What Is Animistic Witchcraft?

Curious about animistic witchcraft? Wondering how animism plays a role in spells, rituals, and other magic?

Animism is the core of my magical and spiritual practices; everything I do as a witch and pagan is rooted in this foundational worldview.

Animism is the knowledge that everything is alive and imbued with spirit.

Everything — not only humans or other “living things” such as animals, plants, and insects — but also rivers, lakes, rocks, mountains, the wind, the sky, and even human creations like tools and buildings.

While this may sound far-fetched, throughout most of human history, we were all animists. As indigenous religions around the globe have been displaced by dominant monotheist religions, these belief systems were lost in many places.

Today, animism primarily lives on in the cultures of Indigenous Americans, Australians, and other communities.

But it is also being reclaimed by those of us whose ancestors lost connection with the old ways — including modern pagans and witches.

Truth be told, I believe that most folks who identify with the title “witch” (and other closely related terms) usually already are animists, whether they are aware of it or not.

But in my experience, becoming aware of the animistic worldview and taking more conscious steps to embrace it — not only in ritual, but in everyday life — can greatly enhance the witch’s spiritual and magical practices. So with that…

What Is Animistic Witchcraft?

If an animist is someone who knows that everything has a spirit, then an animistic witch is someone who practices magic within the parameters of that worldview.

Witches work with all kinds of tools: candles, crystals, herbs, bones, runes, tarot cards, cauldrons, chalices, knives, twine, scissors.

But to an animist witch, these tools are more than just tools — they are beings worthy of respect and right relationship.

These beings are not mere “things” that can be controlled or exploited; they are sacred spirit allies that witches can build relationships and actively collaborate with.

As an example, let’s say I am performing a simple candle spell that involves anointing a chime candle with oil, rolling the candle in herbs, then lighting it while focusing on my intention.

There are many spirits who I must partner with in order to make that candle spell as effective as possible!

I might welcome the ancestral or collective spirits of the herbs I am using into my sacred space, and ask them to share their powers with me — be it the power of banishing, abundance, or good fortune.

For instance, I can call in Rosemary and Mint, in addition to “awakening” the rosemary and mint in my incense burner (note the difference between capitalized Rosemary and lowercase rosemary, denoting the difference between a specific, individual herb and the collective or ancestral spirit of that herb).

I might also welcome the spirit of Fire into my sacred space, giving thanks for Fire’s transformative power.

Lastly, I might gently tap the candle and whisper, “Awaken, candle!”

(Just like us humans, other spirits can and do lie dormant, and are not ready for work at all times. Waking up the spirits of your tools before working with them for the first time can make your magic more effective).

Animistic Witchcraft & Right Relationship

Ultimately, I know the powers of these spirits belong to them; they do not belong to me, and therefore I cannot take, utilize, or control them without permission.

(Though our society’s affinity for imperialism may tempt us to think otherwise, animists know better.)

This is the essence of right relationship: it means recognizing the sovereignty of all spirits, listening for and respecting their boundaries, and giving thanks for the gifts they choose to share with us.

One way to express gratitude to spirits that you work with is through offerings.

Just as you might give offerings to ancestors or to gods and goddesses, you can also give offerings to the plants in your garden before harvesting them, or to the spirits of planets when working planetary magic.

Offerings do not have to be expensive or elaborate. As a devotee of the Norse god Odin (who according to the myths, breathed life into the first humans) the primary offering I give to my set of runes is my own breath.

Introducing yourself to the spirits you work with is another way to practice building right relationships.

This is an especially important practice when you acquire a new magical tool that you plan to use regularly, such as a crystal, a dried herb bundle, or a set of runes.

Introducing yourself can be as simple as saying, “Hello Elder Futhark runes, my name is Celeste Larsen. I am a witch and I look forward to working with you.”

Where animist witchcraft gets really fun and funky is when we expand this way of thinking outside of rituals and spellcraft.

A Whole World of Spirits

For instance, your house or apartment (like all places) also has a spirit — as well as many individual spirits that dwell within.

Imagine the possibilities you might unlock if you were to begin building a relationship with your home — perhaps by saying hello and goodbye when you come and go, or asking your home if it approves of your remodeling ideas (and actually respecting the answer).

In return, your home might be more willing to bestow its own protective or calming magic.

Even folks who don’t tend to believe in spirits or magic can usually feel the difference of a well-loved space versus one that has been neglected and abused (and not just because of the visible markers; there is a palpable energy to places that humans are naturally very good at sensing).

If the above concepts and practices sound strange to you, all I ask is that you give them a heartfelt try.

With even just a small mindset shift and a little bit of practice, you may very well have your eyes opened to entire world of spirit allies that you never noticed before.

Not only does animism open the door to a whole new way of living that is more connected and enchanted than the one our modern culture promotes, but it also has the potential to make your witchcraft practice both more effective and more fulfilling.