How Do You Do This Dæmon Thing?

...So what do I do?

There are some instructions listed on TDP and other resources. They mostly emphasis on listening to 'the voice in the back of your head' and using some simple imagination. But everytime you try it feels forced and like...



Nothing's there!

That's a common notion! You've spent your life thinking as one 'whole' and not paying attention to much of the mental chatter that goes on inside your head. This is a skill, not just something you can quickly master. To start - if they need a name, give them one. Go with your gut, if it's unsuitable later down the road: you'll find a better fitting one. Go crazy! My own Frith started out as 'Shoe' because I thought it was a great dæmon name. ;)


There is no magic gimmick to hearing your dæmon. You have been hearing them your whole life. Once you get it down, it's generally not that hard. If you really analyze what you're thinking, there's usually more than one thing going on at once.

For instance: gut thoughts. "I should have put down B for number 14." "When I get home I just want to sleep." "Wow Karen's being a b---- today." You know, those lovely little qualms of stating the obvious your brain prattles off throughout the day. Hone in on that. Recognize the second party thought: and boom, vocal dæmon.



At it's core, it's Navi fairy like. ;)

It's simple to understand that - but another thing to actually practice it. For most people, practice is what really gets it down for them. It's easy to get distracted by our hectic lives filled with school, working, dishes, and commutes. If they need a name, just give them one. If it doesn't end up working out you'll always find that 'right' one, so no need to get hung up on it!

When you have a few minutes, squeeze in some practice. It could be as simple as just venting to them without expecting a response while you're brushing your teeth in the morning, or asking how they feel about a song that came on while riding to work. These small moments in the day can add up. As more time and communication goes on, the 'personality' can become more defined. When you ask questions, it's best to go with something that isn't yes/no - it gives more room for a response.

As for responses .... I bet you're wondering why sometimes it feels really gross and forced right? Try not to worry about it, new and old hats to this sometimes get that feeling. Work through it and it's sure to fade. Frith's a fan of taking a new form to 'shake the stink out' of those feelings. Just listen to yourself and go with what feels right.


Yeah okay that's wonderful. Now how do I see them?

Easy as pie. First off, don't get in the mindset that everything you visualize is going to be crystal clear. That being said, it's no different than whatever you did when you had an imaginary friend as a child, or when you read a book and you see the image while you're actually reading the words off of a page. Just imagine them there. That's all it takes.

All I have to do is listen to myself think and play pretend?



That's the secret in a nutshell.


> This feels forced
Well no duh! Doing fifty situps for the first time in months feels forced, doing math after summer break feels forced. Keep at it. You're new, or even when you're not so new people get this gross feeling. The best course of action is to just relax and roll with it - having a dæmon take a new form that's more comfortable, or relax and put on some tunes and unwind. Being uptight and wondering if you're doing it right is just going to hinder you.

> My dæmon's voice sounds like my own
Well they're from your head, dingus. If you want them to have their own voice, practice. You're pulling them from nothing, model their voice into one you like and have heard before - or whatever. Like I said, you do the grunt work. They're from your mind. Derp.

> My dæmon did this weird thing, what does it mean?
It means you have an active imagination. If it's something disturbing, or something you feel is significant, look to yourself for answers. Are you feeling more elated, depressed, etc than usual? They're from your mind and will echo you. Sometimes, more than you know.

> What if my dæmon settles in a form I don't like? I really don't want to be a domestic dog/cow/stupid bird?

"But suppose your dæmon settles in a shape you don't like?

Well, then, you're discontented, en't you? There's plenty of folk as'd like to have a lion as a dæmon and they end up with a poodle. And till they learn to be satisfied with what they are, they're going to be fretful about it. Waste of feeling, that is."

We all have our form bias, we want a tiger - a wolf - something that we actually like and have a connection to. Don't push down a form just because it's not something 'you want' - pretending to be something you're not isn't very becoming. ;)

> Where has my dæmon gone!
Nowhere! They're a part of you and can't actually go anywhere! Are you stressed right now? Feeling down or preoccupied? Again, unwind and try again later. Just keep in mind they actually haven't gone anywhere.