Signatures are the first level of animistic forces. A signature is an intent, or a process, that exists independently of the animating force, acting upon material objects.

For example, a magic user on Ljëne can make a spell that heals a wound, provided that they continue to concentrate their energies on it. This is not a signature. If, however, they do enough concentration beforehand, they can create a spell that will continue to heal a wound regardless of what the magic user is doing.

Signatures can be counteracted by other signatures, and newer forms of the same type take precendence, allowing the former ones to fade away.

If a signature is performed enough times in exactly the same way, to the point at which it could become a subconscious thing for a magic user (although that's not required), then it becomes a spirit. Rituals in Ljëne are utilized to make signatures have even more lasting impression once they turn into spirits.

Any intent given by an animating force with a sufficient enough amount of free energy given to it will turn into one.