Animated Images

Animated Images are not ‘animated’ in the sense that they are capable of movement. Rather, they are spiritually animated in the sense that they are imbued with ‘anima’- the Latin word roughly translating to ‘the breath of life’, and typically understood as a Spirit, or the Soul.

In the case of Animated Images in particular, it refers to the image having undergone a number of rituals to purify and make the chosen image suitable for inhabitation by a Spirit- usually of a Divine or spiritually significant nature. Such images are thereby considered to be ‘ensouled’ by the Spirits they were created to act as vessels for- though they are not the Spirit themselves. Merely a receptacle for it when present.

Animated Images act as meeting places of matter and spirit, providing tangible physical connections to the ensouled Spirits within the physical realm; a sanctified vessel through which said Spirit may be more easily known and communed with. This is especially useful for Spirits who lack shape, or who cannot be properly worshiped in their natural form. It is likewise useful for Temple spaces, and for ritual representations.

The creation of Animated Images, however, shouldn’t be taken lightly. While they may not themselves be Divine, they (and the rites used to create them) are still sacred. You are, by creating an Animated Image, creating a Sacred one. Thus, they should be treated and maintained appropriately. Too, are the considerations of their eventual disposal.

Spirits may be ritually unseated and no longer present within an Animated Image, but they are still by no means a neutral object. One cannot simply throw such an image away, sell it, or gift it after such a service. They must still be handled properly and respectfully.

It is strongly advised for these reasons, then, that practitioners only create Animated Images for Spirits that they’re particularly close to- which, for most, will be the two central faces of Divinity: The Lord and the Lady. Some may wish to create additional images for the four Elements of creation, and even one for Divinity itself. But this is a personal choice. The more Animated Images, however, the more work required to maintain one’s Temple.