Just like anything else brought into life, dæmons are nameless until given a name - so you and your dæmon must decide on theirs together.  I warn people to make sure he or she agrees to and likes the name, and note that it's rarely a common human one like Robert or Krissy.  Dæmon names tend to be distinct from people's. Why are they different? Well, it may be because we've heard our fellow man's name so many times before that it doesn't seem appropriate for something so precious (so separate from the world) to be given a familiar title.  It may be because we want our dæmon to have a name that's as unique as we are. The dæmon isn't confined to a name that's acceptable by society's standards, and thus deserves a title that's special and fits your liking.  Some examples from my friends are: Parallax, Celierra, Jade, Haithus, Atreyo, etc.

The full dæmon name often has a respectable aura about it. We call this the formal name, since most dæmons are instead called by a more personalized nickname by their human. While the formal name represents all the complexities of a dæmon, I would say the informal name reflects that day-to-day love and friendship you share. Maybe calling our dæmon something more familiar reflects not only our closeness, but also how we don't take ourselves too seriously. Your dæmon isn't Pantalaimon, it's your dearest Pan.

But to contradict what is above... it's also come to my attention that the dæmon may have a predestined name: one that's been within us all our lives, rather than one that's chosen. Some people have said their dæmon told them their name, but often this isn't the case. You may want to ask your dæmon what he or she "feels" is their name, and give them time to ponder it. There's also no shame in giving them a temporary nickname. It has been to many people's advantage to just play with sounds and syllables they like until something sticks. In my case, I said my dæmon's name at random, and he knew it was right. When it came to his formal name, I got it from the book Firebringer. But I don't feel as though I stole that name, so much as Rannock had always been my dæmon's name, and seeing 'Rannoch' in text helped me realize it. So your options are: decide on one together, ask them what it is, or simply wait and have it reveal itself to you. Either way, your dæmon will eventually possess a name if you want them to.




Yes. Of course I can, but not in the same way I see the computer screen that's in front of me now. He's not physical in any way, shape, or form (unless you count myself). I don't see him with my eyes so much as I see him with my imagination, in my mind's eye. But I don't think about it anymore. It's gotten to the point where projecting Rookie is an entirely unconscious effort, and you can get to that point, too.

A few people are under the impression that you learn some dimensional trick with your eyes, and then see your dæmon clear as day. But you can't. To "see" your dæmon you must purely envision him or her and project that body outside of you. In layman's terms: You're imagining something that isn't there. The way you would see an imaginary friend is the same technique for seeing your dæmon, because you must remember they're internal - not invisible, but inside unless we imagine them otherwise. So if you had imaginary friends as a child this will probably come easily to you, but if you've never had an easy time imagining things outside of your mind, don't expect envisioning your dæmon to be any simpler - it'll take work. I can understand if you're frustrated because it feels forced or made up in the beginning, but your dæmon will prove itself to be more than a forced creation. Don't give up on him or her so quickly. And you'd be amazed how over time you won't even notice the difference. Your dæmon standing proudly beside you as a lion, hearing the feline say everything's going to be alright, and experiencing the world in the company of that lion (or whatever your dæmon might be).. if you love that feeling, you'll keep at it. Sooner or later (probably sooner) visualizing him or her will come naturally.

Note: I cannot say this enough... You don't need to waste time trying to decipher your dæmon's settled form ahead of time. It's more important to know them than to know their final form, and more than likely he or she isn't settled yet anyway. See your dæmon as any creature you want to start off with, and go from there. I would suggest an animal you're very familiar with the appearance and movements of. Your dæmon will change shape of its own will, but you may have to give it that starting form. Remember, there's no fancy trick. You're just using your imagination, so my advice for "seeing your dæmon" will be the same for, well, imagining an animal by your side. Just get plenty of references if you need 'em.

Also, many beginners find it easier to imagine their dæmon out of the corner of their eye, because the illusion's lost when trying to look straight at them. I would definitely recommend this trick to anyone who's having trouble projecting their dæmon right in front of them.




You talk to your dæmon every day, or at least them to you.  Everyone communicates with their dæmon on a subconscious level. Without this they'd be mere animals being run by instincts and impulses. Knowing your dæmon just makes these conversations more direct. You'll start recognizing what words are your dæmon's and which are your own; you'll find what was a fleeting mental note was actually a comment from your dæmon. Remember, he or she is the other end of your internal dialogue: that faint voice that you think of as yourself, and nothing more.  No matter how quickly the answer springs to your mind when you ask yourself a question, the responding thought may be your dæmon.  (May be because it is possible to conduct mental conversations without your dæmon, but usually they're adding some input.) To speak with him or her in the way you probably want, you need to envision their form outside your body (which is explained above).

A lot of people make this harder than it is.  Your dæmon IS you.  You know each other inside out before you even have your first true conversation.  He or she knows your friends as well as you do, knows that embarrassing moment that happened a few years ago, dislikes the people that you dislike...  Whatever you think they're saying, they are saying.  You'll never misunderstand him or her unless you misconstrue what they said.  You cannot hide secrets from one another, so it's impossible to not understand what they're saying. If you try to see the form as your dæmon speaks, and give it time, it'll eventually come naturally for both of you.  "Talking" to your dæmon means acknowledging the dialogue going on in your mind, (not a meaningless monologue), and letting that other voice develop its own persona, so as to better understand yourself.

Note: In case it's unclear... you don't HAVE to see your dæmon in order to speak to them. I just figured that's the best way for first-timers to learn to distinguish between their dæmon's voice and their own mental one.

Edit: To give some more examples... The dæmon is often that voice yelling something like "You friggin' idiot!" after you've done wrong, the faint voice that seems to whisper "C, C" before you circle it on a test, or sometimes the voice that snarls nasty things to someone when you yourself look blank. They may be that voice of conscience urging you to eat a banana instead of chocolate. Point is, you've heard them before. The dæmon may not make itself known, because they don't see themselves as separate until you do, but they've always been inside you.




