Download The Animist Tradition

Animism, Shintoism, & Gaianism
A World of Spirits
Kinship with all creation…
“The visible is the natural and cultural environment, of which
humans, always in the process of transformation, are at the
center. The invisible connotes the numinous field of
ancestors, spirits, divinities, and the Supreme Being, all of
whom, in varying degrees, permeate the visible. Visible
things, however, are not always what they seem. Pools,
rocks, flora, and fauna, may dissimulate invisible forces of
which only the initiated are conscious.”
Fisher, M.P. (2005). Living Religions, 6th ed., Pearson, Prentice
Hall, NJ.
The Animist Tradition
The word Animism finds its origins in the Latin word anima
which means “soul” or “life. Theologically, animism refers
to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings,
or at least embody some kind of life-principle.
Animism encompasses the belief that there is no separation
between the spiritual and physical worlds. Following from
this, souls or spirits exist not only in humans, but also in
animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder,
geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other
entities of the natural environment.
Surrounded by spirits…
 In animist tradition, living spirits
inhabit all parts of the natural
universe.
 Most often, powerful animal
spirits are the focus of worship
or ritual practice.
 Served to protect or torment
people.
 Animist practices are found in
almost every religious tradition.
Sacrifices to the spirits…
 Nearly every animistic tradition
includes sacrifice rituals
 Sacrifices can be food stuffs,
wine/liquor, animals, tokens, or
other items.
 Some Central and South
American societies included
human sacrifice rituals as part
of their animistic religious
practices.
Shinto: Japanese Spirit Worship
Most theologians do not recognize animism as a distinct faith.
Instead, they argue that many faiths incorporate animistic
beliefs into their own teachings or doctrines. Contrary to
this, Shinto, or “Way of the Gods” represents a faith that is
focused almost entirely on animism itself. The traditional
faith of the Japanese people, Shinto holds that spirits of
nature called Kami surround people and have a profound
influence on the course of their lives. Properly honored,
these Kami are believed to act as creators, preservers, and
protectors of the Japanese people.
 In Japan, humans are believed to be
surrounded by Kami who demand to
be honored and respected.
 Kami can be found everywhere.
Connections to nature…
 A key component to all animistic
traditions is the innate connection
between all things in nature.
 Most people cannot understand the
complexity of the relationship between
nature and the human spirit
 Shaman, or “Holy” men and women act
as conduits between the spirit world
and the world of human beings.
 Healers (“Medicine Men”)
 Guides
 Portals or Mediums
 Oracles
 Prophets
Shamanism