Anima Sola

By Crusader1307

An early concept of The Western Rite Catholic Church – ‘’Anima Sola’’ (or ''Lonely Soul'') was designed to illustrate a Soul in Purgatory. As We have discussed, Purgatory is a ‘’Spiritual Realm’’, designed to allow for the purging of specific Sins (not Mortal). Upon a ‘’pre-determined’’ time span., a Soul would be allowed to ascend into Heaven. Although not as widely used in Doctrine in most of the traditional Church, Anima Sola would be heavily adopted in Catholic Spanish Regions. Further, when Spain Colonized The ‘’New World’’ in the 15th Century AD, the concept would be transferred to Native Cultures which merged Catholicism with Folk Religions and Magic (such as Voodoo and Santeria). Traditionally, Anima Sola (when portrayed in Art), is a Female Form, often in chains (Sin), engulfed in flames (the ‘’purifying flames of salvation’’).