My position on this one changed. I originally said they wouldn't, because every aspect of the animal form (even the thickness of the coat) said something about you. But I think that was too idealistic. The animal itself and other immutable characteristics are enough to give an impression of who you are.

Though they are the minority, some say their dæmon's coat changes with the seasons. I can't imagine this would be the case for someone with a stoat dæmon, for example, because stoat and ermine souls mean slightly different things. But other animals, like wolves, just have thicker coats in Winter and slimmer coats in Summer. This might be a reflection of the person's mood changing ever so slightly depending on the season, or something they do unconsciously because seeing thick fur on their dæmon in the summer heat makes them uncomfortable. But more often the dæmon's coat changes at random and doesn't depend on the weather. This could simply be that it's hard to maintain a constant image of one's dæmon every time you see them. One time their summer coat is the first thing you imagine, another time you imagine it being fit for cold temperatures... and it just stays that way until next you see them. But for some dæmons, the coat's texture noticeably changes with the person's mood. So the coats could reflect an emotional state, which is temporary, since your personality as a whole doesn't change so drastically month to month. Scraggily, loose, and dirty could be appropriate when you're feeling shaken up or unclean, and smooth and glossy when feeling more upbeat. Rookie looks slightly different almost every time I envision him, and I believe this has both to do with my mood at the time, and just what particulars pop into my head first.




(Now, this is assuming dæmons were physical, because naturally a mental constuct cannot be birthed by another mental construct.)

A dæmon isn't born from another dæmon. A person's physical characteristics are determined by gene shuffling from both the parents, sure, but it's not the same way with the child's dæmon, because he or she is not merely a physical extension like an arm or leg. Your soul is something unique to you, and it's not really another soul that gives birth to it. You mold and shape your own self, nature, and personality. (It's true that circumstances might make you feel a certain way at certain times, but I don't believe it affects your true essence.) No one else can "create" your dæmon, even when you're too young to have complete consciousness. (Never mind the obvious dilemma of What if both parents have male dæmons, or the female dæmon isn't around during birth?)

I've always imagined that the dæmon doesn't have a clear shape until the baby's consciousness fully develops. (The ability to feel, think, and react, that is.) So the dæmon wouldn't appear automatically, but still rather early on, such as around their third month of life (about the times babies gain self-awareness). Before then, the baby still has a soul, so maybe the dæmon is just visible as some vague form always nearby.

And the dæmon's first form...? It probably just reflects however the child feels at the moment, or is the last animal they saw.

It's also believed that young children have young dæmons, meaning the animal forms they take are that of young animals. For example, a toddler's dæmon would be a cub, not an adult grizzly. Even when they're seven or eight, the animals will most likely be juveniles. This reflects how the soul is young and inexperienced. Like their human, they've only recently entered the world. Plus, can you imagine how awkward it would be to see a baby with a full-grown tiger dæmon? o.O

Edit: There's also been a popular theory around the community called the "blob theory." It states that before taking an animal form, an infant's dæmon would be a colored, indistinct blob, and this entity would compromise the dæmon's internal environment later on. For example, if your "blob" were like blue mist, your dæmon's insides would look the same. These insides are unique like the dæmon's form and say something about your core self.




The answer is no. Your dæmon's intuition and your own can help create the image of someone else's dæmon in animal form, but you are not truly seeing them, even if you know what animal it is. If dæmons could see one another as bright as day, I would've noticed by now, seeing as I speak with Rookie all the time. =P We can only envision them in our mind's eye, but unlike with our own dæmon, we cannot be sure about what the other dæmon would be saying or doing. Only its human would know.




Yes, it can.  But make sure to note that a wolf pup dæmon says different things about a person's soul than an adult wolf dæmon would, and so on.  A dæmon settling in the form of a young animal generally means that person is very innocent, in the sense that they lack the capacity to injure or lack worldliness... Perhaps they are forever naive about the world.  A young dæmian is likely to be very inquisitive, open (but also shy), and enthusiastic.  They act as a child and may not seem to be as self-conscious or self-aware as you'd expect from an adult. As with any other form, an analysis of that young animal would give you a more rounded idea of what the form means. Some young animals are independent from birth; some are protected and some are extremely vulnerable; some are quick learners and others more hesitant to explore. Now, obviously a dæmon settling in such a form isn't common, but I've heard of it happening before.

Edit: I wanted to point out that even a dæmon settled as a young animal can age. The animal may fit their personality overall, but the form's youth reflects things about them at the time. They will probably continue to mature and grow wiser - maybe even lose that innocence in response to the world - and when they're an adult, their dæmon will reflect this by no longer being a puppy, kitten, or whatever. It's even possible for the form to look elederly, such as some gray on the muzzle. I think Zed explained this well when she said, 'My dad's dæmon is a black dog, somewhat like a Labrador, and I always envision her as slightly greying around the muzzle and a little aged. To me, that represents the wisdom, calmness and experience that comes with age and that my dad has acquired over a lifetime, rather than a negative detereoration of mind or a cranky, tired-out mindset. Her eyes are still bright and she still moves with relative ease, so that could be an indicator of the fact that my dad hasn't lost hold of his youth at all. So yes, I think that dæmons can age over the course of someone's life, but that they age in accordance with the person's mental state, rather than their physical state, and that it's not always negative to have a more elderly-looking dæmon.'




Settling happens to everyone (except maybe people with serious physiological problems). Can you imagine how someone must be if they're past adolescence and their dæmon still hasn't settled? It would mean their personality isn't consistent enough for it to be described, and that it's constantly changing and molding into a different persona - being altered by outside influences. They haven't become the person they were destined to be. I still see Rookie "change" even now that he's settled, but that doesn't mean we aren't settled, because settling is a mental state. Dæmons settle.  It's a part of life and a part of growing up.

