Anima

Anima is spiritual essence, the subtle energy that pervades all matter. Anima flows out of Heaven via white fountains, and is drawn into the Void through black maws. Within the Sea of Chaos, anima is purified and returned to its primal state. Then it coalesces into the Abyss. This cycle ensures that anima is constantly renewed, flowing through Creation. Anima is eternal and is the substance of spirits. All living beings contain anima. When mortal beings die, their anima separates from their bodies and journeys into the Aether. Spirits subsist on anima, though they cannot in fact devour 'souls,' the core that anchors anima and gives it identity. When mages work magic, they expend anima, reaching out with their souls to seize the Skein and reshape it. Anima acts on spiritual dimensions just as 'carna,' physical substance and forms, acts on Orbis and the material plane. Anima that is harvested and stored for later use is called deodand. 
Category:Magic