Companionship >> Defining daemons

Defining daemons

Daemons themselves are, of course, core to the companionship aspect of daemonism; this part of daemonism involves meeting your daemon, and creating a bond with them.

But... what is a daemon?

This is actually quite a complex question -- not because there are many rules or guidelines to what makes a daemon, a daemon; but rather, because of the opposite!

Daemonism is a very personal practice. As such, what a daemon is, and is like, varies a lot between individuals. In fact, it's likely you could ask five different daemians what their daemon is, and get five completely different answers!

That said, there are some commonalities.

What is a daemon?

A daemon is a kind of mental, non-physical companion that represents an integral part of a person's mind or consciousness.

Daemons are defined by their deep, unbreakable bond with their person. Daemons are a part of their person: an aspect of their thoughts, their emotions, or even (to those who believe in it) their soul. The bond between a daemon and their person is a very special and unique thing. It's hard to put into words!

There are other traits common to daemons, too, but none are necessary for one to be considered a daemon.

On forms

Daemonism was originally inspired by Philip Pullman's novel series His Dark Materials, in which a daemon is a sapient representation of a human's soul in animal form.

As such, many daemons choose to use animal forms to represent and express themselves.

In His Dark Materials, the form a daemon takes represents, on some level, the nature of their human companion. The daemons of children are shapeshifters, flitting from form to form in a state of unbridled potential; but as the child grows, their daemon eventually settles into a single form, which shows the world who they really are.

Because of this, many daemons are shapeshifters. Some choose to eventually stop changing shape when the pair find a fitting form; others continue to shapeshift, though with one or a few forms recognised as being fitting. And other still choose never to seek a true form, but rather enjoy the freedom of being unsettled!

However, these are not rules and not all daemons will choose to represent themselves as such! Some daemons prefer to represent themselves as humans, or as non-animals (whether temporarily or permanently).

Form does not define daemons. Daemons are defined instead by the nature of their connection and bond with their person.