Spirits
In this animist tradition the world is alive with presence.
Wind, stone, memory, and imagination are animated—not by distant gods, but by spirits that embody the forces at work in every phenomenon.
All spirits emanate from the following principles:
| First Principle | Role |
|---|---|
| The Arche | Undivided origin — ground of all presence |
| Chaos | Open potential — boundless space where forms can arise |
| Chronos | Linear time — one‑directional unfolding that frames events |
1. A Web of Relationship
Spirits do not stand alone.
Each is an expression of a larger whole, and boundaries are porous: moonlight can carry memory; a mountain can echo Gaia’s fertility.
Names differ across cultures, but the underlying presences remain.
Apparent overlaps are layers of one living reality, not contradictions.
2. Spirit Classes
| Class | Scope |
|---|---|
| Great Spirits | Cosmic forces, elements, human faculties |
| Local Spirits | Landforms, waters, cities, weather patterns |
| Ancestral Spirits | Lineage and cultural forerunners |
| Creative Spirits | Inspiration, craft, innovation |
3. Nexuses and Shrines – the material anchor
| Term | What it is | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nexus | Place or object where a Spirit is physically embodied | Makes the Spirit’s presence concrete and recognisable |
| Shrines | Deliberate structure that houses a nexus | Maintains the ongoing human–Spirit relationship |
| Seals | Mark or symbol fixed to the nexus | Focuses and affirms the relationship |
- Natural nexuses (e.g., mountains, springs) exist without human action.
- Created nexuses (carved images, dedicated objects) become active only when sealed and enshrined.
- A shrine provides boundary, care, and ritual focus; a seal anchors identity.
4. Practising Relationship
This framework is descriptive, not prescriptive.
It guides practitioners to:
- Identify which Spirit’s indicators appear in a place or event.
- Locate or establish the corresponding nexus; seal and enshrine it when appropriate.
- Tend the relationship through regular care—offering, cleaning, seasonal attention.
The structure may evolve as experience deepens, but its goal is constant:
to keep our relationship with a living world clear, practical, and reciprocal.
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