham Harvey explores current and past animistic beliefs and practices of Native Americans, Maori, Aboriginal Australians, and eco-pagans. He considers the varieties of animism found in these cultures as well as their shared desire to live respectfully within larger natural communities.
Graham Harvey | Animism is an important part of many religions - from Shinto, Hinduism and Buddhism to Paganism and a range of indigenous religions - which connects the spiritual and material and holds that humans might not be unique in possessing souls or in being intentional agents. Over recent decades, research into animism has broadened its scope to consider, at one end, the vibrant roles of objects in human lives and, at the other, the possible similarities between humans and other species. "The Handbook of Contemporary Animism" brings together an international team of scholars to examine the full range of animist worldviews and practices. The Handbook opens with an examination of recent approaches to animism. This is followed by evaluations of ethnographic, cognitive, literary, performative, and material culture approaches as well as advances in activist and indigenous thinking about animism. "The Handbook of Contemporary Animism" invites readers to think creatively and critically about the world around us and will be invaluable to students and scholars of Religion, Sociology and Anthropology.
Animism Classes & Learning
This course arises from guiding hundreds of days of ritual focused on relating with spirits of place over the past two decades. Participants will learn to more firmly anchor their everyday lives and rituals in animist values, be they newly crafted or from intact traditions. The approach is non-dogmatic and inclusive to people of diverse ancestries.
An Introduction to Animist Rising with Quynn Red Mountain
Those of us who feel drawn to “Animism” practice the ancient human tools that consistently show themselves in Earth honoring cultures, including: honoring the sacred circle, activating trance with a consistent rhythm, dreaming, honoring the Earth and Sky cycles, elements and directions in Nature, intuition, trance, soul restoration, ritual, interaction with spirit world, ceremony, divination, storytelling, connecting with animal and plant allies, blessings/prayers, dance and sacred singing. Each person consults their own Allies and Ancestors about how to practice these arts.
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