What belief system attributes natural occurrences to spirits residing in elements of nature?

Animism is the belief system that attributes spiritual significance to objects, places, and natural phenomena. In animism, it is believed that natural occurrences—such as storms, rivers, trees, and animals—are inhabited by spirits, which can influence the world in various ways. This belief underscores the idea that everything in nature has life or a spiritual essence, leading to a view of the world as interconnected and imbued with meaning.

Monotheism and polytheism refer to the belief in one god or multiple gods, respectively, and do not encompass the specific focus on spirits in nature. Agnosticism, on the other hand, involves skepticism about the existence of gods or the divine, rather than an affirmation of spirit-filled elements in nature. Thus, animism uniquely captures the essence of attributing natural occurrences to spiritual beings residing within elements of the natural world.