The second question doesn't have a definite answer.  It's different for everyone, but the range is mostly between the preteen years and early adulthood.  "But aren't dæmons supposed to settle at puberty?"  Yes, this was written in The Golden Compass, but you have to remember that dæmons aren't physical in our world.  Rather than being a physical thing like reaching puberty, it's all mental because our dæmons are mental. If a dæmon hasn't settled yet, it means that person's self isn't completely settled yet. They are still susceptible to change at a deep level. It may take some time, but the dæmon will settle when the time's right, and that time is different for everyone.




I rarely feel the pull anymore, because I know it's impossible for Rookie to leave me. He is always inside me, no matter how far away my eyes envision him. I don't think that terrible feeling when your dæmon "pulls" is because they're far away from you, because they aren't. It's just from the thought of them being far from you, which for many is bad enough."  So the answer is technically no, but that doesn't mean you can't feel as though it's happening.




If you're talking about in Lyra's world, the answer is 'Yes, of course.' That's just one of the disadvantages to having a corporeal soul: it's tangible, vulnerable, and can get injured. In our own world, dæmons can injure one another, but it's more symbolic than anything. Rookie's three scars are like slash marks from leopard claws, as if the person's dæmon struck him in the face. I believe the dæmon's true location is inside us, so the leopard didn't technically hit him - it's just a way of showing 'She is the one who hurt me.' It was symbolic of my being hurt by that person.

In short, a cut can represent you being hurt emotionally, and I've seen proof that a scar on your dæmon represents an emotional scar. And like a real scar, they can heal with time. Our own scars are hardly visible anymore because we're past the event that made them.




There's no one way to figure this out, but here's my best advice:  First of all, you need to be able to see him or her.  If you haven't been able to yet, you might want to read the answer to 'Can you see your dæmon?' and numbers 2 and 3 here.  An important point to remember is that you must imagine your dæmon's physical body to learn what animals they turn into, and consequentially, which forms feel comfortable and which are mere vanity. Too many people assume right away that their dæmon is settled and they need to figure out what creature it is right away or the universe will implode!!  Really, relax.  Don't worry about settling if your dæmon constantly changes shape (which is the case for most dæmlings).  This clearly means he or she isn't ready to have a fixed form yet, and trying to determine its settled form this early will only put stress on you both. Being unsettled is a unique, temporary state, so treasure it while you can.

Dæmons may frequently try out new animal forms, and could even cling to a certain form for a couple days straight.  Most of the time their human will proclaim that they're settled because of this, only to have the dæmon change again a few days later.  A settled dæmon has one true shape for the rest of your life.  It's best to not think of your dæmon as settled unless they've stuck with the same form so long you can't imagine them as anything else.  Once you feel that your dæmon is very likely settled, research the form to see if it fits you well.  I've never known a person to say, "My dæmon is settled as [some animal], but it doesn't describe me at all."  It also wouldn't hurt to ask for the opinions of friends.  But if your dæmon doesn't know what to become at all, it's alright to flip through a wildlife book and choose a 'starting form.' Sometimes a person's eyes will land on an animal and they'll just 'know' their dæmon was meant to be that.  But you can't really know till it's been tested.  Overall: Have patience.  You'll know in time.

Edit: I should also mention that it will likely be obvious to you when it occurs. For most settling is a gradual process that takes time to become clear, but for others, they know their dæmon's settled the moment it happens (i.e. the moment they've accepted it): It fills them with such joy and a sense of completeness. As K's dæmon said, everything feels perfect and right. ^^




I've never drifted from Rookie for a period of time, so I can only give you what seems like the most logical advice, and not speak from experience.  First of all, remember that you can't "lose" your dæmon.  Whether or not you see or directly speak to yours, they will always be with you... they'll always be a part of you.  Your dæmon can never be taken from you.

I'd strongly suggest that you begin envisioning their body again, if you want that relationship back.  Even if it feels forced, you need to be reminded of their presence and get used to seeing them naturally again.  When you're just sitting on a couch or in a desk, or laying down on your bed, imagine them next to you.  Watch them react to your thoughts and feelings.  Imagine what their fur would feel like if you gently stroked their head.  I just think it's best to start off with the visual/physical portion of the bond, so that you remember what it's like for them to be "separate."

You are one.  If you desperately want to speak with your dæmon, they wants to speak with you, too.  Pay close attention to the way your thoughts progress, because often a dæmon will give advice or a quick comment without the person noticing, but if you do realize a certain thought originated in them, it's a good way to start up a conversation.  Or instead of waiting for such a moment, you could just ask them a simple question directly.  "Hey, what do you think about this?" should be enough.  Don't force the words... stay relaxed, and see them beside you and let their thoughts flow to you naturally.  This might be reiterating, but you can't misunderstand your dæmon.  They are not a mystery to you; they are part of who you are.  If you think they said a certain thing, then you heard correctly, and all is well.  ^^ Times of stress may weaken your bond, but you'll come out of it together if you try.




I've seen this asked a few times and figured I might as well voice my opinion on it.  We can't say for sure, but this is my take on it:

I believe that, generally, they do not.  Humans have genitals to urinate and reproduce, as do animals.  That is their sole physical function.  But dæmons do neither of those things, so such body parts would serve no purpose.  A dæmon is never going to need to mate or release waste of any sort, because they aren't wild animals and they don't eat or drink.  I don't think anyone has ever checked between their dæmon's legs to figure out their gender.  It's quite obvious just by knowing your dæmon - their voice, temperament, personality, and being tell you very clearly if they're male or female.  I imagine some male dæmons with sheaths, because even neutered animals have this, but nothing else.  And it's not out of embarrassment or modesty I say this.  Never ever have I seen my Rookie with external genitalia, and even if I try, I know it's an inaccurate representation of him.

