What is Animism? 

*Note1:* If you think this video contains useful information and want to translate it to your own language, please follow this link: ru-vid.com_video?v=W_f_KezSMog&ref=share *Note2:* Other videos you might enjoy, related to this: *Cult of the Ancestors - Honouring the Dead:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OX9g2DUc4IQ.html&t= *A Gift calls for a Gift - The Circle of Gift Giving:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0Mzy2xjCgC4.html&t= *Megin - Spiritual Essence:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OQu2TGLBRWo.html&t= *Hamingja - Walking in Shapes:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-24YCU_aL8XM.html&t= *Norse Spirituality - The Parts of the Self:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qOP8MSLQjRc.html&t= *Talismans in Norse Witchcraft:* ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bbsxcm95lpM.html&t=

"We stopped caring about this world because what was more important was life after this world" That is a powerful line just on it's own.

Thank you Arith Harger. My life makes sense to me again. As a young child I knew the woods were alive with spirits, visible and unseen. I imagined us living together on the giant head of yet another entity. Now as a woman of some years, I can return to the woods and never doubt myself again.

I'm happy to say I'm an Animist! 🤍🍃

paganism is "a transformation to adapt the spiritual to the human reality, while animism is the human that adapts to the spiritual"... so beautifully put, and so true! thank you

This is the first time I heard someone say what I have felt my whole life, and I am 71, with a degree in anthropology and religious studies, amazing. I'm so thankful I have lived long enough to be glad of what I think, and believe.

This is fantastic explanation of Animism and explains perfectly why I turned to Paganism and spirituality after 28years of being an Atheist (or at least Agnostic). For me, religion has taken a form of a complete appreciation of nature and the world and the ecosystem and my attempt to reinsert myself in it and very mindfully take actions that I know will cause a ripple effect in both my own life and the lives and spirits of everything around me. The idea of gods to me is a way to channel my appreciation but the core reason I have begun to follow the ancient traditions is the very act of appreciating and participating in the ecosystem that surrounds us. Where modern religions think towards the future at the expense of the present, I want to be present at all times. Thank you for your video!

So thought provoking, and yet it's like remembering half forgotten dreams. The truth of it resonates so highly that it is calming and exciting all at the same time. Thank you

Thank you for this video. It is helping me on my spiritual journey. I left Catholicism years ago, and at 23 I have never stopped searching, especially in the stories of my ancestors and my family. Even as a kid, I always hated church, and said that I only felt God in nature. Finding this interpretation of the myths, understanding animism and it's truths, is so profoundly fulfilling. I am slowly but surely learning, and sharing these principles with my family to help them follow with me into the woods 😁

I gotta say man. You are so well spoken, educated, and passionate about everything you talk about on here and I am learning so much from you. I just want you to know that I truly appreciate you and what you are doing.

I've been delving into paganism on and off my entire life, but constantly find myself not able to align with deities--whether in literal form or archetypal. But I have a deep love and respect for nature. I've come across animism many times too if course, but again felt very turned off by the idea that everything has a spirit. This is the first time I felt like I began to understand animism and I'm in my 30s... But it's definitely a huge part of my personal belief system. Thank you, I love your content!

Thank you very much. You've made many great videos, this one is my favorite. This is where I feel I stand spiritually and you've done an excellent job at articulating what I've been thinking and explaining what our ancestors believed. I would love it if you could make more videos along these lines, maybe expanding on this one and delving into shamanism. Again thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate this video you're very knowledgeable individual.

Fascinating and thought provoking, thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

I'm an archaeology student and I've just done an essay on animism and the concept of other than human person. Wish I had seen this video earlier!

I believe that everything in this world is connected somehow. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and opinions, regards.

This was awesome. So many great points and it truly only scratches the surface. For me, I think mass production has destroyed the connection we once had to material objects; the importance of an object in regards to harboring the essence of its creator/maker. I'm not sure if that feeling falls under animism, but it feels like it fits. I personally do not worship a deity since walking away from Christianity. Why replace one master with another? For me, the Norse deities fulfill a communication need by personifying spiritual responsibilities or human nature. For example: My role in my family, my daily responsibilities are personified in Frigg. My hunger for knowledge is personified in Odin. My connection with the spiritual realm/world/plane is personified in Freyja. I do not worship them but rather acknowledge the personification of something that is rather difficult to sum up without their personified names. I apologize if this sounds like the ramblings of a crazed individual. It's quite hard to put into words what one feels spiritually. Thus the personification of these things through deities. They make it easier to discuss the spiritual aspects they represent. :)

Thank you , Arith! I felt you help me under the relationships between these spiritual and religious concepts, so thank you for taking the time and energy to paint/draw this perspective! 😊

I have struggled with resolving this for a long time, thank you for this perception and insight! Makes much more sense.

