---
title: What is Core Animism?
description: "The culture-neutral core of animism: the aspects of animist teaching that are (near-)universal rather than specific to any one culture: the Original Instructions, fierce egalitarianism, respectful right relationship with the other-than-human people, equal respect for the masculine and the feminine,…"
url: "https://www.therapeutic-shamanism.co.uk/wiki/what-is-core-animism/"
updated: "2026-11-10"
category: Glossary
---

# What is Core Animism?

The culture-neutral core of animism: the aspects of animist teaching that are (near-)universal rather than specific to any one culture: the Original Instructions, fierce egalitarianism, respectful right relationship with the other-than-human people, equal respect for the masculine and the feminine, treating all as sacred, living as a Leaver rather than a Taker. The parallel of Michael Harner's 'core shamanism', and its necessary root: shamanism is a branch of animism, so a culture-neutral shamanism has to be grounded in a culture-neutral animism, with no borrowed regalia required.

## Where does this come up in the wiki?

These answers say more about it:

- [What is the relationship between animism and shamanism?](/wiki/what-is-the-relationship-between-animism-and-shamanism/)
- [How is Therapeutic Shamanism different from traditional and core shamanism?](/wiki/how-is-therapeutic-shamanism-different-from-traditional-and-core-shamanism/)
- [What is Therapeutic Shamanism?](/wiki/what-is-therapeutic-shamanism/)
- [What is animism?](/wiki/what-is-animism/)
- [How does working with the Peoples change how we live?](/wiki/how-does-working-with-the-peoples-change-how-we-live/)

## Where can I find the other terms?

Every term used across the wiki has a short definition in the [glossary, A to Z](/wiki-glossary/#core-animism).