Shamanisms are a set of beliefs and practices centered around the conviction that shamans can communicate with spirits, heal illnesses, and foretell the future. Synonyms for shamanisms can include animism, spiritualism, sorcery, and magic. Animism is a philosophical theory that all things, including inanimate objects, have a spiritual essence and are therefore worthy of respect. Spiritualism is a religious movement that believes in the existence of an afterlife and communication with the dead. Sorcery involves the use of magic spells and rituals to achieve a desired outcome, while magic refers to supernatural powers and phenomena that are beyond logical explanation. Each of these words provides a different context for the belief systems and practices associated with shamanisms.