Animism

​Animism is a popular concept in metaphysical circles; however, this is not the only subject it holds meaning for.
In psychology, part of Jean Piaget’s cognitive behaviour theory attributes animism to the way children (usually ages 2 through 7) project life like qualities to inanimate objects. So, for example, how they may feel their toys are alive and have their own thoughts and feelings, or how an object may not “like” them if they fall or stub their toe. Carl Jung also used the term animism; however, he used it to describe the dual archetypal images of the feminine and masculine aspects of our subconscious. He described the anima as the female aspect of a man’s subconscious which he attributed to qualities like empathy, emotion, and sensitivity. The opposite of this, then, was the animus, which he described as the masculine aspect of a woman’s subconscious which displayed qualities like intellect, exploration, and activity. It is important to note that every person has both feminine and masculine aspects. The quality we most often display can depend on each person, to varying degrees, and for various reasons. We express these aspects through our hobbies/talents/interests, and we can use them to gain new perspectives and knowledge about ourselves, our environments, and other people. He proposed that each person needed to develop and express both of these aspects in order to continue to “grow” as a person.
Spiritually speaking, animism suggests that everything, whether it is an animal, a plant, a place, or an object, has a “soul” or spiritual essence. If you practice any kind of pagan or earth-based practice, then this is kind of a given. We tend to treat all living things with respect, recognizing them as conscious sentient beings. We may also recognize the spirit of place (genius loci), the spirit of plants (particularly when we are growing them, or harvesting from them), and that everything has its own vibrational frequency, which could be considered its “spirit”. Which is why we talk to our animals and plants, leave offerings/gifts when we take from nature, and keep totems/figures of animals we wish to connect with/learn from, and voice our needs and desires to the gods/goddesses and the universe itself, because yes, it also has consciousness.
Psychology and spirituality are both topics I read/research regularly and in depth. Though I am aware of the concept of animism from both points of view, and have been for a long time, I always sort of took it for granted as “the norm”. I talked to animals and plants as child just as much I did my favourite toys. It never occurred to me that they didn’t answer back/communicate with me in some way. I still talk to animals and my plants. Did you do this as a child? Do you still do it? Did you know that that was what it was called? Do you come across this term/concept in your reading often?