What is Animism?
Animism offers a profound lens for understanding our place in a living cosmos, a way of being that pulses with life.
Far from a relic of our ancestral past, or a worldview that is only possible for those who have maintained their ancient connections to the land, animism is a vibrant, timeless perspective that recognises sentience and agency in all beings, humans, animals, plants, rivers and mountains. It’s a way of seeing the world as a living, breathing community where everything is interconnected and participatory. Rooted in the wisdom of Indigenous cultures and echoed in modern ecological and psychological thinking, animism invites us to listen to the ‘voices’ of the natural world and rekindle our intimate and reciprocal relationship with all life.
Contemporary animism, as anthropologist Graham Harvey describes, as a way of exploring this worldview for our times, is about “relationships, respect, and responsibility” towards all life. It’s a philosophy that challenges the mechanistic view of nature as a resource to exploit, instead bringing us into conversation with the land, skies, and creatures that shape our existence. At Animate Earth, we see animism as a bridge between ancient practices and contemporary challenges, offering a path to heal our fractured connection with the natural world.
Animism & Science
Animism is not at odds with science, it complements it.
Deep ecology, consciousness studies, quantum mechanics, systems theory and holistic science echo animist principles by revealing the whole Earth as a dynamic, self-regulating and intelligent system. This is a concept central to Gaia theory, as championed by the late Dr Stephan Harding, our founding advisor, whose work was key to our own formulation of contemporary animism. Stephan advocated for an expanded science that balances rational inquiry with intuitive wisdom, recognising the planet as a living entity worthy of respect.
Similarly, Rupert Sheldrake’s research into morphic resonance suggests that all beings share a field of consciousness, connecting us in ways that transcend material boundaries. Iain McGilchrist, another Animate Earth collaborator, emphasises the need to balance and use both sides of the brain, to blend analytical reasoning with the intuitive and more relational awareness that animism nurtures. These perspectives affirm that science and animism can converge, offering a more holistic and relational framework to address ecological crises and rediscover our place within the natural world.
Art, Music, Story & Ritual
Through art, music, ritual and ceremony, we enter into a deeper conversation with the world.
Folk singer Sam Lee weaves stories of the land into his music, inviting audiences to hear the voices of the forest. Sharon Blackie, mythologist and psychologist, uses the old myths and folk-tales to reconnect us with the sacred landscapes of our ancestors, reminding us that every hill and stream carries a story.
Making beauty on the land, through land-art, as practiced by eco-activist Trebbe Johnson and Hanien Conradie, is an ancient way of engaging with places in order to restore balance to the natural world and transform our own grief into opportunity for connection.
Divination & Magic
In a world often stripped of wonder, animism rekindles the magic of existence through divination, ritual, and mythology.
African Sangoma Colin Campbell, a central voice at Animate Earth, teaches that divination—such as reading bones or communing with ancestors—opens channels to the unseen, guiding us toward harmony with the natural world. His work reminds us that magic is not escapism but a practical tool for navigating life’s mysteries with respect and intention.
Angharad Wynne, a storyteller and cultural historian, draws on the Brythonic traditions of the British Isles to highlight the role of nature-based spirituality and the myths and stories of the land in helping us to navigate in modern life and times of uncertainty.
Indigenous Wisdom
Animism is not new. It is the worldview of our ancestors and Indigenous peoples worldwide.
Pat McCabe, of the Diné Nation, teaches that animist practices honor the sacredness of all life, guiding us toward balance and reciprocity. Tiokasin Ghosthorse, of the Lakota Nation, emphasizes that language itself carries the Earth’s voice, urging us to listen deeply. These traditions remind us that animism is a way of being, rooted in respect for all living things.
Listening to the Land
Animism calls us to steward the land with deep listening, participation and reverence, principles echoed in regenerative farming and the honoring of sacred sites.
A partner, the Oxford Real Farming Trust, a beacon for sustainable agriculture, showcases farmers and growers who treat soil as a living entity, echoing animistic respect for the Earth’s vitality. Together we run podcasts that focus on land stewards who are starting to listen to their land in an animistic way.
Stephan Harding’s ecological philosophy at Animate Earth emphasises deep-time connections to place, urging us to protect landscapes as kin. We remember our sacred sites—stone circles, ancient groves—that reawaken our sense of belonging, inviting rituals that renew our commitment to earth’s healing, health and spirit
Contemporary Voices
Our collective is enriched by diverse perspectives.
David Abram, a cultural ecologist, explores how our sensory perception and language deepen our bond with the Animate Earth, inspiring fields like ecopsychology and somatic body-work.
Manchán Magan traces Ireland’s animist heritage, unearthing Irish mythology and a language that pulses with the land’s rhythms as he invites us to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors. Manda Scott’s historical and contemporary narratives reveal ancient wisdom for modern crises.
These voices, alongside others, show animism as a dynamic force, philosophical, cultural, and practical, that guides us towards remembering the possibilities of our relationship with nature in these times.
An Invitation
Animism is a call to action, and we invite all of you artists, eco-activists, conservationists, philosophers, farmers, geomancers, diviners and everyone who believes that a deeper relationship with the natural world is possible, to join our collective.
Whether you’re a painter capturing the spirit of a forest, a farmer listening to the soil’s needs, or a geomancer like Patrick Macmanaway “The Land Whisperer” attuning to subtle energies, your gifts and experiences have a place here. We all have a different piece of the giant puzzle we need to fit together in service of a thriving future.
Engage with us through our courses, retreats, and events, where you can explore animist practices, share your wisdom, and co-create a world that thrums with aliveness.
Visit our Courses & Events page to learn how to participate.
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delving deeper into relationship with Our Animate Earth