What Is Animism?
Exploring all types of beliefs in all cultures, particularly indigenous cultures, is part of my spiritual journey. I think it's important to learn about the practices of all indigenous cultures, not only to learn about those cultures but also yourself. I believe the answers that we seek about the universe and this world are found in exploring ancient cultures.
When we explore ancient cultures we will come across practices and beliefs in those cultures that we may not have been taught in our matrix driven society. It is important that I understand all I can about those ancient beliefs and cultures through my own exploration. My goal on my blog is to pass along what I discover on my spiritual journey to help others either understand and learn something new or if they already know about it, to understand they are not alone and there are others who believe and experience the same things. We are all connected in this cruel society and can build a beautiful world together.
Today on my spiritual journey I am sharing a practice from many indigenous cultures. This is something that is not taught or shared, at least in my experience, and I feel it is important to share with my descendants and others. Today we are going to look at what Animism is.
Animism is the belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence. According to the dictionary animism is the attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena. It is the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe.
Animism is said to describe the most common, foundational thread of indigenous peoples' spiritual or supernatural perspectives. The perspective of animism is so widely held in indigenous cultures that they don't have a word for it in their languages.
The origin of the word animism comes from the Latin word Anima which means life or soul. The first known usage in the English language was in 1819.
In animist worldviews non-human animals are understood to participate in kinship systems and ceremonies with humans and each other. Indigenous cultures would do rituals before hunting and healing in which animals were involved. This is also applied with the flora as well, especially before gathering the flora for the people.
Basically since everything has a spirit or soul then our souls interact with them constantly. With that brings recognizing that the spirit or soul exists and respecting their presence in our everyday lives. Many indigenous cultures today as well as pagans make up the majority of people who believe in animism and live their lives showing respect for all forms of beings and objects in this world.
Before we gather fungi for medicine, take an egg for breakfast, use herbs or oils for rituals or spells, we should acknowledge the other spirit or soul, thank them for their contribution and honor it.
On my exploration to write this blog on animism I have discovered many different practices and customs on the topic from different cultures throughout the world. The depth of which can't be encompassed in this blog. I will break down the different aspects in future blogs.
So what can you take away from this blog? If you already practice or believe in animism then know you are not alone. I'm right there with you. If you don't, or had not heard of it before, then understand that we are living in a universe of multiple beings and objects who have spirits and souls just like us.
We do not know the spirit world like we should. We only know our avatar that our soul has inherited and our mind has been polluted and programmed with the thoughts and beliefs of the religious and political puppets of the matrix. There is so much we need to deprogram and understand.
When we interact with each other, or other beings and objects, we must understand that they have spirits and souls too. We must respect them. We must honor them. We need to understand that we are all connected, we all work together to help everything survive and prosper in the universe.
Animism. All animals, inanimate objects and natural phenomena have a spirit and soul just like us. Respect them and honor them.
Blessings!
By Michael Walters
The Ancestor's Fire
Writing the voices of the unheard
Comments