I honestly feel that lack of reproductive organs is the one visual cue that could distinguish dæmon from animal, (if one's gut instinct weren't enough).  Dæmons are not an animal - they are a representation of one, so genitals really wouldn't add anything to the symbolism if you already know what gender your dæmon is. And that's the distinction: Dæmons have a gender, not a sex. Their essence and personality may lean more towards either masculine or feminine, but this denotes gender, not a physical sex. Because what matters to us is their personality, and we tend to categorize that into either male or female, but it would not necessitate the functioning parts.

But it may just be a personal view that makes me feel genitals would take something spiritual away from the dæmon.  I think that with them, they would put a person more in mind of a simple beast driven by instincts, rather than someone's lovely soul.

But on the other hand... since dæmons aren't physical in our world, there may just be no correct answer.  It's possible that the question of genitalia differs from dæmon to dæmon, depending on how the human projects their body.  For me it's right when I see my dæmon without them, but for another who does, that might be right for their dæmon. It takes all types.




As mentioned more than once on this page alone, you can probably tell what they don't do.  =P

As for what they might do... Well, it depends on the situation.  If the person's having intercourse just for physical pleasure, the dæmon will not interact with the other dæmon, but they'll still appear to be enjoying themselves immensely (e.g. nuzzling the bedspread, smiling, rolling around, purring or making other sounds, basically looking like a cat hyped up on catnip).  If the person is not enjoying themselves and the dæmon disapproves of the encounter, they will probably sit off to the side, generally looking unhappy.  But if the two are having intercourse as an expression of love, the dæmons are then likely to interact -- nuzzling, licking, and laying with each other.

An idea that my boyfriend brought to light also appeals to me...  It's possible (in our world) that when two soul mates make love, their dæmons meld together for a moment and become part of one another.  At that time, no distinction can be made between the two souls because they are so close.  The joining of the dæmons would be a beautiful moment of symbolism.

But note that unless you project your dæmon during sex (and I'm sure few do), your dæmon technically does nothing. And whatever you and your dæmon imagine them doing is as real as real can get for them, be it nuzzling or copying their humans.




The answer to this varies from person to person. Since the dæmon's form has to be imagined, you can still imagine the dæmon "changing" even after you are settled. In a perfect world the dæmon being settled would mean the form is settled, too, but since they aren't physical, it's not always that simple. Rookie has been settled for almost a year now, but he still becomes something else every day, even if for a short period of time. Still, he is the definition of settled. If that's confusing, think of it this way: The dæmon doesn't settle, YOU do. The animal form that best represents you is the one best suited to your dæmon, and probably the one that's easiest to envision them as. But why does a dæmon settle? It's because you've grown into your own, so to speak. You're not so radically influenced by the world around you. Your personality, overall, won't go through any more changes. Your beliefs, hobbies, and ideas may change, but your dæmon will still represent you best, deep down. And even if your temperament and other traits do change, it's likely the animal will reflect this as well, e.g. male lions becoming more lethargic and raccoons more surly. And while the dæmon's personality is fixed, the visual form is whatever you make it out to be.

Rookie is a changeling. This is partly because it can be easier to envision Japoro than the black coyote, as I haven't yet found a good picture of a black coyote that looks like him. Rather than get frustrated that my coyote isn't looking particularly coyote-esque, or choosing to not envision him, I imagine him in another form that comes naturally. It is also for convenience, since some spaces don't fit a girl and coyote very well. It can also be unconscious on my part, such as seeing an attractive and unfamiliar animal so that the image is plastered in my mind, and when I go to envision Rookie, it's what first pops up.

But my dæmon is settled. This is something I know full well. No other creature screams 'Rookie' like the black coyote. No other animal fits me in such detail that it's creepy at times. ;) I could be nothing else; I am nothing else. The dæmon settling is much more than the dæmon not changing anymore. (Sometimes a dæmon can stay in a form for over half a year, but eventually they change again because that wasn't the right form.) You should know if they're changing because you're uncomfortable with their "settled" form, or just because it's out of habit. Look for the answer inside yourself.




The following explanation is (partially) taken from my reply to a poll, wherein the question was 'Is it possible for dæmons to take human form'?:

I voted No. I mean, our dæmons aren't physical, in case anyone forgot. We imagine their bodies. We can see ours as a human, a rock, a plant... anything we want! So why even bother making a poll? The question is, could they settle as a human? I strongly believe the answer is no. Like Li said on one of the boards, they probably couldn't become a being with true self-awareness like us, which also excludes forms like centaurs, anthros, and angels, (As, in theory, these creatures would have a dæmon themselves, not be one, and their personalities would be too varied to be generalized and analyzed.)

Whereas animals can be analyzed through their habits, temperament, and their symbolism, every human is too different from every other - we react and behave in completely unrelated ways. We stereotype animals and make them represent certain traits in our culture, but we don't do that to our own kind (unless you count cliques). A human cannot be defined by another human. You couldn't just consider your dæmon's actions, either, because it's the form that's supposed to reflect you -- their attitude just balances you out, same with any other dæmon. That you are a human is a given; the dæmon is supposed to reflect what kind of human you are.

Saying one's dæmon is settled as a human is comparable to saying your totem's a human, or you're a human therian. It's contradictory, it doesn't make sense. As my friend Mairéad put it: "But the way I've always thought of it is; what would be the point of having a human dæmon? A dæmon takes a form in order to make a statement about the human it is representing; a deer says 'I can be shy', a big cat often says 'I am independant' etc etc. But the human part of yourself is already well represented because you are a human. It's like painting yourself red and then believing it necessary to wander around with a big sign that says "I AM RED"."

"Why does it matter?" you might ask. Well, it doesn't have to. There are no 'have to's with dæmons. But it's the popular belief that one's dæmon will take a form that is analyzable, and this form is your perfect match. You are free to call your dæmon a 'settled human,' but it would not fit under the experience of what we call a dæmon. Human forms may make great comfort forms, we just don't believe they can function as the settled, metaphorical one. But the dæmon itself is always more important than the form, so if it works for you, that is fine by us.




The answer is no. They probably won't be any more alike than the dæmons of other siblings. The one example I can think of is Cat and Jen. Cat is a guinea pig, Jen is a chihuahua. No real similarity there. Fraternal twins were just in the mother at the same time. They didn't come from the same zygote (fertilized egg), so they aren't genetically identical. They are their own person 100%, so there's no reason why the dæmons should be alike. Identical twins have the same set of genes, so they're physically identical, but appearances don't determine the settled form. People aren't so black and white. They'll grow up to have different interests, different attitudes, different talents... Their personalities, even if similar, will be noticeably different. I'd be far more surprised if the dæmons were identical than if they weren't. Try to think of twins you know personally. Are they such clones of one another that you can imagine them having near identical souls? Probably not.




No, it couldn't be that easy. Too many animals are aggressive when forced together. In theory, that would also mean someone with a prey dæmon is afraid of everyone they meet with a predator dæmon. Obviously we don't live in a constant state of fear like that! I have a coyote dæmon, and my husband's a lioness. If put together, I'm sure a lion would eat a coyote, since they eat dead jackals. But that doesn't make me scared of him. No, I find that most often our feelings towards someone reflect OUR feelings for that animal. For example, I like Fennec foxes, so I like my friend with a Fennec fox dæmon. I like corgis, and I adore a character with a corgi dæmon. I'd probably find someone with a tarantula dæmon to be creepy and unattractive. ^^; But sometimes the personality a form represents matters more than the animal itself. Example: Maybe someone loves gray foxes, but they find the person they know with a gray fox dæmon to be annoying. Why? Because they're arrogant, and in some that is a fox trait. I didn't used to like lions, so this is the opposite case. It turns out I like the lioness personality, so I now have a greater respect and love for that animal. =)

Note that a person with a certain dæmon will likely react to others as though they were "also that animal," rather than it being inter-species. Bobcats don't hang around other bobcats often, and thus bobcat souls are solitary. Coyotes live in a hierarchy with their fellow coyotes, and will thus view some companions are dominant and others as subordinates. It doesn't matter if the superior is a rat soul or a sparrow soul, it only matters if they have a dominant, aggressive personality. People forget that prey animals sometimes need to be fierce to survive, unlike the untouchable predators. Don't expect a mouse to be a meek personality, because they might turn out to be one of the toughest kids you know.




It certainly is. As explained in a previous answer, "being settled" means your identity is the real you - your personality is no longer influenced by outside influences like it was when you were a child. So you are the one who settles. Your dæmon reflects this with an animal form that best suits who you've become over the years. And because the dæmon is intangible, knowing their true form isn't always effortless. It's possible for you to be settled while still not realizing what animal your dæmon should be. Usually the right form presents itself even before you are settled, but biases and wants might block you from considering the right form. It could be an animal you've never seen before (this doesn't stop some dæmons), one you know little about, etc. But it's perfectly valid to state you're settled while your dæmon isn't.




I use the term 'dæmon' because it was His Dark Materials that led me to meeting Rookie and realizing how much he means to me. Also, our dæmons follow some of the basic rules laid out in HDM, such as changing when we're younger and eventually settling, being a constant companion and guide, often being the opposite sex, acting as our conscience, etc. But Pullman didn't sit down and think about real-life applications for his creation. There are a lot of unanswered questions about dæmons in Lyra's world. It's an imperfect idea. But we know our dæmons and have thought long and hard about their existence. Plus, the idea of dæmons/daimons has been around for many centuries. It could be said that Pullman was the most accurate in describing their nature thus far. Or (if you don't believe in dæmon absolutes), Pullman's version of dæmons is merely what we prefer and have chosen to experience. 'Dæmon' is what we call them because dæmons are most like what they are.

You don't need to read HDM to know your dæmon. It just helps in giving one a basic idea of what they are. But this site may explain them more thuroughly than Pullman's books, which is fine, because in his story they were a fictional element. Ours are a part of our psyche, and thus more real than fiction.

Your dæmon will not follow all the rules of Pullman's dæmons, so don't try to live by them. In Lyra's world things are simplistic, such as the dæmon settling at puberty, dæmons only being able to take certain forms... Real dæmons aren't constricted in this fashion.

But the truth is, we wouldn't think about dæmons the way we do without Phillip Pullman. Those who've read HDM and want to reseach dæmons will type in dæmon. If I used a different term they wouldn't find fellow believers. That's a good enough reason to use it right there.




This happened to me. My problem was solved when I realized one of those just wasn't possible as a settled form, i.e. a cartoon critter. So that narrowed it down to one, and that animal turned out to be just right. I suggest you sit down and make a list. Note why the one form fits you, and why the other one does, too. But also take the time to consider why they might not fit. Maybe there's a key trait for one of the animals that just isn't you, and you know this trait would be found in someone with that dæmon. If a simple list isn't enough, try asking people you know which animal they see you as. (Preferably people who understand the dæmon concept. If you ask friends who don't, their guesses can be way off.) Of course this isn't fool-proof, but in most cases loved ones will be right.

If no matter what things just seem split down the middle, your answer is time. Eventually you will know which form you're more comfortable with, which fits you on the deepest level. And despite your initial belief, the settled form could be neither animal you've narrowed it down to, so don't give up the search when you come to a dead end.




The dæmon cannot be smarter than you (when it comes to earthly knowledge) because they are confined to your mind and have only experienced what you have in life. If you know something, they know it, and if they learned something, you also know it deep down. I believe, however, that the dæmon acts as a partial link to our subconscious, and thus may be quicker to retrieve supressed knowledge than we are. They reside more closely to that part of our memory which remains buried. So my dæmon and I both know it, he just says it before I can fully realize it myself. The dæmon may also appear wiser because while we're caught up in a moment, they are unaffected in any direct way and can "stand back" - be objective. (I find that however much I want Rookie to say what I wanna hear, he'll be honest, even if sympathetic.) It makes us look like the crazy emotional one and them the rational thinker. =P This may be why we call them our conscience; if they were too subjective or irrational in our times of need this wouldn't the case.




The answer to this is no. I think it's safe to say dæmons don't have a sexuality, since they aren't capable of engaging in sexual activity. (No physical body, no hormones, and no reproductive organs.) But still, a dæmon can obviously be attracted to another dæmon. And if your partner is of the opposite sex, then their dæmon is likely the opposite sex of your dæmon, so it's not a same-sex relationship. (Like my dæmon is male, my husband's is female.) But from what research I've done, even if the other dæmon happened to be the same gender as yours, your dæmon likely wouldn't care. They would still love that other soul anyway; it's not a physical relationship, it's a deep-felt, emotional one. It's solely based on true love. My dæmon has commented on attractive guys before, but that was just him voicing my own thoughts. Basically, their love for your partner is probably unconditional and profound, but it's your partner's dæmon that their romantic feelings will be directed towards. My dæmon loves my husband, but he's in love with his dæmon. =)




First off, if your dæmon's the natural color for whichever animal, the color shouldn't mean anything when analyzed by itself. It's not the orange that's significant, it's the tiger. Plus, an analysis of the color orange may be contradictory to one of a tiger. And completely different animals behavior-wise can have similar coats. (Tiger and fox, for example.) The color is only worth analyzing if it's atypical/unusual for that animal. Examples of this would be melanism (black coat) and albinism (white coat). Basically, this says that the form suits you, but the unique color makes it even more accurate.

My own dæmon is a melanistic coyote, whereas a typical one would be multi-colored. I find that a melanistic dæmon usually indicates a person who avoids the spotlight, is more solitary, quiet, enigmatic, sarcastic, etc. So maybe you see why this can't be the case for every black dæmon out there. Crows are naturally black, yet gregarious in nature. On the other hand, in my mind white is for someone cleanly, polite, artistic, optimistic, etc. It's more about getting a sense for the animal's aura than something objective or concrete.

So to reiterate, if your dæmon's appearance is uncommon, this is because it helps the form better represent you. Like coyote was my perfect match, just maybe too showy and sociable. It's up to you to figure out what the color or colors say about you. What emotions and traits would you associate with it? How would an animal this color morph be affected in the wild? But if you desire an objective opinion, there are plenty of color analysis websites out there - but your own conclusions will probably fit better.




Being that your dæmon is you, it doesn't make sense that they'd love someone and you not. The dæmon will often reflect your true feelings even if you try to ignore them. It's possible that your dæmon could be attracted to the personality of another dæmon without you liking their human, but unlikely. And if it's the human directly your dæmon's keen on, there's no denying that somewhere deep down you share that feeling. Sometimes we just like people when we wish we didn't.




I'm afraid there's no foolproof test for this, and the answer's different for everyone. One option is time. If your dæmon can stay in a form for months without changing, they may very well be settled. But I've known people who stick with one form for a year and more, and even then their dæmon changes unexpectedly. I don't think the reason is they fooled themselves for so long, but that the one animal suited them at the time, but they've matured and become someone different, so that the form doesn't fit perfectly anymore. You have to understand that who you are as a preteen, maybe even thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, is not who you'll be when you're older and have to be truly independent. You'll be exposed to things that may change how you relate to peers, or your work ethic, or may even change you on a very fundamental level. Looking back, most young adults wonder, 'What was I thinking?' They cannot empathize with the young them anymore. So if you meet your dæmon when still far from graduating, you may come across a form that fits and declare yourself settled, but later feel that something's wrong. It's okay to experiment.

You can't go purely by analysis either. The words on a page might fit you to a T, but remember that an analysis is just one person's interpretation of a form - it can't possibly cover everything there is to know about that personality, or what the form would mean to you personally. While one analysis might fit you 'perfectly,' it's just one portion of the whole and this only means it fits on a superficial level. But the settled form will fit you in more ways than one. The animal should suit you, but also feel comfortable and right. You should discover in day-to-day life all the ways the form works, which means you don't merely have to take the analysis at face value.

You should believe you can be content with that form for the rest of your life. If you're trying to cling to a cool form for purely vain or selfish reasons, you'll know it. My own settled form makes me feel content, because I can see the beauty in it, and the pride of everything I like about myself, but also my downfalls. You should be able to look at the animal and accept the full gamut of what you are (but that doesn't mean giving up on improving). It's a process that for some takes much time and honesty. Don't be too hard on yourself, because eventually you and your dæmon will get there.




No. Personally, I refer to dæmonism as a concept. The community prefers to call it a philosophy, but even that is a loose definition. It's just a helpful way to organize your thoughts and experience your mental life. Knowing your dæmon is just a state of being. Rather than asking yourself question after question, you can split these words into a dialogue; instead of feeling alone you can feel comforted by your own strength; instead of feeling unoriginal you can discover a unique way to see what makes you you. But this philosophy does not have a holy book. Everyone has their own views on it. One need not be religious to know their dæmon. Plenty of atheists speak to their dæmon as another aspect of their psyche, or a useful mental construct. Whether or not someone sees the dæmon as something "spiritual" is up to them. Knowing your dæmon does not explain what is moral, how you should live your life, or why we're here. The dæmon may strengthen your religious views, but again, it'll be different for everyone. Agnostics, atheists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Satanists, Wiccans... they can all be dæmians, because this philosophy doesn't conflict with religion. It's as simple as choosing to view another side of yourself as an animal.

We're not a cult either. We're not trying to brainwash anyone (or turn them away from their religion as the above shows). We have no rites or ceremonies. Though I'll admit this definition somewhat suits us: a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. We all adore our dæmons, but know they are not something to be put on a pedestal and worshiped. The dæmon, at the core, is us. Just that special and just that ordinary.

...though on full moons we drink chicken's blood.




The original theory (way back when) was that a same-sex dæmon indicated a bi or homosexual person. But throughout the years the community has come across more "exceptions" than rules, so clearly that theory was shot out the window. No one knows for sure what causes a dæmon of the same sex, but it's likely different for everyone. Don't worry; it doesn't mean you're hiding some deep dark secret from yourself. Your dæmon is the same sex because that's what comes naturally for you, and is best for the two of you. Maybe you feel more comfortable hearing the voice of that gender, or being close to that gender, or any number of things. Most people asked about this could not tell you why, but they will tell you it's fine with them.




No. Everyone only has one dæmon. Think about it logically. Can a person have two souls, two consciences? It is the dæmon's nature to be singular. One is plenty sufficient and able to mold into anything you need. The dæmon represents our very nature, and does so deftly with a single form. Two dæmons would just give a mixed message, and yours isn't there to confuse you or argue with itself. We have found in the instances where a person has two "dæmons," the two personalities will eventually balance out into one and become the true dæmon. Other times one of these personalities is what we consider the dæmon, while the other is something different - maybe a soul guide, totem, or just a general headmate. They might both be important to their human, but one is a distinct bond that goes beyond fun and friendship.




No we don't, and for very simple reasons. People with MPD do not 'hear voices.' People who suffer from MPD experience this other "person" taking over their behavior, and may lose that moment in their memory. Dæmons do not control you or cause you to forget things you've done. Some individuals may try to bring the dæmon's consciousness forward so that their impulses are more in charge of the body, (in order for the dæmon to write or type), but this is a willful act of the person, and they don't lose control of themselves during it. Someone with MPD has different personalities to deal with different situations. A dæmian may have the voice of their dæmon always there to guide them, but they don't change mentally into a different identity. MPD is a very harmful disorder and results in physical symptoms that are in no way comparable to one speaking to their dæmon, such as depression, anxiety, headaches, eating disorders, etc. Funnily enough, some dæmons would help their human overcome such conditions. It would take our dæmons possessing us then erasing our memory of it for us to have something comparable to MPD, but that's not the case. So in short, the dæmon may be another side to your personality (the side we don't always wish to know), but it does not constitute MPD.

No, we do not have schizophrenia either. If you think we do, you do not understand the definition of schizophrenia. =) But to clarify the similarities, some schizophrenics experience hallucinations, which you may think is comparable to envisioning one's dæmon. But the dæmon is not anything as uncontrollable, concrete, and delusional as a hallucination. While we may see the dæmon's form unimpeded, we are perfectly capable of not seeing or hearing them if we wish. We understand that their forms are imagined. Another symptom of schizophrenia is social isolation. Yes, some dæmians are loners, but guess what? Plenty of extroverts know their dæmons, too. Corralation does not imply causation.




Of course it depends on the individual, but those I know with aquatic dæmons, when not near a body of water, merely imagine their dæmon "swimming" in the air beside them. Others will picture their dæmon in water in their head (headspace). Simple as that.




Well it's a good thing you found this FAQ! Reason being that dæmons don't require a "belief," per se. There's nothing to believe in, because your dæmon isn't an external force that you have to believe in the existence of. They're not an independent spirit residing in your body. They're just you. Knowing your dæmon means choosing to prescribe a personality, gender, and form to a part of your mind, to the point where it becomes habit (a useful, fulfilling habit). When we say you and everyone else already has a dæmon, we are referring to that part of yourself that constitutes the dæmon. If you chose to "meet" them, there is already a certain gender, voice, and such they would be destined to have, because it's what works best for you. As my pal Winger so eloquently put it,

"Also, so others have said before, what's there to prove? What do we need to have faith in? To say "I don't believe in your daemon" would be like saying "I don't believe in your ability to talk to yourself and apply a name and form to that part of yourself", which makes about as much sense as saying "I don't believe you can walk". If I'm doing it, what's to disbelieve? xD"




Depends on who you ask. As for me, I see nothing anti-Christian about speaking to a part of myself that is loving, encouraging, honest, and logical. If you are truly a believing Christian, that makes your dæmon one as well, as their beliefs cannot differ from yours on something as significant as religion. All the Christians I know would tell you their dæmon not only shares in their belief, but some have made that person a stronger Christian than they ever were before. For some just knowing their dæmon enriches their belief in God, for they must give Him praise for having given them such a precious gift. Also, it is perfectly logical to us that dæmons would represent that which makes us separate from the animals: the self-awareness, reason, and soul that would make us God's children and not mere animals. My own dæmon is a very respectable Christian. He loves to sing praises to God, often prays on my behalf, and just generally keep me on the Good Path. Christian dæmons share your morals, and I often find Rookie keeping me aware of God's will if I'm doing something I shouldn't. For many dæmians, their furry friend acts as a conscience, and for me that conscience is a godly one.

