Animism

Animism is the belief that places, objects, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Animism perceives all things-animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and in some cases words-as being animated, having agency and free will. Animism is used in anthropology of religion as a term for the belief system of many indigenous peoples in contrast to the relatively more recent development of organized religions. Animism is a metaphysical belief which focuses on the supernatural universe: specifically, on the concept of the immaterial soul.