Standing ovation! That was GREAT! I am about to share this with every person I know who is of a similar mindset.

Your youtube channel is a real TREASURE to me, Arith Harger. I am finding my own spiritual path and I want it to include honoring and working with the old gods of our noble ancestors. Thank you very much for everything that you do.

This is like my 3rd time listening to this, each time I hear and take something new from it. Thank you Arith for what you do.

Very interesting! Your criticism of the impact of the Abrahamic faiths on the world we live in is spot on.

Every video you put up, I think, "This one is my favorite one." Thank you for all the effort you put into the videos. There is so much I would not know without your gift of storytelling.

Such a wonderful explanation/introduction; I've used similar descriptions but never so well as this. Thank you once again Arith x

Thank you Arith, for being such a wonderful, passionate, generous teacher - you are so appreciated!💗

At the start of the video, I thought: "This had better be good!" At the end of the video, I thought: "That was very good." I think you explained it as well as it could be explained in words in that amount of time, and you tempered well the inevitable feelings that arise from knowing these comparisons. To be honest, more words over more time would not necessarily help much, either. You could describe examples, but it must go soon to direct experience to be really learned. Even to sit and watch the lifetime of a single campfire with one who knows its kind is some help. This is a bit of telling, perhaps: A while back, I was discussing functions and perspectives of the practitioner with a senior occultist/witch. I compared ceremonial/spellwork/high magic with what I do (approx): "When you do a spell, you start as yourself, you strive to maintain yourself, and you expect to remain yourself throughout, and still be yourself at the end. This power of self is the essence of the practice, and the magic you do is to help yourself or your will for others in the world in some way, guided by your own wisdom. This is how you wield power, and why you (must) always seek more of it. "When I go out, the first thing I do is essentially lose myself into the environment, and I don't expect to be the same self when I return -- I am not trying to remain 'me'! -- and what comes back may not be quite the same creature as what went out in the first place. I trust the power of Nature to make me what she wants me to be, to wield her will by her own wisdom. Then, as long as I am seeking after what she wants of me, it is her will and her power that must be reckoned with." Also, when talking to theists (including pagan priests & practitioners), I have sometimes described the relationship like this: "You give offerings and rituals to your gods, to ask for good luck or fate in the hunt, or to fish, and sometimes they can give it to you. I ask the Forest, and I ask the Lake, and they give me what they can spare of the bounty they have, and they direct my ways accordingly. I go without guarantee of what I will receive, only that it will suffice." These things are not a matter of humility or arrogance -- for either can lead one astray. It is a matter of how the magic flows. It is not a matter of holiness or profanity, nor even of knowing and remembering -- for such things are but whispers on the winds, subject to overturn. It is a matter of communion, of Becoming where we are. To some extent, and when done well, it is about finding the world where the possible has become the inevitable, the art of Navigation. Thank you for being you, and for your good work. You are a boon to the tribe :)

Beautifully put. Thank you once again for simultaneously being educational, straight-talking, and uplifting and motivational! My family and I love watching and discussing your videos.

Thank you truly for making of this video, this was truly information i needed to hear💚

This is really what I've been looking for. While it seems like most pagans come from a deity-centric point of view, for me, I approach animism as the bedrock of my paganism. I have never believed in gods (whether I desire to or not), but I cannot deny the depth of wisdom contained within places rich with life, such as forests, rivers, and oceans.

This is one of my favorite videos that you have made Arith. Thank you for sharing about Animism and how it fits within both history and the contemporary world. Your work and voice are much needed. Thank you!

Thank you for this video! I often explain Animism to people but never as well as you just did.

I just stumbled onto this from literally nowhere, with no knowledge of or even foresight... Like it fell from across the universe, into my domain and in my lap, like a little grain sized meteorite... Hitting me directly dead-center in the head.... My mind is so friggin blown.... 🗿 I know a lot of sheeet, but this is a first... I've studied Sumerian, Egyptian, etc, etc... THANK YOU BROTHER!!! God Bless and Godspeed!!!🌻🙏🏽🙌🏽 Semper Fi

Beautifully said, thank you for yet another great video, Arith! Also, the adorable goats at the end! 😍

Really beautiful, and I love to hear how passionate you are about this spirituality! I'm somewhat new to the ideas of paganism and animism and I really liked this explanation. I might have to come back later to watch it again and take notes. :)

Thank you for this. The world needs this. I have been animist instinctually my entire life without knowing it. Great job thanks again man.

So happy that ive found your channel, seems ive come full circle. Thankyou for eeking all of this out by the roots. It is Greatly needed and appreciated 👍 ( i paint bird portraits)

wow, what a video Arith, I even got emotional here with that little ending too, and you speak everything and the truth, in the beginning before joining Germanic paganism, I even had some difficulty still about animism and I thought it was only the Gods and that's it, then I learned and saw that they were there, and after we reconnect with nature and everything around us, that happiness really returns. and watching this video gave me a better view than I had before, and I know that the video is very old and you won't see it anymore I really appreciate it thanks arith.

This is excellent. Thank you for taking the time to explain all of this. I love your informative videos on animism they are, by far, my favourite.

Thank you so very much for this video. There was a missing piece for me how you explain and link religion to animism and about the gods being human to start with. Glad to have found your channel 🙏🏻💚🌱

Thank you Arith!! You helped me to understand animism more fully, and so much more 🖤

Plenty of excellent points, reviewing many things I have learned but that we all tend to lose track of in our perceived-necessary involvement with the modern world and its characteristic perspectives. Thank you for making the video and covering those points - useful new learning and/or helpful review, depending on how informed the viewer already was prior to taking it in. I want to come back and listen again from the beginning, feeling that I will get more out of it the second time and wanting to give attention with a fresh mind and without distractions.

Direct and to the point, I like that! Love your interpretations you express! Expanding Knowledge.

Once again a fantastic video from my favorites archaeologists and spiritualists. Give help me come a long way in my journey from converting from Christianity to paganism and understanding. I thank you so much for all your hard work.

Thank you for this enlightening take on spirituality. My favourite video to date!

Thank you very much for this Arith. As always.

I love youuuuuuu! Your a wonderful person and I’m grateful to have found your page!!!

Thank you for this post. You explain things very well and in a way that makes sense and is easy to listen to. Subscribed and look forward to more.

I've been a "pagan" for many years, and with much thanks to your videos, I am just now finding what really pulls at my heart. Finally! New youtube subscriber, and new patreon subscriber. Your work is important and I am grateful for it!

Thank you for this video i am very glad i stumbled upon it. Ive had my personal beliefs for a long time from personal experience's that have been the main reason i have made it as far as i have in life. Animisim really fits in with my experience's and larger view on life and has even made more sense of aspects in life that still remained unsettled on. Animisim is an area my spiritualism truly fits well in. thank you again for making these very interesting , informative and awareness opening spiritualism.

Great Video as usual ! Thanks to enlighten us!

Beautiful setting for this video, nature suits you well, Mr. Arith! Your words sound good with such beauty! Videos on the outside look great, congratulations!

You've hit the nail on the head again here Arith! I even have pagan 'friend's ' who don't understand this concept but you can't expect those who only follow something out of fashion rather than feeling to understand.

WOW! I loved this immensely. You're speaking my language . I've had these same thoughts and realizations before... Then I forgot some of it. Thank you for the reminder. It was very refreshing.

Such a great, thorough explanation of Animism! Thank you!

I subscribed to your channel yesterday and watched a handful of videos. This is by far my favourite. So well told, so full of knowledge and humour and also sad truths. I finally understand why trying to get into the neo-pagan movement never felt quite right to me. Thank you for making these videos and sharing your wisdom!

For once; I'm very happy with RU-vid's suggestions. Love your channel and subscribed to it.

great video! I needed that clarification. Big help. and thanks for the scientific correlation :)

Thank you my brother, very informative and easy to overstand. Keep up the good work 👍🏼

Superb explanation of "Animism", going to share this one everywhere I can!!

I really like that your content has gotten longer :) keep up the great work!

incredible video ! I really think the worship of the earth and everything in it is the most important thing with heathenry. Every deity is just a representation of a nature element in most case. We must reconnect to the earth itself. Thanks again for your incredible work !

Thank you so much for this video! It helped me understand a lot about my own beliefs and the things that I was confused about. ❤ Looking forward to watch more of your videos. 😊 Very educational.

This explains what I've known in my soul to be true all my life. You explain it so beautifully.

This is a brilliant video! So valuable knowledge✨Yes animism is a way of thinking. We are part of the nature and we all should be thankful to it and showing respect . Thank you very much.

I can't describe how greateful I'm to find your videos. Thank you so much !

Your closing comments cut right to a place inside of me . I know I will listen to them a few more times . It strikes me as a deep truth and very healing to realize .

That was a wonderful talk - and for me words that ai needed to hear tonight. 💛🪶🦋

Bravo, bravo! I'm one's again delighted with all you're knowledge! The way you put the subject, the view, your posture, congratulations your amazing!

Very amusing, very informative, very colourful, I've thought the videos from this channel to be. But the more of them I watch, the more I appreciate their level of seriousness, a level nonetheless couched in a genial and hospitable presentation.

