dreamlike sequence of real or imagined images

For context, 'identity categorization' is like the original Dark Materials books, wherein people have souls in the shape of an animal for reasons relating to their personality. So this is closer to things like MBTI, D&D alignment systems, ennegram, personality quizzes etc. 'Pluralism' is what I see a lot more of today, at least here on Tumblr in the daemonism tag, and is about the concept of being more than one entity inhabiting a single body. Pluralism was mostly not an idea in the daemonism community at any point I was active in it, so I don't know how or when it became what I mostly see these days. I know Tulpas were a fad in the mid 2010s, and that there was overlap with daemonism, and I see Tulpas still come up in plural discussions... But I'm not plural, so I don't know the extent of the effect. I pretty much only know when 4chan was obsessed with them some time ago

Steller’s jay stealing sweetener packets

Daemonism is a practice. The concept of it can be used by anyone: alterhuman or not, plural or not. It can be pure playfulness. It can be imaginary, and that's okay! That's a beautiful experience in its own respect!

There's no universal daemian experience because we accept and embrace that our minds, and our experiences, are ours alone.

The community isn't built on a shared experience – just a shared idea which we all create unique versions of.

Some people stick closer to the basic idea we started with. Some just take what they like from it and throw out the rest. Some only take vague inspiration from it. Some people adapt it more than others, sometimes due to being neurodivergent, plural, and/or alterhuman.

It's still daemonism because daemonism isn't defined by us all "doing the same thing" or "having the same experience".

Daemonism is, for the most part, defined by a person deciding that they want to call what they are doing or experiencing daemonism.

And a large part of that is often in connection to the community, whether directly or in a peripheral way, by taking inspiration from the practice, making use of the community's writings, and so on.

This is why I think daemonism is often misunderstood in an alterhuman context. Daemonism is not an experience, it's not an identity – it's just an idea we each take and make our own. And that's what it should be. That's the beauty of it!

Anyone could be a daemian if they want to. There's no requirements. A lot of people get started with daemonism purely because it sounds fun! A lot of people start with only their imagination, and many people remain so.

For others, it might become something else in time, or they might discover there was something underlying their imaginings all along. It's no more or less a practice of daemonism, either way.

A lot of alterhuman concepts don't apply to daemonism because of this. Fact is, there's plenty of daemians who are orthohumans too, and plenty of people who specifically see their daemonism as an orthohuman practice.

I see it get included under the alterhuman umbrella a lot, and I feel like it gives the wrong first impression to come at it from that angle by default.

Really, it's more comparable with being a furry. For some people, it is a deep, impactful, life-altering experience, and the people who feel that way are a vital part of the community. But equally, for some it is an exercise in whimsy, playfulness, or creativity – and those people are no less members of the community for it.

We're not united by being plural, or having thoughtforms, or being alterhuman. We're united by being a bunch of people who were inspired by some books (or a film or TV show) to play around with the idea of daemons, and ended up sticking with it for one reason or another.

Daemons are the internal personified version of the second half of someone’s mental dialogue or subconscious. They tend to fill in the role that is needed most. 

The mind is really powerful and a daemon is a powerful tool if cultivated. There is admittedly not much that I know of for reference from a purely psychological viewpoint. There are health benefits, growth benefits, and companion benefits.

Daemons tend to be dormant until needed or the time is right to cultivate. They are very similar to daemon software if thinking of the brain as a machine strikes your fancy.

They can analyze things from an opposite perspective or release frustrations to the world without any risk. That analysis or release will show you how you really feel rather than what you think you should be feeling. They are a way to get in contact with your subconscious and desires.

How about self-help and positive affirmations? Daemons used as a therapy technique is very common. If you read any self-help book you will start to see how easily the inner workings of a daemon match or work flawlessly with suggestions and techniques given. Your subconscious seems to have already been equipped and these people are telling you what you already know.

Then there are those who switch out with their daemons. Parroting or actually swapping between them and their daemon. Becoming your daemon is quite freeing for both parties involved. It helps get frustrations out or powers you through difficult situations or personal hesitations.

There are a few similar concepts, like the self-schema, that radiate daemon energy. But I’m afraid I don’t have those sources built up enough yet to share.

--- What are daemons?

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[Daenominations]

Orthodox

Beliefs about daemons that are often considered old-fashioned, canon compliant, or "classic". (ex. Daemon's gender is the opposite of yours, settled daemons no longer change form, only having one daemon, and no human forms)

Modern

Challenges the original canon framework. (ex. can have same gender daemons, multiple daemons, human forms, and never settle, or form doesn't have to reflect the daemian.)

[Waves]

Waves (or progression of daemonism) created by @ Saewin. Please see the original post here for more information. Please, it's really good.

Keep in mind, while the community is currently in Wave 3, you may follow any of these for yourself and still be considered a valid daemian.

Note: These are not really used within the community, but I think it would be fun if we did.

Wave 1: Canonical

"The books define it" - Follows closely to canon rules and beliefs about daemons from HDM. More spiritual connections and beliefs.

Wave 2: Prescriptivist

"We define it" - More prominant belief that daemons are a mental construct instead of spiritual in nature. Further removed from HDM canon.

Wave 3: Post-modernist

"I define it" - Restrictions on what defines a daemon has been decreased and classic rules are now seen more often as guidelines. Other types of headmates can call themselves a daemon if they feel the role fits.

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