The only problem I can see skeptics genuinely having is that confiding in your dæmon will make you less dependent on God, and in that sense may weaken your relationship with Him. Here's what I'd say to that, taken from an email I sent someone with a site proclaiming that it's a fault to ever trust your own intuition (i.e. dæmon):

"First off, it troubles me that you seem so against people following "their will," even if this will is in accord with what God Himself would wish. If my daemon (who often acts as my conscience) tells me to not hurt someone's feelings, is it wrong to follow his advice because I didn't first bring the problem to God? Should I not follow my parents' advice because they could be leading me down a wicked path, even though their opinions seem perfectly sound and have always been so in the past? God gave us intellect - He gave us reason. It is a marvelous gift that none but ourselves can boast. I believe it an insult to God to throw this by the waste-side and instead turn to Him for every trivial decision in my life. If my daemon had ever told me to do awful things, I would be worried. But he has always done his best to lead me down the righteous path, and becomes upset if ever I feel like condemning the Bible or my religion (and I have). As Cat said, this would be the perfect opportunity for Satan to turn a soul away from Christ. Instead my Rannock is always steadfast in his faith and in doing so helps me see the light and turn back to God. While it's true that Satan is called the Master of Lies, and that deception is a complex thing... Rannock has never done anything to suggest he's anything but the Christian he claims to be, so what reason do I have to suspect otherwise? In the past eight years he has never tempted me to do evil. Maybe he's just preparing for a large pitfall decades down the road, but if I said that about your dearest friend, you'd probably find the idea illogical, too. In truth we cannot be sure ANYONE isn't just a minion of Satan, but isn't that where faith and reason come into play? And besides, if we can't use our own reason to determine God's will, we're quite lost, aren't we? .....

Lastly, I want to discuss Scripture's take on consciences. Can our conscience lead us astray? Yes - sometimes - but the Bible is also clear on good consciences, or the type that are "void of offense toward God" (Acts 24:16). Seeing as my daemon always encourages me towards actions that are in accord with God's will, I feel confident in saying my conscience is such a one. Paul says that every man has a conscience, and rightly so, because how could we determine right from wrong without that which we call a conscience? Our conscience can be desensitized if we fail to listen to it, even to the extent that we become morally blind, stumbling around in moral darkness as John puts it (1 John 2:11).

In 1 Corinthians 4:4, Paul said, "For I know nothing by myself." This phrase means "my conscience does not accuse me." Paul completed the sentence by saying: "yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." Paul, in short, taught that a pure conscience is valuable, but that Christ is the final standard by which a person is judged. And this is what all Christians who know their daemon believe. Our daemons give valuable insight, but they are in no way equal to the Lord, and we do not put our daemons above Him. Paul would have said that a person's conscience must be obeyed. Paul, however, would not have said that a person has no other guide. Him and I agree on this. Given that, why should I neglect my personal conscience if I'm not putting it before God?"




Yeah... Probably should've put this one up ages ago. To make the symbol in HTML you type &-#-230-; but without the dashes. But to get the symbol in everyday typing you hit Alt + 0230 on your number pad. Alt + 145 should also work. Alt + 0198 and Alt + 146 get you Æ. &-#-198-; will get you Æ in HTML. And by the way, the symbol is called an 'ash' in English, and is a letter from the Old English alphabet. In Classical Latin it usually denoted the long i sound, making dæmon pronounced die-mon. But in modern times the ash is often simplified to just an 'e,' making dæmon demon.




I am not a therian myself, nor do I really have any spirit guides, but I do know many such people, so please bare with me.

For the more spiritual therians, they believe that they have some spiritual connection with their animal phenotype, or even that they were this animal in a past life. Some might even believe their animal currently walks the earth, or exists in some other plane of existence, and they have an undefineable connection with this individual which enables them to see through their eyes in dreams if not when waking. Non-spiritual therians will likely tell you they 'indentify' as their animal phenotype. Many feel that at a core level they are this animal and feel trapped in their human body. Many feel the whiskers, paws, or tail that aren't physically there. At times they might feel the stress or aggression of their animal side overtake their humanness. They might feel a sort of kinship with their animal phenotype and believe these animals feel drawn to them. All in all therians feel that something about them isn't quite human. Whether they explain it metaphysically or psychologically, they "are" an animal.

Dæmians do not believe they are an animal, and this key difference separates us from therians. For example, I am not a coyote. I don't dream that I'm a coyote, I don't act like a wild animal, and I don't feel that I'm as much canine as girl. I am human. I envision my dæmon as a coyote because coyote is the best animal symbol for who I am and how I act. My coyote side is a metaphor, not something connecting me to real animals. I identify with coyotes through analysis of their traits and how they transfer to human traits, but I would not say I am a coyote unless I meant it as shorthand for "my dæmon is a coyote." Also note that a therian's phenotype and their dæmon's form are very rarely identical. Someone can identify as a wolf therian without being highly social, etc. I know a wolf therian with a guinea pig dæmon, to give an idea of the variations. Therianism is not determined by how you act so much as how you define your identity as a person... or non-person, as the case may be.

The issue of totems is simpler. Basically, people with totems believe their totems aren't dependent on their minds as dæmons are. Totems are believed to be some sort of external spiritual force aiding the human and acting in their lives. They might believe their totem is a 'ghost' or a spirit that never lived, but either way it is an entity called upon, and supposedly they believe it would exist even if the person didn't recognize their existence. But dæmons are not exernal or independent of us. The dæmon is not an animal spirit, but a part of your own consciousness projected in animal form. (They're in animal form because it comes most naturally, or because we choose for them to be. Note that your dæmon can be seen as a human or refridgerator if you so desire.) If we die, our dæmon dies with us. And while totems come primarily in dreams or during meditation, your dæmon is constantly there with you and doesn't require any special trance to communicate with. Totems also tend to be silent and guide merely through their presence and symbolism, while dæmons are often talkative lil' buggers (or if not yappers, they aren't completely mute either). You can know your dæmon whilst also having multiple totems or spirit guides. They're not the same thing.