As the ancient Celts said "where there's water, there's life, where there's life, there's a spirit" So, many places were holy and respected. whether it was forests, lakes, rivers...

Thank you, mr Härger, this was a presentation much appreciated🙏 Greetings from the far North ( Finland)

I love your videos. Always insightful and inspiring!

Mr. Arith, I forgot to tell you what I feel wen I see the lessons you made, I feel peace on my heart and a strong reason to live and love the nature, the 🐐 are lovely ! Thanks for all, see you on the next video!

I love all of your videos.this information is so vital to the future generations.i log and scribe all my knowledge I find and hope to one day write a book on the subject.

This was so informative and refreshing, and helpful to my studies, just discovered your chanel , thank you 🦋

Loved this video. This is one of my favorites.

Those last 10 minutes ( the conclusion) was really nice!

thank you for this video , also I liked that you moved locations actually !

Thank you for doing these. Thank you for doing this one especially. It helped me with a lot of things, it helped me understand myself better as well. Blessings Be

I’m so grateful for this video. You’re a blessing to your tribe- local and global. Thank you.

All my thoughts and point of view in a video. Your words make so much sense for me.💚 thank you .

I just wanted to say how much I love this channel. That's all. Thanks.

Wonderful talk, and enchanting landscape. Somatic and verbal casting gains approval from the thunder gods at 09:00 😀

I really enjoyed this video from the beginning till the end! nice work!

Brilliant. Thanks for this. Perfect timing for me to watch this.

This was a wonderful video. I really enjoyed this information. Thank you!

Hello Arith, I have to thank You for covering this. Subject. It's been the most amazing/ life changing thing to happen to Me that I can see the world around Me, for the last few Years. Its. rough when You feel alone and no one else can. relate. I can see the Souls in the Trees and Plants, old family Pics, everything is written on. The soul on Your right is scratching His Head and looks like Shrek lol, but literally there are countless, thank You for being truthful and a great Teacher. John in Yucca Valley Ca.

Brilliant! I have learned so much tonight. Thank you

⚡️🌼YAY ANIMISM! 🌼🌟. Beautiful Intro! GORGEOUS backdrop. 👏🏻 👏🏻

This was beautiful and deeply inspiring. Thank you for sharing this knowledge 🙏

A beautiful communication as usual brother. Thank you

Just discovered your channel. It is wonderful. Thank you.

I loved this video and i would love to see more like it.

Great video once again dear arith! the differences between monotheism and politheism are much deeper than merely the number of worshiped gods.

Excellent video! I know I'm a little late to the game here (I'm just finding your channel). I'm not sure if you are at all interested in post structuralism; but I thought give your interest in Animism I thought you might be interested in Jane Bennett's Book Vibrant Matter, which argues that it is more philosophically correct and adaptive to understand all things (including inanimate object) as processing agency. I'm personally really happy to see the ideas of animism slowly returning to the world through a verity of vectors. Thanks again for all of your thoughtful commentary I'm learning a lot and discovering deeper ways to think about my own practice.

What a great video. Thanks a lot. I think that I'm beginning to understand my self a little bit better now. I didn't know before but I can rely on so many things u said. Thank u for open my eyes. Greetz from Germany.

Cara, já faz bastante tempo que penso dessa forma sobre a realidade do espírito estar neste mundo mesmo, e que a necessidade de reconexão com algo perdido inato ao ser humano se deve a este distanciamento que nossa cultura nos coloca da natureza. E de como as religiões usam isso para dizer que este sentimento é sobre um mundo espiritual fora deste. Recentemente maratonei 4 videos da série da varinha branca, e me identifico com vários exemplos que vc da sobre o início da caminhada no sentido dessa vivência com a terra e suas pessoas. Sou brasileiro e moro no Brasil, que não é a terra dos meus antepassados, mas esmo nesse contexto acho possível ter uma relação íntima com a terra. Comecei nessa caminhada sozinho mesmo, com rituais que eu crio "da minha cabeça" e depois descubro que alguém faz igual, inclusive me sinto assim sobre várias recomendações que vc faz na série da varinha branca. Muito bom saber que não é só viagem da minha cabeça, valeu!

Wow man this is so beautiful, thank you so much!!!

I don't have words to explain what I feel, it's wonderful and very inspiring see your videos, I believe in your work, it seems serious and responsible! Thank you Mr Arith, I wished you good look

This is such a powerful truth, not just a message to be shared.and will resonate with people so easily ( for a very good reason I’d have to say) this was so perfectly explained by you that I don’t know how anyone wouldn’t know and deeply feel how we have all truly overlooked and been led astray from what is truly important , meaningful and purposeful in this life and where our power, praise , energy and respect should always be focused first and foremost 💙🌎💙