Understanding Animism
Animists might describe their experiences uniquely, yet there are striking similarities in our understanding. The term Animism, derived from the Latin anima meaning “breath, spirit, life,” signifies that all things possess a spirit or life force. We believe all beings, including animals, plants, inanimate objects, weather phenomena, and the Earth entity, possess a living essence, making us all equal strands in the sacred web of life. Unlike colonized views that regard non-human entities as mere objects, Animists recognize the living essence in all.
In anthropology, Animism refers to the life ways and cosmologies of humans worldwide, particularly before the rise of colonialism and monotheistic religions. Despite the diverse practices and rituals of different Animist cultures, foundational threads of spiritual perspectives are similar. These sacred ways of humanity are so fundamental that most animistic indigenous humans around the planet did not have a word in their languages that corresponds to “animism”.
While “animism” is a modern anthropological term rather than one used historically by Earth-honoring peoples, it serves as a meaningful descriptor for those of us seeking to reconnect with and reimagine needed practices today.
Living an Animist Life
Animism encourages each individual to see themselves as an equal part of the web of creation, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle and communicating directly with the living world.
Web of Life Animist Church invites those seeking a spiritual practice to explore life-ways commonly found in Earth-honoring cultures. Tools and practices include:
- Honoring the Sacred Circle: Recognizing the interconnectedness of all life.
- Trance: Using consistent rhythms to enter beneficial trance states for spiritual wellness.
- Dreaming: Embracing the wisdom found in dreams.
- Earth and Sky Cycles: Observing and honoring cycles of Nature.
- Elements and Directions in Nature: Connecting with the elements and cardinal directions.
- Intuition and Empathy: Sensing the energies of the world within and around us.
- Soul Restoration: Healing is needed after our soul is wounded by life.
- Ritual and Ceremony: Performing needed spiritual rituals and ceremonies.
- Divination and Storytelling: Using divination and storytelling to convey wisdom.
- Connecting with Inner and Nature Allies: Building relationships with allies in all realms.
- Blessings and Prayers: Offering Animist blessings and prayers for those who need it.
- Dance and Sacred Singing: Expressing spirituality through dance, rhythm and song.
Remembering Ancestral Wisdom
In these times, we are called to remember the knowledge our ancestors held and to understand what is needed for future generations. We each have unique gifts to share, and our contributions are vital. By embracing Full Circle Animism, we honor our past and prepare for a benevolent future, coming “full circle.”
Full Circle Practices
Embracing Full Circle Animism
Full Circle Animism is particularly supportive for those who are the first generation in their families to reconnect with Animism after generations of silence, fear, and denial. It encourages individuals to acknowledge their part in the sacred web of life and to unlearn unhelpful habits. By humbly listening to the wisdom of teachers within and around, practitioners can rediscover their ancestral knowledge.
We share these practices:
- Connection: All people are naturally connected to the balance of all time, the physical and non-physical worlds, and universal consciousness.
- Cultural Similarities: Across different continents and bioregions, despite differences in land, language, and appearance, human ancestors engaged in similar practices—using fire, gathering and hunting food, praying, loving and fighting, decorating themselves and their surroundings.
- Shared Heritage: Before human-based religions, Animist ancestors coexisted with all other beings on Earth for thousands of years.
- Inclusivity: No matter where you come from, you are a member of the Earth community and have natural intuitive abilities.
- Sacred Connection: As each person reconnects with their Sacred Nature, we help breathe life into our communities once again.
- Earth Protection: Our Earth is Sacred, and it is our role to be Earth Protectors for now and future generations.
Full Circle Cultural Values
We share these core values:
- Sacred Web of Life: Being part of the sacred web of life is both a privilege and a responsibility.
- Spiritual Communication: Unseen elements, helpers, and spirits can interact with humans, offering help or harm.
- Dreams and Visions: Powerful teachings & insight often come through dreams and visions.
- Consequences and Harmony: Harmony is natural, and disrespecting places and beings in Nature and Earth results in consequences.
- Gender Fluidity: Trans, non-binary, and gender-fluid deities, beings and ancestors are as natural and significant as male and female ones.
Our Story
Nature whispers to us, calling us to remember. Many descendants of these forgotten ways are being called in their dreams, synchronicity, sacred learning and intuition to rediscover their true selves and ancestral wisdom. While each human story is unique, our common ancestor is Earth.
We are re-aligning with ancient wisdom, creating Our Story.
“One of the great things Web of Life circles have shown me is how many others talk with spirits and explore spirit worlds. I thought I was alone and strange, but now I have heard many people’s stories. This has shown me patterns of health and disharmony, which has been good learning. It also revealed that the world is full of people like this, most of whom are something else besides what they pretend to be for a living.”
Circle Participant
Wind and Water
Stone and Stream
Ancestors calling to us
from the Dream.
“Remember” they whisper,
to the cells of our souls
“Remember the secrets of
Creatrix and Crone (of any gender).”
So we call to you butterfly,
snake, coyote and bat.
Honey bee, fish, beaver, bison and bobcat.
Help us old wise ones of wing, fur and fin.
We know you can help us remember our Kin
Those who knew how you speak
and who heard their own voices within.
So we ask in prayerful voices because our people have strayed,
we ask that you forgive us,
and help us remember
your ways.
Poem by Quynn
See our Statement of Beliefs HERE
This and other introspective audio workshops are available HERE
