creativity

Art is a collection of creative practices that can be used as tools in animism.

Art is part of fundamental human expression, and has been intertwined with animism since the beginning of human existence. Art includes painting, sculpting, singing, dancing, poetry and storytelling; the most primal of our languages.

Art as an animist practice allows us to step out of our restrictive language and behaviour codes, exploring the wilder and numinous sides of our natures. It gives us the tools to express things that are beyond words, like feelings, experiences, visions and connections.

Art both depends on and strengthens all of the principles of animism. It gives us a way to work with reality directly, explore our relationships deeply, practice the courage of being open and authentic, and make contact with our untamed natures.

Art is a great tool for when:

We need to communicate or record feelings or experiences too intense to express in words.
We’re working to honour and nourish a relationship.
We need to re-claim our own feelings and perspectives.
We need a reminder in our environment of an experience, relationship or teaching.
We want explore a difficult, complex topic more deeply.
We wish to share the beauty and power of our experiences with others.

To use art as an animist practice, we simply need to choose a medium and give ourselves some time.

You can use any artform that will work for you, from sculpting clay to felting wool to writing poetry to impromptue dance. The art that you create doesn’t have to be perfect; we aren’t focusing on creating saleable ‘pretty’ art, but on expressing authentically.

For more about creativity and imagination in animism, join the free 12 week Foundation in Animism course here:

Crafting in the context of animism is making objects or art that is influenced by and serves our animism practice.

We use crafting as a practice to embed our animism practice into our practical lives and our bodies. It allows us to express ourselves beyond words; through texture, sound, colour, shape, weight. Crafting is how we take our experiences and make them solid, to see the beauty in them.

Crafting is especially helpful when:

You need a special object for an altar.
You need an object to carry or wear with you, to remind your of an experience or teaching.
You need to fully embody a relationship as part of honouring it.
You need to explore an experience, going beyond words.

Beyond working within sacred space, there’s no method for crafting; use whatever tools and materials you have at hand, or whatever feels appropriate. You can use fabric, wood, metal, stone, fur, bone or clay. You can sculpt, draw, carve, weave or mold. Keep the experience or relationship close as you work, letting your feelings about it guide your hands.

For more about how to use crafting to create your own sacred objects, join the free 12 week Foundation in Animism course here: