Animism — Core Concepts and Practices (Brief)

Key Concepts

• Animism is a religion centered on a life force or spiritual energy that permeates everything.
• The spiritual world coexists with the material world; everything has spirit or energy.

The Unseen World: Hierarchy

• Hierarchy of the unseen world:
  • Mara
  • The Supreme God (Gor)
  • Lesser Gods
  • Spirits
  • Ancestors
• The Supreme God (Gor) is described as omniscient, eternal, and righteous creator.
• A mediator exists between the Supreme God and the world.

The Sacred

• People
• Places
• Words
• Actions
• Rituals
• Magic / Divination

The Present and Core Beliefs

• The present is an important focus in practice and life view.
• Life force pervades the universe; beings interact through this energy.

Themes in Animism

• Community-centered life
• The spiritual world
• Power
• Pragmatism
• Transformation / Transportation
• Holistic view of life
• Stories
• Fear
• Taboo / prohibitions

Animistic Practices

• Taboo and prohibitions (practices to maintain harmony with the unseen)
• Rituals and everyday actions as expressions of belief
• Magic and divination as methods to engage with the spiritual realm