Animism is the Core Principle in Folk Magic
Animism as the bedrock for effective magic spells
Join me for CRAFTING THE ARCANE: Magickal Spells That Work—an immersive e-course series that bridges Eastern and Western esoteric traditions that starts Sunday, February 16. This dynamic live-stream program (with recordings) provides 12 monthly guidance points, delving into a wide range of spellwork categories tailored to individual needs. Together, we’ll explore the relationality of materia magica, the architecture and applications of spells, spirit collaboration, and the societal roles of sorcery—including protection and reversal to resistance and turning. Designed for both depth and practicality, the curriculum incorporates space for independent practice, spell reviews and group critiques to foster accountability, sharpening, and meaningful feedback.
In honour of this series, I’ll be sharing more frequently on IG (interspersed with blog posts here), exploring the classic botanicals and other potent materials that form the backbone of sorcery and folk magic—interwoven with insights from Daoist traditions.
And so today, I wanted to start with the core that holds it all: animism.
Animacy teaches us that everything is alive with consciousness—rocks, rivers, winds, and words. This principle isn’t abstract philosophy; it’s the bedrock of effective spellwork. (For more reading, check out these titles: Animism Is Not Poetry, Animism: How It’s Not All About Us, More Thoughts on Animism, You Are Raising A Teapot, Allies That Help Us Love Better).
🔍 In Crafting The Arcane, we examine animacy as the relational heart to all spellworkings:
How the Wu Xing (Five Elements)—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—govern energetic movement in spells.
Misconceptions about Yin and Yang as passive and active forces when they are dynamic, shifting states.
How acknowledging the life of materia enhances outcomes in petitions, incantations, and beyond.
How animism moves us to deconstruct the speciesism within ourselves, while equipping us to relate with darker spirit beings as well.
Learn more about CRAFTING THE ARCANE. Payment plans available. Financial assistance in the form of Partial Scholarships also currently available.
Following the spirits,
Mimi Young
Animist spirit medium + founder of Ceremonie