Animism and Shamanism

[WarriorZhanna]

I have been reading previous threads about Shamanism and Animism, but I'm still confused. What's the difference between Animism and Shamanism? Because I know it's kinda similar to Shamanism, but how similar?
So, I'd like a clear, concrete answer if that's possible, please.

Blessings and Light,
~Moonchild

[Simply Puzzled]

I have been reading previous threads about Shamanism and Animism, but I'm still confused. What's the difference between Animism and Shamanism? Because I know it's kinda similar to Shamanism, but how similar?
So, I'd like a clear, concrete answer if that's possible, please.

Blessings and Light,
~Moonchild

I noticed this thread got stuck at the bottom with no replies, and it's a good question.

It's a shame how little animism is talked about, considering how central it is to many pagan cultures. Simply put, animism is the belief that allows shamans to work. Animism is simply the belief that everything, or most things, or even just a whole lot of things have spirits. Usually this is coupled with the idea that those spirits should be respected. For example, many so-called "primitive" cultures make offerings to trees before they cut them down to respect the spirit whose home they are taking and allow them to find a new one. Respect must be given to the spirits of ancestors, natural phenomena, and living creatures.

It is the shaman's job to act as an intermediary between the spirits and humans. For example, suppose the proper rites aren't performed and the rain spirits withdraw their gifts. It would be the shamans job to find the rain spirits and go "Hey, guys, this isn't gonna work; we gotta have a talk." They can also ask the spirits to heal someone, request favors for themselves or the tribe. Of course, there are also a lot of malevolent spirits that need a good ass-kicking from time to time, and shamans are good for that too.

[Eleisawolf]

In other words, one COULD say that all shamanistic paths are based in animism, but not all animists are shamanistic.

Make sense?

Peace

[skilly-nilly]

In other words, one COULD say that all shamanistic paths are based in animism, but not all animists are shamanistic.

Make sense?

Peace

I don't think you could even say that...................

Animists believe that lots of /many/nearly every things has a Spirit or Being, but the belief doesn't necessarily include communicating with the Many Spirits. It often does, but it's not implicit.

Shamans believe that they can talk to Other-Worldly Beings, but that doesn't necessarily mean that there's converse-able Spirits in lots of things. Some cultures have Shamans who talk to Deities, but in Animism there are a lot of Other Spirits besides just personifable Deities.

Animism and Shamanism often occur together culturally, that is the specific cultures that have Spirit-Speakers are often cultures that follow a form of Animism.

But I think both are stand-alone beliefs in the purest sense.